When comparing Heartland Retail vs Helcim, you’re looking at two distinct approaches to retail point-of-sale technology. Heartland Retail, rated 4.1/5, offers Retail stores wanting integrated payments. 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: Heartland Retail vs Helcim
| Feature | Heartland Retail | Helcim |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Retail | Multi-Industry |
| Starting Price | Contact for pricing | Free POS + interchange + 0.4% + 8¢ |
| Rating | 4.1/5 | 4.6/5 |
| Target Business | Small Business to Mid-Market | Small Business to Mid-Market |
| Pricing Model | Quote-based | Interchange-plus |
| Free Trial | No | Yes |
| Free Version | No | Yes |
| Best For | Retail stores wanting integrated payments | Cost-conscious businesses wanting transparent pricing |
Heartland Retail Overview
Heartland Retail is a point-of-sale and payment processing solution for retail businesses. Part of the Heartland family, it offers inventory management, customer loyalty, and integrated payments.
Heartland Retail is offered by Heartland Payment Systems (Global Payments) (founded 2001) based in Jeffersonville, IN. The system focuses on Retail, Specialty Stores.
Key Features:
- POS System
- Inventory Management
- Customer Loyalty
- Payment Processing
- Reporting
- E-commerce Integration
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
Heartland Retail Features:
- POS System
- Inventory Management
- Customer Loyalty
- Payment Processing
- Reporting
Helcim Features:
- Free POS Software
- Card Reader
- Invoicing
- Online Payments
- Recurring Billing
When comparing features, Heartland Retail stands out with Heartland integration, 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 | Heartland Retail | Helcim |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | Contact for pricing | Free POS + interchange + 0.4% + 8¢ |
| Pricing Model | Quote-based | 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
Heartland Retail
Pros:
- Heartland ecosystem
- Integrated payments
- Retail focus
- Customer loyalty tools
Cons:
- Custom pricing
- May require Heartland processing
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 Heartland Retail?
Heartland Retail is ideal for Retail stores wanting integrated payments. The system is particularly well-suited for Retail, Specialty Stores.
However, Heartland Retail may not be the best fit for 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 Heartland Retail and Helcim are solid POS solutions, but they excel in different areas. Choose Heartland Retail if you’re Retail stores wanting integrated payments. Choose Helcim if you’re Cost-conscious businesses wanting transparent pricing. Helcim has a higher user rating (4.6 vs 4.1). 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.