Stripe vs Helcim
Stripe vs Helcim compares published lines. Stripe's US domestic cards are 2.9% + $0.30, read November 9, 2026. Helcim is listed at Interchange + 0.50% + $0.25 online, at the base tier. Dispute fees that day: Stripe $15 received, and Helcim $15 if lost. $0 if resolved in your favor.
What is the verdict on Stripe vs Helcim?
Helcim publishes Interchange + 0.50% + $0.25 online, at the base tier, read on November 9, 2026. Stripe's US domestic card rate on that date is 2.9% + $0.30.
Helcim does not sell a flat rate. At the base online tier its margin is interchange + 0.50% + $0.25, and the margin falls as volume rises. Whether that beats Stripe depends on your card mix. The lowest-fee page shows the arithmetic with the interchange assumption written down. Helcim is for a standard-risk US or Canadian business, not a workaround for a category Stripe prohibits.
How do Stripe and Helcim compare on features?
Helcim is a payment service provider with the dispute line $15 if lost. $0 if resolved in your favor., read on November 9, 2026. Stripe's dispute line on that date is $15 received.
| Feature | Stripe | Helcim |
|---|---|---|
| Card rate | 2.9% + $0.30 | Interchange + 0.50% + $0.25 online, at the base tier |
| Dispute fee | $15 received | $15 if lost. $0 if resolved in your favor. |
| Pricing | Flat rate | Interchange-plus |
| Payout | Standard schedule free. Instant 1.5%, minimum $0.50. | Next-business-morning deposits for credit and debit. The pricing page lists this at $0. |
| Region | Global. Rates here are the US list prices. | United States and Canada. Margins below are the US disclosure. |
| Underwriting | Instant signup. Stripe can review, restrict, or close the account later. | Application. Not positioned as an instant high-risk signup. |
| Merchant of record | ||
| In the fee calculator |
What does Stripe vs Helcim cost at $10,000, $100,000, and $1 million a month?
The dollar columns use a $50 average ticket and successful charges only, on rates read November 9, 2026. Helcim's published line is Interchange + 0.50% + $0.25 online, at the base tier.
Stripe
Published standard rate, read November 9, 2026.
- Manually entered cards. +0.5%
- International cards. +1.5%
- Currency conversion. +1% when required
Helcim
No single flat rate was on the pricing page on November 9, 2026.
- Online and keyed, $50,001 to $100,000. Interchange + 0.45% + $0.20
- Online and keyed, $100,001 to $500,000. Interchange + 0.35% + $0.20
- Online and keyed, $500,001 to $1,000,000. Interchange + 0.25% + $0.15
| Monthly volume | Stripe, $50 ticket | Helcim |
|---|---|---|
| $10,000 | $350.00 | Interchange + 0.5% + $0.25 |
| $100,000 | $3,500.00 | Interchange + 0.45% + $0.20 |
| $1 million | $35,000.00 | Interchange + 0.25% + $0.15 |
Read on November 9, 2026 from each provider's pricing page. A figure that says "from" is a floor, not the rate a business is charged. International cards, currency conversion, and disputes are not inside these totals. Stripe pricing · Helcim pricing
Where does Stripe win, and where does Helcim win?
Stripe wins on the job in the left column. Helcim wins on the job in the right column, at the rate Interchange + 0.50% + $0.25 online, at the base tier read on November 9, 2026.
Stripe wins when
Volume is low, the card mix is expensive, or you want Stripe's product surface more than the last bit of processing margin.
Helcim wins when
Monthly card volume is high enough that a 0.50% margin, stepping down toward 0.15%, is worth giving up Stripe's extras. Get a sample statement before you migrate.
How do underwriting and account stability differ?
Stripe's underwriting note is instant signup, with the right to review later, as recorded on November 9, 2026. Helcim's note is: Application. Not positioned as an instant high-risk signup.
A live API key is not the same thing as a written approval. If Stripe closed the account for the business model, an instant-onboard processor can reach the same answer after you have moved customers. A prohibited category does not become lawful because the logo changed.
How do you switch from Stripe to Helcim?
Stripe's data export page, read on November 10, 2026, says Stripe transfers saved cards only to a PCI DSS Level 1 processor and does not export subscriptions or payment history. The switching guide is the longer checklist.
- Export Stripe customers, prices, and disputes while the dashboard still allows it.
- Ask Helcim in writing whether a Stripe token import exists. This page does not claim one.
- Recreate plans and run five real customers in a test, including one annual plan.
- Map webhooks before cutover. Do not bill the same period twice.
- If the Stripe account is already closed, plan for customers to enter cards again.
What did Helcim publish on the pricing page?
Helcim contributed 15 fee lines to this comparison, read on November 9, 2026. The headline beside those lines is Interchange + 0.50% + $0.25 online, at the base tier.
Online and keyed, $0 to $50,000 a month
Interchange + 0.50% + $0.25
Online and keyed, $50,001 to $100,000
Interchange + 0.45% + $0.20
Online and keyed, $100,001 to $500,000
Interchange + 0.35% + $0.20
Online and keyed, $500,001 to $1,000,000
Interchange + 0.25% + $0.15
Online and keyed, above $1,000,000
Interchange + 0.15% + $0.15. Helcim's pricing page says merchants over $5 million a month should contact sales.
In person, $0 to $50,000
Interchange + 0.40% + $0.08
In person, $50,001 to $100,000
Interchange + 0.35% + $0.07
In person, $100,001 to $500,000
Interchange + 0.25% + $0.07
In person, $500,001 to $1,000,000
Interchange + 0.20% + $0.06
In person, $1,000,001 to $5,000,000
Interchange + 0.15% + $0.06. Over $5 million a month, Helcim says to contact sales.
Recurring payments
+0.4% per transaction
Chargeback
$15 if the case is lost. $0 if it is resolved in your favor. The US fee disclosure describes the $15 as refunded on a win.
ACH
0.5% + $0.25, capped at $6 under $25,000, plus 0.05% on the amount over $25,000
ACH reject
$5 per reject
Deposits
Next-business-morning deposits on credit and debit. Listed at $0 on the pricing page.
Where is the source page?
These figures were last updated November 9, 2026. The provider's own page is the source.