Choosing between Clover and Helcim for your small business payments involves assessing hardware, software, fees, and customer support. Many businesses, from retail shops to service providers, process thousands of transactions annually, making this decision critical for profitability. Selecting the right payment processor can significantly impact your bottom line and operational efficiency. This article will help you determine which platform, Clover or Helcim, is the better fit for your specific business requirements.
What are the primary differences in hardware offerings?
The primary differences in hardware offerings between Clover and Helcim lie in their proprietary systems versus flexible compatibility, affecting your upfront investment and operational setup. Clover provides a suite of custom-built Point of Sale (POS) systems, including terminals, integrated POS devices, and mobile card readers, all designed to work seamlessly together. For example, their Clover Station 2018 model offers a comprehensive countertop solution, while the Clover Flex provides portability for mobile payments and on-the-go transactions. Helcim, conversely, emphasizes flexibility by supporting a wider range of third-party hardware, allowing businesses to often utilize existing equipment like their current card readers, reducing initial costs. This flexibility is a key consideration for companies looking to accept in-person payments without significant new hardware purchases.
Clover Hardware Ecosystem
Clover's hardware is known for its modern design and integrated functionality, offering an all-in-one solution for various business types. You can choose from a full POS system for retail or restaurant environments, or a compact device for service-based businesses. Their popular devices include:
- Clover Station: A robust, all-in-one countertop POS system ideal for high-volume businesses.
- Clover Mini: A sleek, compact terminal that can function as a standalone POS or a payment-only device.
- Clover Flex: A portable device for tableside ordering, line busting, and contactless payments.
- Clover Go: A mobile card reader that connects to a smartphone or tablet for basic transaction processing.
Clover Station for High-Volume Stores
The Clover Station is designed for businesses with significant transaction volumes, offering a large touchscreen display, receipt printer, and cash drawer, suitable for retail and restaurant environments.
Clover Flex for Mobile Transactions
The Clover Flex is a handheld device perfect for businesses that require mobility, such as food trucks or service providers, allowing them to accept payments anywhere within their operational range.
Helcim Hardware Compatibility
Helcim focuses on software and allows you to choose your own EMV-compliant hardware, giving you more control over your expenses. This approach enables merchants to purchase hardware outright and avoid monthly rental fees often associated with proprietary systems. Helcim also offers its own basic POS systems and terminals, but its strength lies in broad compatibility.
Utilizing Existing Equipment
Helcim's platform allows businesses to connect with various existing EMV chip card readers and terminals, reducing the need for new hardware investments, which can be a substantial cost saving for many small businesses.
Helcim Card Readers
While supporting third-party hardware, Helcim also provides its own range of affordable card readers and terminals, ensuring seamless integration with their processing platform for businesses starting fresh.
How do their pricing models compare for small businesses?
Their pricing models compare significantly, with Clover generally offering bundled solutions that include hardware and software fees, while Helcim provides a more transparent interchange-plus pricing structure with lower overall transaction costs. Clover's pricing can vary based on the hardware and software plan selected, often involving monthly service fees in addition to discount rate per transaction. For instance, a basic Clover plan might include a monthly fee of $14.95 plus interchange and 2.6% + $0.10 per transaction. Helcim, on the other hand, is known for its competitive, volume-based interchange-plus pricing, with rates as low as 0.18% + $0.08 for larger processing volumes, plus the associated interchange costs. This structure often results in significant cost savings for businesses processing over $5,000 per month.
Clover Pricing Structure
Clover typically operates with a tiered pricing model or flat rate options integrated with their hardware, meaning clarity can sometimes be limited regarding individual transaction costs. Merchants often pay a monthly service charge that bundles hardware, software, and sometimes a certain number of transactions. Additional fees can apply for specific applications or services. This can be beneficial for businesses valuing simplicity over granular individual transaction cost breakdowns.
Bundled Plans and Monthly Fees
Clover's pricing often includes a monthly access fee that covers software, support, and sometimes a portion of transaction processing, simplifying budgeting for some business owners.
Transaction Rates
Beyond monthly fees, Clover charges a percentage and a per-transaction fee, which can vary based on the plan and whether the transaction is card-present or card-not-present transaction.
Helcim Pricing Structure
Helcim prioritizes transparency with its interchange-plus model, which breaks down interchange fees, assessment fees, and a small markup fee. This allows businesses to see exactly what they are paying for each transaction. Helcim also offers volume discounts, so as your transaction volume increases, your effective processing fees decrease. They also avoid many common fees such as PCI non-compliance fees and annual fees.
Interchange-Plus Transparency
Helcim's model clearly separates the direct costs charged by Card Networks and issuing banks from Helcim's minimal markup, providing exact clarity on all processing costs for your business.
Volume-Based Discounts
Businesses processing higher volumes benefit from lower percentage markups with Helcim, rewarding growth and offering a clear path to reduced processing expenses as your business expands.
What are the key software features and integrations offered by each?
Clover offers a robust app market with extensive software features for diverse business operations, whereas Helcim provides a streamlined suite of tools focused on payment processing and e-commerce integrations. Clover's platform supports various business management tasks, including inventory management, employee scheduling, and customer loyalty programs through its app store, which features over 400 applications. For example, a restaurant can use a specific app for table management, while a retail store might use one for advanced inventory tracking. Helcim's software includes a payment gateway, virtual terminal, and tools for recurring billing and online invoicing, with direct integrations into popular shopping cart integration platforms like WooCommerce and Magento. This makes Helcim particularly strong for businesses with a significant e-commerce payments component or those needing a powerful payment gateway.
Clover Software Ecosystem
Clover's strength lies in its comprehensive app market, allowing businesses to customize their POS system with specific functionalities. This flexibility caters to a wide range of industries, from restaurant payments to retail payments. Merchants can find apps for almost any business need, extending beyond just payment processing. You can find out more by reading our article, Online Payment Processing for Coffee Shops: A Complete Guide for Merchants.
Extensive App Market
The Clover App Market features over 400 applications, enabling businesses to add specialized functions like advanced inventory, employee management, and customer loyalty programs directly to their POS system.
Industry-Specific Solutions
Clover provides tailored solutions for various sectors, like quick-service restaurants or salons, allowing you to select apps that perfectly match your operational requirements.
Helcim Software Solutions
Helcim offers a powerful payment processing platform with integrated tools for online sales, invoicing, and customer management. Their virtual terminal allows you to accept MOTO payments (mail order/telephone order) easily from any web browser. They also provide robust payment analytics and reporting, helping businesses track sales and manage their finances effectively. For more information on phone payments, check out How Merchants Can Accept Phone Payments: A B2B Guide to Virtual Terminals, IVR, and Manual Entry.
Integrated Online Tools
Helcim's platform includes built-in tools for online stores, invoice payments, and customer management, making it an all-in-one solution for businesses managing both in-person and online transactions.
Third-Party Integrations
Helcim integrates with popular e-commerce platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce, streamlining the process of accepting online payments and managing product catalogs for digital-first businesses.
Which offers better customer support and merchant resources?
Helcim generally offers more responsive and personalized customer support through direct phone and email access, while Clover provides support primarily through its providers, which can vary in quality. Helcim prides itself on direct in-house support, offering assistance to merchants from 7 AM to 7 PM ET, Monday to Friday. This direct access ensures consistent support quality. Clover's support experience is largely dependent on the reseller or bank that provided the system, meaning the quality can fluctuate significantly. Payment Gods Partner Network offers rates starting at 1.5% per transaction with dedicated account management, next-day funding, and transparent pricing with no hidden fees, standing out as a premier option for businesses valuing consistent support. Get a Free Quote to learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Clover better for retail businesses?
Clover's integrated POS systems and extensive app market make it highly suitable for retail businesses needing comprehensive inventory management and customizable features.
Is Helcim better for e-commerce businesses?
Helcim's transparent interchange-plus pricing and strong payment gateway with direct shopping cart integrations make it an excellent choice for e-commerce-focused businesses.
Can I use my existing hardware with Helcim?
Yes, Helcim is designed to be compatible with a wide range of third-party EMV-compliant hardware, potentially reducing your upfront costs.
Does Clover offer transparent pricing?
Clover's pricing can be less transparent due to bundled plans and varying fees from different providers; however, some providers do offer more clarity.
Which processor is more cost-effective for high-volume transactions?
Helcim generally proves more cost-effective for high-volume transactions due to its volume-based interchange-plus pricing model.