When comparing Clover vs Helcim, you’re looking at two distinct approaches to multi-industry point-of-sale technology. Clover, rated 4.3/5, offers Small to medium retail and restaurant businesses wanting premium hardware. Meanwhile, Helcim, rated 4.6/5, provides Cost-conscious businesses wanting transparent pricing. Let’s dive into the details to help you make an informed decision.
Quick Comparison: Clover vs Helcim
| Feature | Clover | Helcim |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Multi-Industry | Multi-Industry |
| Starting Price | $14.95/month (software) + hardware costs | Free POS + interchange + 0.4% + 8¢ |
| Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.6/5 |
| Target Business | Small Business | Small Business to Mid-Market |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Interchange-plus |
| Free Trial | No | Yes |
| Free Version | No | Yes |
| Best For | Small to medium retail and restaurant businesses wanting premium hardware | Cost-conscious businesses wanting transparent pricing |
Clover Overview
Clover is a versatile POS system offering customizable hardware and software solutions for retail, restaurant, and service businesses. Known for its sleek hardware design and app marketplace.
Clover is offered by Fiserv (formerly First Data) (founded 2010) based in Sunnyvale, CA. The system focuses on Retail, Restaurants, Services, Professional Services.
Key Features:
- App marketplace
- Employee management
- Inventory tracking
- Customer engagement
- Reporting
- Online ordering
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
Clover Features:
- App marketplace
- Employee management
- Inventory tracking
- Customer engagement
- Reporting
Helcim Features:
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- Card Reader
- Invoicing
- Online Payments
- Recurring Billing
When comparing features, Clover stands out with Extensive app ecosystem, 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 | Clover | Helcim |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $14.95/month (software) + hardware costs | 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
Clover
Pros:
- Beautiful hardware design
- Extensive app marketplace
- Flexible configurations
- Multiple hardware options
- Strong payment processing
Cons:
- Locked to Fiserv processing
- Hardware is proprietary
- Pricing can be confusing
- Contract requirements vary
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 Clover?
Clover is ideal for Small to medium retail and restaurant businesses wanting premium hardware. The system is particularly well-suited for Retail, Restaurants, Services, Professional Services.
However, Clover may not be the best fit for Businesses wanting processor flexibility.
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 Clover and Helcim are solid POS solutions, but they excel in different areas. Choose Clover if you’re Small to medium retail and restaurant businesses wanting premium hardware. Choose Helcim if you’re Cost-conscious businesses wanting transparent pricing. Helcim has a higher user rating (4.6 vs 4.3). 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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