When comparing PAR Brink vs Helcim, you’re looking at two distinct approaches to restaurant point-of-sale technology. PAR Brink, rated 4.1/5, offers Fast casual chains, growing restaurant brands, multi-location operators. 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: PAR Brink vs Helcim
| Feature | PAR Brink | Helcim |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Restaurant | Multi-Industry |
| Starting Price | $90/month | Free POS + interchange + 0.4% + 8¢ |
| Rating | 4.1/5 | 4.6/5 |
| Target Business | Mid-Market | Small Business to Mid-Market |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Interchange-plus |
| Free Trial | No | Yes |
| Free Version | No | Yes |
| Best For | Fast casual chains, growing restaurant brands, multi-location operators | Cost-conscious businesses wanting transparent pricing |
PAR Brink Overview
PAR Brink POS is a cloud-first enterprise POS for restaurants serious about scaling. Features API-first approach with 250+ integration partners, 150+ reports, pay-at-table, and PCI/P2PE security certifications.
PAR Brink is offered by PAR Technology (founded 1968) based in New Hartford, New York, USA. The system focuses on Fast Casual, Quick Service, Restaurant Chains.
Key Features:
- Online ordering
- Loyalty programs
- Kitchen display systems
- Mobile payments
- Real-time reporting
- Multi-unit administration
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
PAR Brink Features:
- Online ordering
- Loyalty programs
- Kitchen display systems
- Mobile payments
- Real-time reporting
Helcim Features:
- Free POS Software
- Card Reader
- Invoicing
- Online Payments
- Recurring Billing
When comparing features, PAR Brink stands out with API-first with 250+ integrations, 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 | PAR Brink | Helcim |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $90/month | Free POS + interchange + 0.4% + 8¢ |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | 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
PAR Brink
Pros:
- 250+ integration partners
- API-first design
- Enterprise scalability
- 24/7/365 support
- PCI and P2PE certified
Cons:
- Tiered support issues
- Slow feature development
- May be overkill for small operators
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 PAR Brink?
PAR Brink is ideal for Fast casual chains, growing restaurant brands, multi-location operators. The system is particularly well-suited for Fast Casual, Quick Service, Restaurant Chains.
However, PAR Brink may not be the best fit for Single-location restaurants, very small operations.
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 PAR Brink and Helcim are solid POS solutions, but they excel in different areas. Choose PAR Brink if you’re Fast casual chains, growing restaurant brands, multi-location operators. 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.