Helcim Fees Explained: Complete 2026 Guide (+ How to Pay $0)
Helcim is the rare processor that gets cheaper as you grow—with no monthly fees, no contracts, and automatic volume discounts. Here's exactly what you'll pay.
Helcim uses interchange-plus pricing starting at interchange + 0.40% + 8¢ for in-person and interchange + 0.50% + 25¢ for online transactions. Average effective rates are 1.93% + 8¢ in-person and 2.49% + 25¢ online. There are no monthly fees, no contracts, and no cancellation fees. Volume discounts kick in automatically at $50K+/month.
📋 Table of Contents
What Are Helcim's Fees in 2026?
Helcim is one of the most transparent payment processors in the industry. Unlike Square or Stripe with flat-rate pricing, Helcim passes the actual interchange cost to you and adds a small, fixed markup.
Quick Fee Overview
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| In-person (card present) | Interchange + 0.40% + 8¢ |
| Online/Keyed (card not present) | Interchange + 0.50% + 25¢ |
| ACH bank transfers | 0.5% + 25¢ (max $6) |
| Monthly fee | $0 |
| Setup fee | $0 |
| PCI compliance fee | $0 |
| Cancellation fee | $0 |
| Chargeback fee | $15 (refunded if you win) |
| Returned ACH fee | $5 |
According to Helcim's data, the average effective rate for in-person transactions is 1.93% + 8¢ and for online transactions is 2.49% + 25¢. That's significantly lower than Square (2.6% + 10¢) or Stripe (2.9% + 30¢).
How Interchange-Plus Pricing Works
Understanding interchange-plus is key to understanding why Helcim is often cheaper than flat-rate processors.
The Two Components of Every Transaction
1. Interchange Fee (set by card networks)
This is the "wholesale" cost paid to the customer's bank. It varies by card type, transaction method, and industry. Debit cards cost less than credit cards. Card-present costs less than online. Consumer cards cost less than rewards cards.
2. Helcim's Markup (fixed)
This is what Helcim charges on top of interchange. It's transparent and decreases as your volume increases.
Example Calculation
$100 In-Person Transaction with Consumer Debit Card
Compare to Square: $2.70 (2.6% + 10¢) for the same transaction—a 48% savings with Helcim.
If your customers mostly use premium rewards credit cards (higher interchange), flat-rate pricing can occasionally be cheaper. But for most businesses with a normal card mix, interchange-plus saves 20-40%.
Helcim's Automatic Volume Discounts
Here's what sets Helcim apart: your rates automatically decrease as you process more. No negotiation needed. No calling in. It just happens.
In-Person Transaction Tiers
| Monthly Volume | Helcim Markup |
|---|---|
| $0 - $50,000 | Interchange + 0.40% + 8¢ |
| $50,001 - $100,000 | Interchange + 0.30% + 7¢ |
| $100,001 - $200,000 | Interchange + 0.25% + 7¢ |
| $200,001 - $500,000 | Interchange + 0.20% + 6¢ |
| $500,001+ | Interchange + 0.15% + 6¢ |
Online/Keyed Transaction Tiers
| Monthly Volume | Helcim Markup |
|---|---|
| $0 - $50,000 | Interchange + 0.50% + 25¢ |
| $50,001 - $100,000 | Interchange + 0.40% + 20¢ |
| $100,001 - $200,000 | Interchange + 0.35% + 20¢ |
| $200,001 - $500,000 | Interchange + 0.25% + 15¢ |
| $500,001+ | Interchange + 0.15% + 15¢ |
How it works: Helcim calculates your tier based on a 3-month rolling average. This prevents your rate from jumping around due to a single slow or busy month.
How Much Does Helcim Actually Cost? (Real Examples)
Let's see what real businesses pay with Helcim's interchange-plus pricing.
Example 1: Retail Store
Monthly sales: $25,000 • Transactions: 500 • Avg ticket: $50 • Card mix: 60% debit, 40% credit
With Square at 2.6% + 10¢: $700/month. Helcim saves $185/month ($2,220/year).
Example 2: Online Business
Monthly sales: $50,000 • Transactions: 800 • Avg ticket: $62.50 • All online
With Stripe at 2.9% + 30¢: $1,690/month. Helcim saves $265/month ($3,180/year).
Example 3: High-Volume Restaurant
Monthly sales: $150,000 • Transactions: 4,000 • Tier: Interchange + 0.25% + 7¢
With Square at 2.6% + 10¢: $4,300/month. Helcim saves $1,170/month ($14,040/year).
Helcim Fees vs. Other Payment Processors
How does Helcim stack up against the competition?
| Processor | In-Person | Online | Monthly Fee | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Helcim | ~1.93% + 8¢ avg | ~2.49% + 25¢ avg | $0 | None |
| Square | 2.6% + 10¢ | 2.9% + 30¢ | $0 | None |
| Stripe | 2.7% + 5¢ | 2.9% + 30¢ | $0 | None |
| PayPal | 2.29% + 9¢ | 3.49% + 49¢ | $0 | None |
| Clover | 2.3% + 10¢ | 3.5% + 10¢ | $14.95-$354 | 36 months |
| Toast | 2.49% + 15¢ | 3.50% + 15¢ | $69+ | 2-3 years |
Helcim typically saves businesses 20-40% compared to flat-rate processors like Square and Stripe. The savings increase with volume as you unlock lower tiers. Not sure what a good rate looks like? See our guide on what's a good rate for credit card processing.
Are There Any Hidden Fees?
Helcim is refreshingly transparent, but here's everything you might pay:
Fees Helcim DOES Charge
- Chargeback fee: $15 (but refunded if you win the dispute)
- Returned ACH: $5 per rejected bank transfer
- Hardware: $99 for card reader (one-time purchase, no rental)
- International cards: Additional card network fees apply
Fees Helcim Does NOT Charge
- Monthly fees
- Setup fees
- PCI compliance fees
- Cancellation fees
- Statement fees
- Batch fees
- Gateway fees
- Refund fees (though original interchange isn't returned)
Helcim will cover up to $500 in cancellation or equipment fees from your previous processor when you switch. This makes it easier to escape contracts with Clover or Toast.
Who Is Helcim Best For?
Helcim Is Great For:
- Growing businesses ($10K+/month) - Interchange-plus savings add up quickly
- Businesses with high debit card usage - You'll pay less than flat-rate processors
- B2B companies - Helcim automatically optimizes Level 2/3 data for lower corporate card rates
- Multi-channel businesses - Same account for in-person, online, and invoicing
- Businesses fleeing contracts - No commitment, plus they'll cover switching costs
Helcim May Not Be Ideal For:
- Very low volume (<$5K/month) - Flat-rate simplicity may be worth the premium
- High-risk industries - Helcim has a restricted business list
- Businesses needing same-day deposits - Helcim deposits in 1-2 business days
How to Eliminate Fees Entirely
Even with Helcim's low rates, you can eliminate processing fees completely with dual pricing.
The Dual Pricing Solution
Dual pricing (also called cash discounting) lets you display two prices. Card customers pay the posted price (which includes the processing fee), while cash customers get a discount.
What Your Customer Sees at Checkout
Standard price
Cash discount
Is Dual Pricing Legal?
Yes. The 2013 Durbin Amendment and subsequent court rulings allow merchants to pass credit card fees to customers. However:
- You must follow card network rules (Visa, Mastercard)
- You must disclose pricing clearly at point of sale
- Some states have specific requirements
Learn more ways to reduce costs in our guides on negotiating processing fees and saving on credit card processing fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
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