| Price | Display | Connectivity | Accepts | Receipt Printer | Barcode Scanner | Battery | POS Software | Monthly Fees | Contract | APIs | Best For | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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$349 — owned outright, no contract | 6.7″ HD touchscreen | Wi-Fi + built-in 4G/LTE (optional $7/month) | Tap, chip, swipe, manual entry | Built-in thermal printer | No — use an external scanner | Up to 12 hours; USB-C charging | Full POS app pre-loaded — inventory, tipping, receipts, employee logins. No monthly fee. | $0 — no per-device or software fees | Month-to-month — no commitment | Full Smart Terminal APIs for custom integrations | Businesses wanting a turnkey handheld POS with 4G connectivity, long battery life, and lower rates |
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$599–$749 USD (or ~$40/mo × 36 months = $1,440+ through resellers) | 5.99″ LCD touchscreen | 4G/LTE + Wi-Fi | Tap, chip, swipe | Built-in thermal printer | Built-in camera and barcode scanner | ~8 hours typical use | Clover POS pre-loaded — features depend on your monthly software plan ($14.95–$89.95+/mo) | $14.95–$89.95+/mo software plan per location, plus ~$14.95/mo per additional device | Set by your reseller — often 36-month contracts with early termination fees | Clover REST API for custom app development | Restaurants and retailers that need built-in barcode scanning and Clover's industry-specific app ecosystem |
Back to Comparisons
Helcim vs. Clover.
An honest, side-by-side comparison of pricing, software tools, hardware, and business models — so you can decide which payment processor fits your business.
Comparison Overview
Helcim vs. Clover business models.
Helcim passes through true network costs and automatically lowers your margins as you grow. Clover sells merchant services directly and through a large network of banks and third-party resellers — meaning your rates, fees, contract terms, and even whether you own or lease your hardware can vary dramatically depending on who sold you Clover.
How Helcim's model works
- Helcim uses interchange-plus pricing that passes through true interchange and network fees at cost, then adds a transparent margin on top.
- Every POS software and online payment tool is included at no monthly cost — virtual terminal, invoicing, online checkout, recurring payments, customer management, and inventory tracking.
- As your monthly card volume grows, Helcim's margin automatically drops by up to 70% — no plan upgrade, no renegotiation, no phone call.
- There are no monthly fees, no PCI fees, no setup or cancellation fees, no statement fees, and no per-user or per-location charges.
How Clover's model works
- Clover sells through a network of banks and independent sales organizations (ISOs). Your rate, monthly fee, contract length, and whether your hardware is owned or leased are all set by whoever sold you Clover — not by Clover itself.
- Many Clover resellers require multi-year contracts (often 3–5 years) with early termination fees, and some lease hardware at inflated monthly costs instead of selling it outright.
- Clover offers tiered monthly software plans with flat-rate processing. Features you might expect to be standard — like detailed sales reports, team scheduling, and loyalty — are gated behind paid plans or sold as separate App Market add-ons.
- Clover's hardware lineup is extensive (terminals, registers, kiosks, KDS), but each device may require a paid plan plus a monthly per-device software fee on top of the hardware cost.
Pricing & fees
Helcim vs. Clover pricing and fees.
Helcim includes every tool at $0/month with transparent interchange-plus pricing that drops as you grow. Clover's pricing varies dramatically depending on which bank or ISO reseller sold you the service — and the true cost often includes hidden monthly fees, multi-year contracts, and predatory hardware leases that aren't obvious upfront.
| Helcim | Clover | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Interchange-plus | Varies by reseller — flat-rate, tiered, or opaque markup |
| Monthly Software Fees | $0 — everything included | $14.95–$89.95+/mo per location (varies by plan and reseller) |
| In-Person Processing | 1.79% + 8¢ Average | 2.3%–2.6% + 10¢ base — ISO markups can push effective rates above 3.5% |
| Online Processing | 2.31% + 25¢ Average | 3.5% + 10¢ |
| Virtual Terminal | 2.31% + 25¢ Average | 3.5% + 10¢ (plus $14.95+/mo if not on a paid plan) |
| US Common PIN Debit | 1.00% + 8¢ Average | Same as credit card rate — no debit routing discount |
| ACH Processing | 0.5% + 25¢ (capped at $6) | Not natively available — requires paid third-party App Market add-on |
| Tap to Pay on Phone | 10¢ | Not natively supported |
| Volume Discounts | Up to 70% off Helcim margin | Requires manual renegotiation with your ISO |
| POS Software | Included free | $14.95–$89.95+/mo plus ~$14.95/mo per additional device |
| Invoicing | Included free | Basic only — advanced features require paid App Market add-ons |
| Recurring Payments | Extra 0.4% per transaction | Requires third-party App Market subscription ($10–$50+/mo extra) |
| Contract Terms | Month-to-month — no setup or cancellation fees | Typically 36-month lock-in with early termination fees ($500+ or liquidated damages) |
| Hidden / Overhead Fees | $0 — no PCI, statement, or batch fees | PCI non-compliance fees ($19.99–$99/mo), statement fees ($5–$15/mo), batch fees |
| Chargeback Fee | $15 | Varies by reseller |
| Smart Terminal | $349 — owned outright | $599–$749 upfront (Clover Flex) — ISOs often push 48-month leases totaling $3,000+ |
| See Helcim pricing | See Clover pricing |
| Pricing Model | Monthly Software Fees | In-Person Processing | Online Processing | Virtual Terminal | US Common PIN Debit | ACH Processing | Tap to Pay on Phone | Volume Discounts | POS Software | Invoicing | Recurring Payments | Contract Terms | Hidden / Overhead Fees | Chargeback Fee | Smart Terminal | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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|
Interchange-plus | $0 — everything included | 1.79% + 8¢ Average | 2.31% + 25¢ Average | 2.31% + 25¢ Average | 1.00% + 8¢ Average | 0.5% + 25¢ (capped at $6) | 10¢ | Up to 70% off Helcim margin | Included free | Included free | Extra 0.4% per transaction | Month-to-month — no setup or cancellation fees | $0 — no PCI, statement, or batch fees | $15 | $349 — owned outright |
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Varies by reseller — flat-rate, tiered, or opaque markup | $14.95–$89.95+/mo per location (varies by plan and reseller) | 2.3%–2.6% + 10¢ base — ISO markups can push effective rates above 3.5% | 3.5% + 10¢ | 3.5% + 10¢ (plus $14.95+/mo if not on a paid plan) | Same as credit card rate — no debit routing discount | Not natively available — requires paid third-party App Market add-on | Not natively supported | Requires manual renegotiation with your ISO | $14.95–$89.95+/mo plus ~$14.95/mo per additional device | Basic only — advanced features require paid App Market add-ons | Requires third-party App Market subscription ($10–$50+/mo extra) | Typically 36-month lock-in with early termination fees ($500+ or liquidated damages) | PCI non-compliance fees ($19.99–$99/mo), statement fees ($5–$15/mo), batch fees | Varies by reseller | $599–$749 upfront (Clover Flex) — ISOs often push 48-month leases totaling $3,000+ |
The bottom line
Clover's pricing is a moving target. The rates set by your specific reseller, the monthly software tier you're locked into, the overhead fees buried in your statement, and the hardware lease you may have signed can push your true cost far beyond what was advertised. Helcim's interchange-plus model is public, consistent, and automatically gets cheaper as you grow — with every tool included at $0/month and no contracts.
Helcim uses an interchange-plus pricing model that passes the true transaction fees charged by banks and payment networks to merchants. These true fees vary every transaction. Average fees are based on common credit cards, excluding American Express, and an average transaction amount of $300. Clover rates shown reflect Clover's direct pricing and publicly available information. Actual rates, fees, and contract terms vary significantly depending on which bank, ISO, or reseller sold you Clover — your actual costs may be higher.
Software comparison
Helcim vs. Clover software feature comparison.
All Helcim software tools are available at no additional cost. Clover offers powerful building blocks, but many of them are separate products with their own percentage fees that stack on top of processing. Pick a tool to see the full comparison.
Helcim POS
A free cloud POS that runs on phones, tablets, Macs, and Windows computers. Supports catalogues, tipping, split payments, partial refunds, and role-based employee logins — with no monthly fee, no per-device charge, and no contract.
- Free POS software — no monthly fee, no per-user or per-device charge
- Fee Saver lets you pass processing costs to customers
- Multi-location support at no extra cost
Clover POS
A POS system that runs on Clover's own hardware, with deep operational tools for restaurants (table maps, coursing, bar tabs, KDS) and retail. The base tier covers essentials, but features like team scheduling, detailed sales reports, and loyalty programs require paid plans starting at $14.95/mo.
- Monthly software plans from $14.95–$89.95+/mo per location
- Deep restaurant features: table maps, course firing, bar tabs, KDS
- Essential features like detailed sales reports gated behind higher-tier plans
What both offer
Both turn your device into a full checkout station with tap, chip, and mobile-wallet payments. Both keep in-person and online sales, inventory, and customer records in sync.
The bottom line
Clover POS is strong for full-service restaurants and complex retail floors that need built-in table management, course firing, and KDS. Helcim POS includes all features free on any device you own — no monthly plan, no per-device fee, and lower processing rates.
Helcim Virtual Terminal
A purpose-built web-based terminal for phone and mail orders. Key in cards, pre-authorize funds, accept partial payments, charge cards on file, and process ACH/EFT bank payments — all included free with your account.
- Included free — no monthly fee or extra surcharge
- ACH/EFT bank payments for large or B2B transactions
- Customer vault and card-on-file support built in
Clover Virtual Terminal
A browser-based virtual terminal that requires a monthly subscription ($14.95+/mo) unless you're already on a paid hardware plan. Processes at Clover's higher keyed-in rate — which varies by reseller — with no native ACH/EFT support.
- Requires $14.95+/mo subscription — free only if you already pay for a hardware plan
- Keyed-in rate set by your reseller — typically much higher than in-person
- No native ACH/EFT — bank transfers require third-party add-ons
What both offer
Both let you key in card numbers from any browser for phone or mail orders without a card reader.
The bottom line
Helcim includes the virtual terminal free with ACH/EFT support at its standard online rate. Clover charges a monthly subscription and a higher keyed-in rate set by your reseller, with no native bank payment option — significantly more expensive for phone/mail order businesses.
Helcim Invoicing
Unlimited invoices included with every account. Send recurring or one-off invoices via email or SMS, accept card, debit, or ACH payments, and send estimates, quotes, and purchase orders. HIPAA-compliant for healthcare businesses.
- Included free — no monthly fee or per-invoice surcharge
- ACH/EFT payments accepted directly from invoices
- Eight document types: invoices, quotes, estimates, purchase orders, and more
Clover Invoicing
Invoicing is bundled with Clover's Virtual Terminal subscription ($14.95+/mo). Invoices are sent by email with a Pay Now button, but process at Clover's higher keyed-in rate (set by your reseller). No native ACH/EFT — bank transfers require a third-party integration.
- Requires Virtual Terminal subscription ($14.95+/mo)
- Rate set by your reseller — typically higher than in-person processing
- No native ACH/EFT — requires third-party TeleCheck integration
What both offer
Both let you create and send invoices with embedded payment links so customers can pay online.
The bottom line
Helcim includes unlimited invoicing free with multiple document types, ACH/EFT support, and lower processing rates. Clover bundles invoicing with its paid Virtual Terminal subscription at a higher reseller-set rate with no native bank transfer option.
Helcim Online Checkout
A checkout tool — not a hosted store. Add embeddable buy buttons, payment pages, and shareable payment links to your existing website. Helcim handles the payment flow while you keep full control of your site.
- Included free — no additional software fee
- Embeddable buy buttons and payment pages for your website
- HelcimPay.js SDK for custom developer integrations
Clover Online Ordering
Online ordering focused on restaurants — customers can browse a menu, customize orders, and pick up or arrange delivery. Integrates with Google Search/Maps for direct ordering. General e-commerce capabilities are limited compared to dedicated platforms.
- Restaurant-focused: menu ordering, pickup, curbside, and delivery
- Google Search and Maps integration for direct customer orders
- Online rate set by your reseller — typically higher than in-person
What both offer
Both let you accept payments online — but they take very different approaches to how you get there.
The bottom line
Clover Online Ordering is purpose-built for restaurants that want menu-based ordering with delivery integration. Helcim Online Checkout is a flexible payment tool for any business that wants to add checkout to their existing website — at lower rates and no monthly fee.
Helcim Recurring Payments
A robust recurring billing suite with flexible schedules, automatic retry on failed payments, free trials, add-ons, and detailed subscription management. Accepts both cards and ACH/EFT. Helcim adds a small +0.4% surcharge on top of its interchange-plus rate.
- Full subscription management with trials, add-ons, and retries
- ACH/EFT accepted — highly cost-effective for large recurring charges
- +0.4% surcharge on top of interchange-plus rates
Clover Recurring Payments
Clover offers only basic card-on-file billing on a schedule — charge a stored card at a set interval. There are no free trials, no automatic retries on failed payments, no add-on management, and no subscription lifecycle tools. Requires the paid Virtual Terminal subscription ($14.95+/mo). No native ACH/EFT.
- Requires Virtual Terminal subscription ($14.95+/mo)
- No trials, no retries, no add-ons — just basic scheduled card charges
- No native ACH/EFT — can't accept bank payments for recurring billing
What both offer
Both automate repeat billing using stored cards, so memberships, retainers, and payment plans run without manual invoicing each cycle.
The bottom line
Helcim offers a full recurring billing suite with subscription management, free trials, automatic retries, add-ons, and ACH/EFT support — all included free. Clover's recurring billing is limited to basic scheduled card charges with no subscription management tools, no bank payment option, and a higher reseller-set rate.
Helcim Customer Manager
A built-in CRM that ties customers to payments, invoices, and subscriptions. Includes a tokenized vault for up to 10 cards per customer, ACH bank accounts, pre-authorized debit agreements, and a free self-service customer portal.
- Included free — integrated across all Helcim tools
- Secure card + bank account vault (PCI Level 1 compliant)
- Free customer portal for self-service account management
Clover Customer Directory
A customer directory with profiles and card on file. Stores loyalty details and supports card-on-file charges for no-show or cancellation fees. Marketing, loyalty programs, and email engagement tools are paid App Market add-ons.
- Card-on-file for no-show/cancellation fees (service businesses)
- Loyalty and marketing tools are paid App Market add-ons ($10–$50+/mo)
- No self-service customer portal — no ACH bank account storage
What both offer
Both keep customer records with transaction history and securely stored payment methods, so repeat customers don't need to re-enter their card details.
The bottom line
Helcim includes a self-service customer portal, ACH bank account vault, and pre-authorized debit storage — all free. Clover's directory covers basics but charges extra for loyalty, marketing, and engagement tools through its App Market.
Helcim Inventory
A free product and inventory tool built into the platform. Set advanced pricing options like wholesale pricing, tiered/volume pricing, and BOGO promotions. Multi-location tracking included.
- Included free — no per-SKU fees
- Wholesale and tiered volume pricing built in
- Syncs across POS, invoicing, and online checkout
Clover Inventory
Detailed SKU-level inventory with modifier categories, low-stock alerts, and scale integration for weight-based pricing. Restaurant menu management links directly to items for real-time stock tracking. Advanced features like cross-location transfers require paid plans.
- Deep restaurant menu management with modifier rules
- Scale integration for weight-based pricing (retail/grocery)
- Cross-location transfers and vendor management on paid plans only
What both offer
Both track stock in real time across the register and online, with variants, categories, and low-stock alerts.
The bottom line
Clover's inventory is strong for restaurant menu management and specialized retail workflows. Helcim includes all inventory features free — including wholesale pricing and multi-location tracking — with no per-SKU or per-location charges.
Helcim Integrations
Helcim's integrations are built to help merchants use Helcim with the software they already run. The Payment Extension is a unique no-code Chrome extension that connects Helcim to 30+ billing tools with closed payment systems — like Jane, Wave, and Zoho — so you keep your software but pay Helcim's lower rates.
- Payment Extension: use Helcim inside software that locks you into its own processor
- Native integrations with QuickBooks, Xero, and WooCommerce
- Helcim API and HelcimPay.js for custom development
Clover Integrations
Clover's App Market offers third-party add-ons for accounting, loyalty, delivery, and more. However, many apps carry their own monthly subscription — so integrating the tools you need can quietly add $50–$150+/mo in extra SaaS costs on top of your Clover plan.
- App Market with add-ons for CRM, payroll, delivery, and loyalty
- Many apps carry their own monthly subscription ($10–$50+/mo each)
- Clover API for custom development and POS integration
What both offer
Both offer ways to connect payments with other business software — but the approach is very different.
The bottom line
Clover's App Market offers more integrations, but many are paid monthly add-ons that can quietly inflate your costs. Helcim's Payment Extension lets you use your existing software with Helcim's lower rates — something Clover has no equivalent for.
Unique Features
Payment tools only one side has.
Beyond the shared essentials, each platform has exclusive tools the other doesn't offer. These differences can be deciding factors depending on how your business operates.
Compliant Surcharging & Convenience Fees
Helcim's Fee Saver dynamically calculates and passes credit card processing fees to customers across invoices, online payment pages, and in-person transactions — fully compliant in supported states and provinces.
The Payment Extension
A no-code Chrome extension that lets you process payments through Helcim inside 30+ billing tools that normally lock you into their own processor — like Jane, Wave, and Zoho. Keep the software you love, pay Helcim's lower rates. Clover has no equivalent.
Employee Scheduling & Biometric Time Tracking
Clover builds shift scheduling and biometric fingerprint clock-in directly into the POS, so restaurants and retailers can manage staff in the same place they take payments. Helcim offers role-based logins but not full scheduling or timekeeping.
Self-Serve Kiosk & Kitchen Display System
Clover offers a self-ordering kiosk and a Kitchen Display System (KDS) for high-volume restaurants. Both require a paid platform plan plus a monthly per-device software fee.
Hardware comparison
Helcim vs. Clover hardware comparison.
Helcim offers a single all-in-one smart terminal. Clover's flagship handheld is the Flex. Here's how they compare on specs, pricing, and what you'll actually pay each month.
Head-to-head
Both are standalone handheld terminals with built-in receipt printers and LTE connectivity. The Helcim Smart Terminal has a larger 6.7″ screen, longer battery life (12 vs ~8 hours), and costs significantly less — with no monthly software fees, no per-device charges, and no contract. The Clover Flex adds a built-in barcode scanner and camera, and supports Clover's deep restaurant and retail app ecosystem — but requires a monthly software plan, and your processing rates, contract terms, and even the hardware price are all set by whichever reseller sold you Clover.
Additional hardware only Clover offers
Clover sells specialized hardware that Helcim doesn't offer — compact countertop terminals, full dual-screen registers, and self-serve kiosks. Each device requires a paid Clover software plan and may carry additional per-device monthly fees.
Clover Mini
A compact 8″ countertop terminal designed for tight spaces. Runs the full Clover POS with a smaller footprint than the Station Duo. Requires a monthly software plan plus per-device fees.
Clover Station Duo
A dual-screen countertop register with a 14″ merchant display and a customer-facing screen for line-item review and payment. Designed for high-volume restaurants and retailers. Requires a monthly software plan plus per-device fees.
Clover Kiosk
A self-serve ordering station where customers browse a menu, customize their order, and pay without staff. Built for high-volume restaurants. Requires a paid Clover plan plus a $25/mo per-device software fee.
Strengths
Where each platform shines.
Both Helcim and Clover are strong payment platforms — but they're built for different types of businesses. Here's an honest look at where each one excels.
You want transparent, public pricing
Helcim's interchange-plus model passes the exact wholesale cost charged by the banks directly to you, plus a transparent markup. With Clover, your rate is set by whatever reseller sold you the service — and it's often opaque, inflated, or buried in a tiered pricing structure.
You run a complex restaurant
Clover offers table maps, course firing, bar tabs, a Kitchen Display System (KDS), and self-serve kiosks — operational tools built for full-service and high-volume restaurants. These features require paid software plans.
You're growing and want rates that drop automatically
Your processing rate drops automatically as your sales volume rises — saving you up to 70% off Helcim's markup. Clover offers no automatic volume discounts; getting a lower rate means renegotiating directly with your ISO.
You need specialized countertop hardware
Clover sells a compact Mini, a dual-screen Station Duo register, and self-ordering kiosks — form factors Helcim doesn't offer. Each device requires a paid software plan and may carry per-device monthly fees.
You don't want hidden fees
Helcim charges no monthly fees, no PCI fees, no statement fees, no setup fees, and no cancellation fees. Clover resellers commonly add PCI non-compliance fees ($19.99–$99/mo), statement fees, and batch processing fees that quietly inflate your monthly cost.
You want built-in staff scheduling
Clover builds employee scheduling and biometric time tracking directly into the POS, so you can manage shifts and timekeeping in the same system. This feature is gated behind paid plan tiers.
You don't want to be locked into a contract
Helcim is month-to-month with no early termination fee, and you own your hardware outright. Clover resellers typically require 36-month contracts with early termination fees — and hardware leases that can cost more than buying the device outright.
You want to buy through your bank
If you already bank with a Clover partner (e.g. Bank of America, Wells Fargo), you can add payment processing through an existing relationship. Keep in mind that your rates, fees, and contract terms are still set by that bank — not by Clover.
You want every payment tool included
POS, Virtual Terminal, Invoicing, Online Checkout, Recurring Billing, Customer Vault, and Inventory are all included at $0/month. Clover gates many of these behind paid plan tiers or third-party App Market add-ons with their own monthly subscriptions.
You want human support — not a reseller hand-off
Helcim provides direct phone, email, and chat support from its own team. With Clover, your support experience depends on whichever reseller or ISO sold you the service — and quality varies widely.
You want transparent, public pricing
Helcim's interchange-plus model passes the exact wholesale cost charged by the banks directly to you, plus a transparent markup. With Clover, your rate is set by whatever reseller sold you the service — and it's often opaque, inflated, or buried in a tiered pricing structure.
You're growing and want rates that drop automatically
Your processing rate drops automatically as your sales volume rises — saving you up to 70% off Helcim's markup. Clover offers no automatic volume discounts; getting a lower rate means renegotiating directly with your ISO.
You don't want hidden fees
Helcim charges no monthly fees, no PCI fees, no statement fees, no setup fees, and no cancellation fees. Clover resellers commonly add PCI non-compliance fees ($19.99–$99/mo), statement fees, and batch processing fees that quietly inflate your monthly cost.
You don't want to be locked into a contract
Helcim is month-to-month with no early termination fee, and you own your hardware outright. Clover resellers typically require 36-month contracts with early termination fees — and hardware leases that can cost more than buying the device outright.
You want every payment tool included
POS, Virtual Terminal, Invoicing, Online Checkout, Recurring Billing, Customer Vault, and Inventory are all included at $0/month. Clover gates many of these behind paid plan tiers or third-party App Market add-ons with their own monthly subscriptions.
You want human support — not a reseller hand-off
Helcim provides direct phone, email, and chat support from its own team. With Clover, your support experience depends on whichever reseller or ISO sold you the service — and quality varies widely.
You run a complex restaurant
Clover offers table maps, course firing, bar tabs, a Kitchen Display System (KDS), and self-serve kiosks — operational tools built for full-service and high-volume restaurants. These features require paid software plans.
You need specialized countertop hardware
Clover sells a compact Mini, a dual-screen Station Duo register, and self-ordering kiosks — form factors Helcim doesn't offer. Each device requires a paid software plan and may carry per-device monthly fees.
You want built-in staff scheduling
Clover builds employee scheduling and biometric time tracking directly into the POS, so you can manage shifts and timekeeping in the same system. This feature is gated behind paid plan tiers.
You want to buy through your bank
If you already bank with a Clover partner (e.g. Bank of America, Wells Fargo), you can add payment processing through an existing relationship. Keep in mind that your rates, fees, and contract terms are still set by that bank — not by Clover.
Making your decision
When to choose Helcim vs. Clover.
Helcim is a direct payment processor — you get transparent interchange-plus pricing, every tool included at $0/month, and a month-to-month relationship with no contract. Clover is hardware and software sold through thousands of banks and ISOs, so what you actually pay depends entirely on who sold it to you.
You want transparent interchange-plus pricing that drops automatically as you grow, every payment tool included at no monthly cost — POS, invoicing, virtual terminal, online checkout, recurring billing, customer vault — and a month-to-month relationship with no contract, no hidden fees, and direct human support.
You specifically need Clover's restaurant-focused operational tools — table maps, course firing, KDS, and self-serve kiosks — or require their specialized countertop hardware like the Station Duo. Be aware that your processing rates, contract terms, and total cost will depend on whichever bank or ISO reseller sold you Clover.
Frequently asked questions.
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For most businesses, yes — and often significantly. Helcim uses interchange-plus pricing that passes through the actual wholesale cost of each transaction plus a transparent margin that drops automatically as you grow. Clover's processing rates are set by whichever bank or ISO reseller sold you the service, and they're often opaque or buried in tiered pricing structures. On top of processing, Clover resellers commonly add monthly software fees ($14.95–$89.95+/mo), PCI non-compliance fees, statement fees, and per-device charges that don't exist with Helcim.
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No. Helcim has no monthly fees, no setup fees, no cancellation fees, no PCI fees, no statement fees, and no contracts. Every payment tool — POS, virtual terminal, invoicing, online checkout, recurring billing, customer vault, and inventory — is included at $0/month. Clover resellers typically require monthly software plans ($14.95–$89.95+/mo per location), often lock merchants into 36-month contracts with early termination fees, and may add hidden overhead fees like PCI non-compliance charges and batch processing fees.
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Because Clover is sold through thousands of independent banks and ISOs, your actual fee structure depends on who sold it to you. Common hidden fees include: PCI non-compliance fees ($19.99–$99/mo), monthly statement fees ($5–$15/mo), batch processing fees, early termination fees ($500+ or liquidated damages for remaining contract months), and inflated hardware lease payments. Some resellers also use tiered pricing that advertises a low "Qualified" rate but classifies most transactions as "Non-Qualified" at significantly higher rates.
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Both are standalone handheld terminals with built-in receipt printers and LTE connectivity. The Helcim Smart Terminal has a larger 6.7″ screen, longer battery life (12 vs ~8 hours), and costs significantly less — with no monthly software fees, no per-device charges, and no contract. The Clover Flex adds a built-in barcode scanner and camera, and supports Clover's restaurant and retail app ecosystem — but requires a monthly software plan ($14.95–$89.95+/mo), and your processing rates and contract terms are set by your reseller. ISOs frequently lease the Flex at ~$40/month for 36 months, totaling $1,440+ for a device worth $599–$749.
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Clover offers deeper restaurant-specific operational tools — table maps, course firing, bar tabs, a Kitchen Display System (KDS), and self-serve ordering kiosks. If your restaurant needs these built-in POS features, Clover's ecosystem is purpose-built for it. However, these features require paid software plans, per-device fees, and the processing rates and contract terms set by your reseller can significantly increase total cost. Helcim is the stronger choice for restaurants that primarily need payment processing, invoicing, and online ordering at lower rates with no monthly fees.
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Not natively. Clover doesn't offer built-in ACH or EFT processing. To accept bank payments, you'd need a third-party integration like TeleCheck, which adds its own fees and complexity. Helcim includes native ACH (U.S.) and EFT-PAD (Canada) processing — ideal for B2B payments, large invoices, and recurring billing where credit card fees would be prohibitively expensive.
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Yes. Helcim's Merchant Buyout Program is designed to help merchants stuck in Clover contracts. If you're locked into a multi-year agreement with early termination fees, Helcim may cover up to $500 in cancellation costs to help you switch. Since Clover resellers are known for restrictive contracts and liquidated damages clauses, this program can make switching significantly easier.