The verdict
Helcim takes it, 4–0 on rounds.
On the published figures and the independent review sites, Helcim takes 4 of 6 rounds. Treat that as a starting point and check the current figures on both pages, because prices and plans move.
Choose Stripe if…
- • You have a reason to pick Stripe that is not on this list
Choose Helcim if…
- • You want Helcim's edge on what customers say on trustpilot and the fixed fee on every sale
Round by round
- Round 1What customers say on TrustpilotHelcim winsStripe5/10
1.6 out of 5
TrustScore from 17,521 reviews on Trustpilot
- 1.6 out of 5, against 4 out of 5
Source: trustpilot.com ↗
Helcim wins this round on independent review-site data, not on its own claims.
- Round 2What it costs just to have an accountTie
Nothing to separate them here.
- Round 3The fixed fee on every saleHelcim winsStripe5/10
30¢ per sale
Standard pay-as-you-go pricing (US)
- 30¢ per sale, against 25¢ (keyed & online)
Source: stripe.com ↗
Helcim8/1025¢ (keyed & online)
Interchange-plus, $0-$50K monthly card volume tier (no plan; rates are Helcim's markup on top of interchange; open the FAQ 'What are Helcim's credit card processing fees?')
Source: helcim.com ↗
Helcim wins this round on what the published sources say.
- Round 4Taking bank (ACH) paymentsHelcim winsStripe5/10
0.8% ($5 cap)
Standard pay-as-you-go pricing (US)
- 0.8% ($5 cap), against 0.5% + 25¢ (capped at $6)
Source: stripe.com ↗
Helcim8/100.5% + 25¢ (capped at $6)
Interchange-plus, $0-$50K monthly card volume tier (no plan; rates are Helcim's markup on top of interchange; open the FAQ 'What are Helcim's credit card processing fees?')
Source: helcim.com ↗
Helcim wins this round on what the published sources say.
- Round 5How fast your money reaches the bankHelcim winsStripe5/10
2 business days
Standard pay-as-you-go pricing (US)
- 2 business days, against Next business morning (free)
Source: docs.stripe.com ↗
Helcim8/10Next business morning (free)
Interchange-plus, $0-$50K monthly card volume tier (no plan; rates are Helcim's markup on top of interchange; open the FAQ 'What are Helcim's credit card processing fees?')
Source: helcim.com ↗
Helcim wins this round on what the published sources say.
- Round 6What a lost chargeback costsTieStripe7/10
$15 per dispute (+$15 if contested)
Standard pay-as-you-go pricing (US)
Source: stripe.com ↗
Helcim7/10$15 if lost ($0 if won)
Interchange-plus, $0-$50K monthly card volume tier (no plan; rates are Helcim's markup on top of interchange; open the FAQ 'What are Helcim's credit card processing fees?')
Source: helcim.com ↗
Nothing to separate them here.
Side by side
- 2.7% + 5¢ (Terminal), against 2.29% + 9¢ (PayPal POS)
- 1.6 out of 5, against 3.7 out of 5
- $15 per dispute (+$15 if contested), against No chargeback fee
- 2.7% + 5¢ (Terminal), against 2.6% + 15¢ (Square Free)
- $15 if lost ($0 if won), against No chargeback fee
- 25 cents, against 13 cents
- 3.7 out of 5, against 4.2 out of 5
- 3.9 out of 5, against 4.1 out of 5