In the battle of Square versus Helcim, both systems bring unique strengths to the table. Square is particularly strong for Small retail shops, food trucks, service businesses, and startups, while Helcim excels at Cost-conscious businesses wanting transparent pricing. Whether you prioritize No monthly fees or Transparent pricing, this comparison covers everything you need to know.
Quick Comparison: Square vs Helcim
| Feature | Square | Helcim |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Multi-Industry | Multi-Industry |
| Starting Price | Free (2.6% + 10¢ per transaction) | Free POS + interchange + 0.4% + 8¢ |
| Rating | 4.7/5 | 4.6/5 |
| Target Business | Small Business | Small Business to Mid-Market |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Interchange-plus |
| Free Trial | No | Yes |
| Free Version | Yes | Yes |
| Best For | Small retail shops, food trucks, service businesses, and startups | Cost-conscious businesses wanting transparent pricing |
Square Overview
Square is a comprehensive payment and point-of-sale platform that helps businesses of all sizes accept payments, manage inventory, and grow their business. Known for its iconic card reader and user-friendly interface.
Square is offered by Block, Inc. (formerly Square, Inc.) (founded 2009) based in San Francisco, CA. The system focuses on Retail, Restaurants, Services, Appointments.
Key Features:
- Free POS app
- Inventory management
- Employee management
- Customer directory
- Analytics dashboard
- 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
Square Features:
- Free POS app
- Inventory management
- Employee management
- Customer directory
- Analytics dashboard
Helcim Features:
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- Card Reader
- Invoicing
- Online Payments
- Recurring Billing
When comparing features, Square stands out with No monthly fees, 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 | Square | Helcim |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | Free (2.6% + 10¢ per transaction) | Free POS + interchange + 0.4% + 8¢ |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Interchange-plus |
| Price Range | Budget | Budget |
| Free Trial | Not available | Available |
| Free Version | Yes | Yes |
Both systems offer competitive pricing for their respective feature sets. Consider the total cost of ownership including hardware, processing fees, and add-on modules when making your decision.
Pros and Cons
Square
Pros:
- No monthly fees for basic plan
- Easy setup and use
- Excellent mobile app
- Strong ecosystem of add-ons
- Transparent pricing
Cons:
- Transaction fees can add up
- Limited customization
- Account stability concerns for high-risk 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 Square?
Square is ideal for Small retail shops, food trucks, service businesses, and startups. The system is particularly well-suited for Retail, Restaurants, Services, Appointments.
However, Square may not be the best fit for Large enterprises needing deep customization.
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 Square and Helcim are solid POS solutions, but they excel in different areas. Choose Square if you’re Small retail shops, food trucks, service businesses, and startups. Choose Helcim if you’re Cost-conscious businesses wanting transparent pricing. Square has a higher user rating (4.7 vs 4.6). We recommend trying demos or free trials of both systems before making your final decision.
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