Choosing between Chowbus and Helcim for your business? Both are popular restaurant solutions, but they serve different needs. Chowbus starts at Contact for pricing and is POS system specialized for Asian restaurants, 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: Chowbus vs Helcim
| Feature | Chowbus | Helcim |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Restaurant | Multi-Industry |
| Starting Price | Contact for pricing | Free POS + interchange + 0.4% + 8¢ |
| Rating | 4.2/5 | 4.6/5 |
| Target Business | Small Business to Mid-Market | Small Business to Mid-Market |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Interchange-plus |
| Free Trial | No | Yes |
| Free Version | No | Yes |
| Best For | Asian restaurants needing specialized POS | Cost-conscious businesses wanting transparent pricing |
Chowbus Overview
Chowbus POS is a restaurant management platform designed specifically for Asian restaurants. Features include multilingual support, online ordering integration, and specialized menu management for Asian cuisine.
Chowbus is offered by Chowbus Inc. (founded 2016) based in Chicago, IL. The system focuses on Asian Cuisine Restaurants.
Key Features:
- POS System
- Online Ordering
- Multilingual Support
- Menu Management
- Kitchen Display
- Payment Processing
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
Chowbus Features:
- POS System
- Online Ordering
- Multilingual Support
- Menu Management
- Kitchen Display
Helcim Features:
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- Card Reader
- Invoicing
- Online Payments
- Recurring Billing
When comparing features, Chowbus stands out with Asian restaurant expertise, 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 | Chowbus | Helcim |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | Contact for pricing | Free POS + interchange + 0.4% + 8¢ |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Interchange-plus |
| Price Range | Mid-range | 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
Chowbus
Pros:
- Asian restaurant specialization
- Multilingual interface
- Online ordering integration
- Cultural understanding
Cons:
- Niche market focus
- Limited to certain cuisines
- Less mainstream support
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 Chowbus?
Chowbus is ideal for Asian restaurants needing specialized POS. The system is particularly well-suited for Asian Cuisine Restaurants.
However, Chowbus may not be the best fit for Western cuisine restaurants.
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 Chowbus and Helcim are solid POS solutions, but they excel in different areas. Choose Chowbus if you’re Asian restaurants needing specialized POS. Choose Helcim if you’re Cost-conscious businesses wanting transparent pricing. Helcim has a higher user rating (4.6 vs 4.2). 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.
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