Choosing between Shift4 and Helcim for your business? Both are popular multi-industry solutions, but they serve different needs. Shift4 starts at Contact for pricing and is Payment processing and POS technology company, 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: Shift4 vs Helcim
| Feature | Shift4 | Helcim |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Multi-Industry | 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 Enterprise | Small Business to Mid-Market |
| Pricing Model | Quote-based | Interchange-plus |
| Free Trial | No | Yes |
| Free Version | No | Yes |
| Best For | Businesses wanting integrated payment solutions | Cost-conscious businesses wanting transparent pricing |
Shift4 Overview
Shift4 is a payment processing and POS technology company serving hospitality, retail, and other industries. Owns POSitouch, Harbortouch, and other POS brands. Offers integrated payments and software.
Shift4 is offered by Shift4 (founded 1994) based in Allentown, PA. The system focuses on Hospitality, Retail, Entertainment.
Key Features:
- Payment Processing
- POS Systems
- Gift Cards
- Loyalty
- Analytics
- Enterprise Solutions
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
Shift4 Features:
- Payment Processing
- POS Systems
- Gift Cards
- Loyalty
- Analytics
Helcim Features:
- Free POS Software
- Card Reader
- Invoicing
- Online Payments
- Recurring Billing
When comparing features, Shift4 stands out with End-to-end payments, 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 | Shift4 | Helcim |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | Contact for pricing | Free POS + interchange + 0.4% + 8¢ |
| Pricing Model | Quote-based | Interchange-plus |
| Price Range | Mid-range to 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
Shift4
Pros:
- Integrated payments
- Multiple POS brands
- Enterprise scale
- Payment innovation
Cons:
- Complex product lineup
- Custom pricing
- May be overkill for small businesses
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 Shift4?
Shift4 is ideal for Businesses wanting integrated payment solutions. The system is particularly well-suited for Hospitality, Retail, Entertainment.
However, Shift4 may not be the best fit for Very small businesses wanting simple solutions.
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 Shift4 and Helcim are solid POS solutions, but they excel in different areas. Choose Shift4 if you’re Businesses wanting integrated payment solutions. 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.