Choosing between TouchBistro and Helcim for your business? Both are popular restaurant solutions, but they serve different needs. TouchBistro starts at $69/month and is iPad-based restaurant POS with tableside ordering, 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: TouchBistro vs Helcim
| Feature | TouchBistro | Helcim |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Restaurant | Multi-Industry |
| Starting Price | $69/month | Free POS + interchange + 0.4% + 8¢ |
| Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.6/5 |
| Target Business | Small Business | Small Business to Mid-Market |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Interchange-plus |
| Free Trial | Yes | Yes |
| Free Version | No | Yes |
| Best For | Independent restaurants, bars, and food service businesses using iPads | Cost-conscious businesses wanting transparent pricing |
TouchBistro Overview
TouchBistro is an iPad-based restaurant POS system designed specifically for food service businesses. It offers tableside ordering, menu management, and comprehensive restaurant management features.
TouchBistro is offered by TouchBistro Inc. (founded 2010) based in Toronto, Canada. The system focuses on Full-service restaurants, Quick service, Bars, Cafes, Food trucks, Breweries.
Key Features:
- Tableside ordering
- Floor plan management
- Menu management
- Staff scheduling
- Inventory tracking
- CRM
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
TouchBistro Features:
- Tableside ordering
- Floor plan management
- Menu management
- Staff scheduling
- Inventory tracking
Helcim Features:
- Free POS Software
- Card Reader
- Invoicing
- Online Payments
- Recurring Billing
When comparing features, TouchBistro stands out with Offline functionality, 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 | TouchBistro | Helcim |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $69/month | Free POS + interchange + 0.4% + 8¢ |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Interchange-plus |
| Price Range | Mid-range | Budget |
| Free Trial | 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
TouchBistro
Pros:
- Restaurant-focused design
- Works offline
- Intuitive interface
- Good customer support
- Flexible menu management
Cons:
- iPad/Apple only
- Add-ons increase costs
- Limited integrations
- Reservation system separate
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 TouchBistro?
TouchBistro is ideal for Independent restaurants, bars, and food service businesses using iPads. The system is particularly well-suited for Full-service restaurants, Quick service, Bars, Cafes, Food trucks, Breweries.
However, TouchBistro may not be the best fit for Non-restaurant businesses or those preferring Android/Windows.
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 TouchBistro and Helcim are solid POS solutions, but they excel in different areas. Choose TouchBistro if you’re Independent restaurants, bars, and food service businesses using iPads. Choose Helcim if you’re Cost-conscious businesses wanting transparent pricing. Helcim has a higher user rating (4.6 vs 4.4). 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.