Edge vs. Helcim: Choosing the Right Payment Processor for Your Business

Compare Edge and Helcim to find the best payment processor for your business. Learn about features, costs, and support to make an informed choice today.

Choosing a payment processor feels like a high-stakes decision, right? You're trusting a platform with your money and your customers' sensitive data. It's got to be secure, reliable, and easy to use. In this post, we're tackling the Edge vs. Helcim debate head-on. We'll dissect each platform's strengths and weaknesses, from transaction fees and integrations to security measures and customer support. Whether you're a small startup or an established enterprise, understanding the nuances of each platform is crucial. This comparison will help you determine whether Edge's focus on high-risk industries and customizable solutions or Helcim's all-in-one platform and transparent pricing aligns better with your business goals. Let's get into the details and find the perfect payment processing partner for your business.

Key Takeaways

• Edge prioritizes reliable payment processing for businesses of all sizes, even those considered high-risk. If your business needs flexible tools and APIs, explore Edge's customizable options.

• Helcim offers a comprehensive platform with transparent interchange-plus pricing. This makes them a strong choice for mid-sized to large businesses, especially those with high transaction volumes.

• Think about your must-have features. Do you need a specialized payment solution or a platform that handles everything from payments to inventory? Choosing the right fit depends on your specific business needs and growth plans.

What is Edge? What is Helcim?

Edge is a payments platform offering a suite of tools to make transactions more reliable, especially for businesses in high-risk industries. They provide robust payment tools and APIs geared toward the specific needs of merchants, creating a smoother payment experience. Edge emphasizes giving businesses the control they need to manage their payment processing effectively. For a deeper dive into payment processing, check out their post on understanding merchant services. Think of Edge as your reliable partner for handling the complexities of payments, particularly in sectors that often face higher scrutiny.

Helcim, conversely, is a full-service merchant services provider focused on both online and in-person transactions. Their all-in-one platform handles credit card processing and offers additional features like inventory management, customer data storage, and invoicing. This makes Helcim attractive to businesses wanting a versatile solution that handles more than just payments. You can find a detailed Helcim review on NerdWallet for a comprehensive overview. Essentially, Helcim aims to be a one-stop shop for businesses needing a broader range of merchant services. For an additional perspective, Business.com also offers a helpful Helcim review.

Comparing Features: A Quick Look

This section compares Edge and Helcim across key features, helping you decide which platform best suits your business needs.

Payment Processing Solutions

Both Edge and Helcim offer robust payment processing solutions, but their approaches differ. Helcim emphasizes stability with its interchange-plus pricing, no monthly fees, and month-to-month billing. This model benefits established businesses with medium to high processing volume, as highlighted by Merchant Maverick's comparison. Edge, on the other hand, focuses on reliability and flexibility. Our payment tools and APIs are designed to support businesses across all industries—even those often mislabeled as “high-risk.”

Integrations

Helcim offers a comprehensive platform that extends beyond payment processing. Business.com's review notes its ability to manage various billing and payment methods, along with customer, inventory, and employee data. Its free POS system integrates with QuickBooks Online and other spreadsheet-based tools, offering a practical solution for businesses seeking an all-in-one approach, according to this Helcim POS review. Edge prioritizes seamless integrations with essential business tools, allowing you to connect your existing systems and streamline your operations. Explore our documentation to see how Edge can integrate with your current setup.

E-commerce and POS Tools

Helcim's wholesale features and invoicing capabilities make it a strong contender for B2B businesses, particularly in the retail sector, as this Helcim POS review points out. Fit Small Business emphasizes Helcim's focus on payment processing with a robust POS system and strong fraud protection. Edge provides a customizable hosted checkout solution, giving you control over the customer experience and branding.

Inventory Management

Helcim allows you to track inventory, modify stock levels, and set low-stock alerts, simplifying inventory control. Both Merchant Maverick and NerdWallet mention Helcim's inventory management features in their reviews. While Edge doesn't directly offer inventory management tools, our flexible API allows integration with dedicated inventory management software, providing a scalable solution as your business grows. Contact our sales team to learn more about integrating Edge with your preferred inventory management system.

Edge vs. Helcim: Breaking Down the Costs

For many businesses, cost is a major factor when choosing a payment processor. Let's break down how Edge and Helcim compare on fees so you can make an informed decision.

Transaction Fees and Volume Discounts

Understanding transaction fees is crucial. Edge offers reliable payment tools and APIs across various industries, even those sometimes labeled "high-risk." Edge's fees are based on a percentage or a fixed amount per transaction. You'll want to contact their sales team for specific pricing tailored to your business. Helcim, on the other hand, averages around 1.93% + 8 cents for in-person transactions and 2.49% + 25 cents for online or keyed-in transactions, according to this Helcim review. Remember that these are averages, and your specific rates with Helcim will depend on your business type and transaction volume.

Monthly Fees and Additional Costs

Beyond transaction fees, consider monthly fees and other potential costs. Helcim operates on an interchange-plus pricing model, which they emphasize as offering transparent pricing and cost savings compared to flat-rate models, as explained on their pricing page. For monthly transactions up to $50,000, Helcim charges interchange plus 0.4% and 8 cents for each in-person transaction, and interchange plus 0.5% and 25 cents for each online or manually entered transaction, according to this Helcim POS review. To understand Edge's pricing model and any potential monthly fees or additional costs, it's best to explore their documentation or reach out to their sales team.

How Transparent are the Fees?

Transparency is key when evaluating payment processors. Helcim is generally recognized for its transparent pricing, as noted in this Helcim review. With Edge, while specific pricing isn't publicly listed, their focus on providing clear information and strategies for cost reduction, as highlighted in their blog post about payment processing, suggests a commitment to helping businesses understand their costs. Comparing fees across providers is essential, so take the time to gather detailed pricing information from both Edge and Helcim to determine the most cost-effective solution for your needs.

Which Platform Fits Your Business?

Choosing the right payment processor hinges on your specific needs and business model. Let's explore which businesses might be a better fit for Edge or Helcim.

Edge: Who is it For?

Edge excels for businesses across a range of industries, including those often categorized as "high-risk." This encompasses businesses like online gaming, CBD sales, and subscription services. Traditional payment processors sometimes avoid these industries, making reliable payment solutions hard to find. Edge provides a dependable option, eliminating that obstacle. Their emphasis on helping businesses improve customer satisfaction while cutting costs is a significant advantage. If you need a platform that understands your industry's nuances and offers tailored solutions, explore Edge's payment processing options. They offer tools and APIs designed to manage the complexities of these businesses, ensuring smooth and secure transactions. For a deeper understanding of payment processing fees and their impact, check out this resource on understanding merchant services.

Helcim: A Good Fit for Mid-Size and B2B?

Helcim caters to mid-size and large businesses, especially those with high sales volume or B2B transactions. Their interchange-plus pricing and absence of monthly fees can be especially appealing for businesses processing many transactions. Helcim's wholesale features and invoicing capabilities make it a solid choice for B2B companies. If you want a platform that streamlines B2B sales and offers competitive rates, Helcim might be a good fit. This comparison of Helcim and Square offers additional insights into Helcim's advantages for businesses with substantial transaction volume.

Can the Platform Grow With My Business?

Scalability is essential when selecting a payment processor. You need a platform that handles your current needs and adapts as your business expands. Helcim's transparent pricing model becomes increasingly advantageous as your monthly processing volume grows, particularly for businesses processing over $25,000 per month. They offer a broad range of services, from in-person transactions to online payments, gift cards, and a virtual terminal, showcasing their ability to accommodate various business requirements. This flexibility allows your payment processing to scale seamlessly with your business growth.

What's it Like to Use Edge and Helcim?

This section gets into the daily realities of using these platforms: how user-friendly they are, the mobile experience, and how easy it is to get started. Understanding these practical aspects can heavily influence your choice, so let's dive in.

Platform Usability

Helcim earns praise for its all-in-one platform, offering tools that go beyond credit card processing. Its rich functionality lets businesses manage various billing and payment methods, along with customer, inventory, and employee data, all within a free POS system. Business.com highlights this breadth, emphasizing how the platform handles multiple business operations. Merchant Maverick specifically calls out Helcim's wholesale features and invoicing, making it attractive for B2B retail businesses needing detailed inventory tracking and management. Edge, conversely, focuses on a streamlined experience centered around payment processing, offering robust APIs and developer tools for businesses that want deep customization and control. This targeted approach allows for seamless integration with existing business workflows. You can explore Edge's documentation to see how its API-first design can fit your specific needs.

Mobile App Functionality

Helcim offers a mobile app for managing transactions and some back-office tasks, but information on its full functionality is limited. Their documentation focuses on specific features like ACH payments, highlighting the app's accessibility and efficiency for managing this payment type. You can learn more about Helcim's ACH payments on their support site. Edge prioritizes a seamless web-based dashboard experience, accessible from any device with a browser. This approach ensures consistent functionality and access to all features, regardless of whether you're on your desktop or phone.

Getting Started: How Easy is it?

Helcim has worked to simplify its onboarding process, updating its pricing, mobile apps, hardware, and tools. Fit Small Business notes these improvements, suggesting a smoother experience for new users. Edge emphasizes a quick and easy setup process, allowing businesses to start processing payments rapidly. Their focus on clear documentation and developer-friendly resources aims to minimize integration headaches. Ready to start building with Edge? Click the link to begin. If you're curious about pricing, Edge offers transparent pricing plans you can review on their pricing page. For more complex needs, you can contact their sales team directly.

Staying Safe and Secure

When you’re dealing with sensitive customer information, security should be your top priority. Let’s take a look at how Edge and Helcim approach PCI compliance, fraud prevention, and transaction risk management.

PCI Compliance and Data Protection

Both Edge and Helcim prioritize PCI compliance. Helcim is a Level 1 PCI-DSS compliant service provider, adhering to strict security practices outlined by the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (Helcim Security Overview). Edge also emphasizes data protection, employing robust security measures to safeguard your customers’ information. For more details, explore their security documentation.

Preventing Fraud

Fraud prevention is critical for any payment processing system. Helcim is known for its robust fraud protection, especially within its POS system (Helcim vs Square). For specifics on Edge's fraud prevention tools, contact their sales team. Understanding these features will help you choose the platform that best protects your business and your customers.

Managing Transaction Risk

Transaction risk encompasses various challenges, from chargebacks to processing fees. Helcim’s interchange-plus pricing, while potentially more expensive for low-volume businesses, offers discounts for higher-volume businesses (Helcim vs Square Pricing). This structure can impact your overall transaction risk depending on your sales volume. To understand Edge’s approach to transaction risk and cost optimization, review their pricing. Their hosted checkout may offer additional risk management features. Comparing these approaches will help you determine the best platform for your business needs and risk tolerance.

Support When You Need it

When your business relies on smooth payment processing, reliable support is a must-have. Let's compare how Edge and Helcim handle support when you need assistance.

How to Get Support

Helcim offers 24/7 customer support (source), a significant advantage for businesses needing help at any time. This is especially useful for international businesses or those operating outside standard business hours. Edge provides support during regular business hours. While sufficient for some, this might not work for merchants requiring assistance outside those times. If you foresee needing late-night or weekend support, this is a key difference to consider. Knowing you can reach someone immediately offers valuable peace of mind.

How Quickly Can They Help?

Beyond availability, the speed and quality of support are essential. Helcim’s support team is known for being responsive and helpful (source), crucial when dealing with urgent issues like unexpected account suspensions. Fast support minimizes business disruptions and keeps your cash flow steady. While information on Edge's support responsiveness is still emerging, explore their support documentation and consider contacting their sales team to gauge their responsiveness. A proactive approach provides valuable insights into their support style.

Finding Answers on Your Own

Sometimes, you prefer to troubleshoot problems yourself. Helcim offers comprehensive documentation and resources for self-service support, especially for features like ACH payments (source). This allows users to find solutions quickly. Edge also provides documentation to guide you through their platform. Explore the resources available from both providers to determine which approach best suits your learning style and preferences. A robust self-service knowledge base is a valuable asset for quick answers.

Payments Across the Board

When it comes to payment processing, flexibility is key. You need a system that can handle transactions wherever your customers are—in person, online, and everywhere in between. Let's explore how Edge and Helcim address this need.

In-Person, Online, and Beyond

Helcim offers a robust platform, providing tools beyond basic credit card processing. Their business.com review highlights features for managing various billing and payment types, plus customer, inventory, and employee data, all within their free POS system software. This all-in-one approach can be appealing for businesses looking to streamline operations. Edge, on the other hand, focuses specifically on optimizing payment systems, offering specialized services like subscription management, QuickBooks integration, and transaction risk scoring. This targeted approach allows Edge to provide in-depth solutions for specific business needs, particularly for those focused on recurring revenue models and managing risk. You can start building with Edge to experience these features firsthand. Choosing between the two depends on whether you prioritize a broad feature set or specialized payment tools.

Invoicing and Virtual Terminals

Helcim's invoicing capabilities and wholesale features make it a solid option for B2B businesses, as highlighted in Merchant Maverick's review. Their system allows for inventory tracking, adjustments, and low-stock alerts. While helpful for retail businesses, these features might not be as relevant for businesses primarily focused on digital services or online transactions. Edge, while not specifically designed for inventory management, offers a hosted checkout solution that streamlines the payment process for online businesses. This focus on secure and efficient online transactions makes Edge a strong contender for businesses operating primarily in the digital space. For more technical details, you can explore Edge's documentation.

Accepting International Payments

One key difference between Helcim and other processors like Square is Helcim's ability to handle cross-border payments, a feature not all providers offer. This international capability can be a significant advantage for businesses with a global customer base. While information on Edge's website doesn't explicitly detail international payment processing, contacting their sales team can provide clarity on their capabilities in this area. If expanding your business internationally is on the horizon, understanding each platform's cross-border payment options is crucial. You can also compare Edge's pricing to see how it aligns with your business needs.

Weighing the Pros and Cons

Choosing a payment processor means finding the right balance of strengths and weaknesses for your business. Both Edge and Helcim have their advantages, so let's look at what makes each platform stand out and where they could improve.

What Gives Edge the Competitive Edge?

Edge excels in reliability and its ability to serve businesses across various industries, including those often labeled "high-risk." Their guide to merchant services highlights this commitment. This can be a significant benefit for companies in these sectors who often struggle to find reliable payment processing. Beyond that, Edge Commerce offers a comprehensive suite of tools for managing different billing and payment types, making it a versatile solution as noted in this platform comparison. If you need a flexible platform to handle complex payments, explore Edge.

Where Does Helcim Shine?

Helcim stands out with its all-in-one platform approach. Business.com's review mentions that Helcim offers merchants a variety of tools beyond standard credit card processing. This includes features like invoicing and inventory management, which are particularly useful for B2B businesses, as discussed in this Helcim POS review. Helcim also prioritizes transparent pricing, month-to-month contracts, and a free POS system, making it appealing for businesses that value flexibility and predictable costs, according to Techopedia's analysis.

What Could Be Better?

While both platforms have strengths, there are areas for potential improvement. Some users have commented that Edge's interface could be more user-friendly, as pointed out in this comparison of Edge Commerce and Helcim. Keep this in mind if ease of use is a top priority for you. On the other hand, while transparent, Helcim's pricing structure might not be the most cost-effective choice for businesses with lower transaction volumes, according to this Forbes Advisor review. If your sales volume is relatively low, compare Helcim's pricing with other options, such as flat-rate providers, to make sure you're getting the best value. Check out Edge's pricing page to see how it aligns with your specific business needs.

Choosing the Right Fit for Your Business

Picking the perfect payment processor is kind of like finding the right pair of shoes. What works for a marathon runner won't work for someone hitting the dance floor. Similarly, the best payment processor depends entirely on your business needs. Both Edge and Helcim have their strengths, so let's break down which might be a better fit for you.

Edge has built a reputation for reliability, which is crucial for businesses in high-risk industries. Think online gaming, CBD sales, or anything that traditional processors might shy away from. Edge’s tools and APIs are designed to handle these complexities and provide a stable payment platform. For more on how Edge supports diverse businesses, check out their blog on understanding merchant services.

Helcim takes a different approach, offering a comprehensive platform. It's not just about processing payments; it's about managing your whole business. Think customer data, inventory tracking, even employee information—it's all there. Business.com highlights how Helcim goes beyond basic credit card processing to offer an all-in-one solution. This makes them a solid option for businesses that want everything managed in one place.

Another win for Helcim is their transparent pricing. They use an Interchange Plus pricing structure, which can save you money. You get the benefit of lower interchange rates without hidden fees. For a deep dive into how their pricing works, visit the Helcim pricing page. This is a major advantage for cost-conscious businesses.

Finally, both Edge and Helcim receive positive feedback for customer support. But Helcim gets extra praise for their responsiveness and commitment to security, as noted by Merchant Maverick. This can be invaluable when you're dealing with sensitive payment information and need quick solutions.

Ultimately, the best choice depends on your priorities. If you're in a high-risk industry and need a reliable platform, Edge might be your best bet. If you value an all-in-one solution with transparent pricing, Helcim could be the perfect fit. Think about what matters most to your business and choose accordingly. Check out Edge's pricing and consider contacting their sales team to discuss your specific needs. You can also explore Edge's hosted checkout options for a more streamlined customer experience.

Related Articles

• Payment Solutions for High-Risk Industries: An Overview of Various Sectors and Their Challenges - Edge

• How to Implement Low-Cost Payment Processing for Maximum Business Savings in 2024 - Edge

• Understanding Online Payment Processing: The Ultimate 2024 Guide for Businesses - Edge

• Mastering Payment Gateway Integration: The Essential Guide for Secure Online Transactions - Edge

• Top Vape Store POS Systems: What You Need to Know - Edge

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Edge work with international businesses?

While the blog post doesn't specifically cover this, reaching out to Edge's sales team is the best way to get a definitive answer about international payment processing. They can provide details on any applicable fees, supported currencies, and any specific requirements for international transactions.

I’m a small startup. Is Edge or Helcim better for me?

If you're a small startup, particularly in a high-risk industry, Edge's reliability and focus on serving diverse businesses might be a good fit. However, if you're looking for an all-in-one platform with transparent pricing and don't anticipate needing 24/7 support, Helcim could be a more cost-effective option, especially as your transaction volume grows. Consider your current needs and projected growth when making your decision.

What if I need help integrating Edge with my existing systems?

Edge emphasizes a developer-friendly approach and provides comprehensive documentation to guide you through the integration process. If you encounter any roadblocks or require further assistance, their sales team can provide additional support and resources.

How does Edge handle disputes and chargebacks?

The blog post doesn't delve into the specifics of dispute and chargeback management for either platform. It's best to contact Edge's sales team directly to understand their policies and procedures for handling these situations. They can provide detailed information on how they protect businesses and resolve disputes.

Which platform offers better reporting and analytics?

While the blog post touches on various features, it doesn't directly compare the reporting and analytics capabilities of Edge and Helcim. To get a clear understanding of the reporting tools each platform offers, explore their respective documentation or contact their sales teams. This will help you determine which platform provides the insights you need to manage your business effectively.