Choosing between Focus POS and Helcim for your business? Both are popular restaurant solutions, but they serve different needs. Focus POS starts at Quote-based and is Enterprise restaurant POS with advanced analytics., while Helcim starts at Free POS + interchange + 0.4% + 8¢ and is Transparent interchange-plus payment processing with free POS. This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which POS system is the right fit for your operation.
Quick Comparison: Focus POS vs Helcim
| Feature | Focus POS | Helcim |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Restaurant | Multi-Industry |
| Starting Price | Quote-based | Free POS + interchange + 0.4% + 8¢ |
| Rating | 4.0/5 | 4.6/5 |
| Target Business | Mid-Market | Small Business to Mid-Market |
| Pricing Model | Quote-based | Interchange-plus |
| Free Trial | No | Yes |
| Free Version | No | Yes |
| Best For | Restaurant groups, multi-location operations, enterprises | Cost-conscious businesses wanting transparent pricing |
Focus POS Overview
Focus POS is a restaurant management system with enterprise-grade features including advanced reporting, labor management, and multi-location support. Known for detailed analytics and customization.
Focus POS is offered by Focus POS Systems (founded 1990) based in Dallas, Texas, USA. The system focuses on Restaurants, Restaurant Groups, Enterprise.
Key Features:
- Advanced reporting
- Labor management
- Multi-location
- Enterprise dashboards
- Inventory management
- Kitchen display
Helcim Overview
Helcim provides interchange-plus payment processing with free POS software and card readers. Known for transparent pricing, no contracts, and volume-based discounts for growing businesses.
Helcim is offered by Helcim Inc. (founded 2006) based in Calgary, Canada. The system focuses on Retail, Service, B2B.
Key Features:
- Free POS Software
- Card Reader
- Invoicing
- Online Payments
- Recurring Billing
- Volume Discounts
Feature Comparison
Focus POS Features:
- Advanced reporting
- Labor management
- Multi-location
- Enterprise dashboards
- Inventory management
Helcim Features:
- Free POS Software
- Card Reader
- Invoicing
- Online Payments
- Recurring Billing
When comparing features, Focus POS stands out with Advanced analytics, while Helcim differentiates itself with Transparent pricing. Your choice should depend on which features align better with your specific business requirements.
Pricing Comparison
| Pricing Aspect | Focus POS | Helcim |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | Quote-based | Free POS + interchange + 0.4% + 8¢ |
| Pricing Model | Quote-based | Interchange-plus |
| Price Range | Premium | Budget |
| Free Trial | Not available | Available |
| Free Version | No | Yes |
Helcim is more budget-friendly, making it a better choice for cost-conscious businesses. Consider the total cost of ownership including hardware, processing fees, and add-on modules when making your decision.
Pros and Cons
Focus POS
Pros:
- Detailed analytics
- Enterprise scalability
- Customization options
- Multi-location support
Cons:
- Higher cost
- Complex setup
- Quote-based pricing
Helcim
Pros:
- Transparent interchange-plus pricing
- Free POS and card reader
- No contracts or hidden fees
- Volume discounts
Cons:
- Limited POS features vs competitors
- Processing only – not full POS
- US and Canada only
Who Should Choose Focus POS?
Focus POS is ideal for Restaurant groups, multi-location operations, enterprises. The system is particularly well-suited for Restaurants, Restaurant Groups, Enterprise.
However, Focus POS may not be the best fit for Single small restaurants, budget-conscious operators.
Who Should Choose Helcim?
Helcim is ideal for Cost-conscious businesses wanting transparent pricing. The system is particularly well-suited for Retail, Service, B2B.
However, Helcim may not be the best fit for Restaurants needing comprehensive POS features.
Our Recommendation
Both Focus POS and Helcim are solid POS solutions, but they excel in different areas. Choose Focus POS if you’re Restaurant groups, multi-location operations, enterprises. Choose Helcim if you’re Cost-conscious businesses wanting transparent pricing. Helcim has a higher user rating (4.6 vs 4.0). Also, choose Helcim if you want to start with a free version. We recommend trying demos or free trials of both systems before making your final decision.