Clearo vs. Helcim: two interchange-plus options, two ways to get started
Both pass each card's costs through and add a markup. The difference is whether you pick from a published price list and sign up online, or get a quote and a dedicated rep.
The short version
Helcim and Clearo both use interchange-plus pricing: you pay each card's interchange and network fees, plus a markup. Neither ties you to a long-term contract. When we checked Helcim's pricing page on , it said Helcim has no contracts or cancellation fees. Clearo has no long-term contracts and no cancellation fees either.
The differences are in how you get your price and how you get set up. Helcim publishes its margins on that page, and its volume tiers apply automatically based on your last three months of processing. You can sign up online. Clearo quotes a markup for your business, gives every client a dedicated rep, and supplies POS terminals from authorized partners, Helcim and Clover among them.
If you'd rather pick from a published price list and set up your account yourself, Helcim is built for that. If you'd rather start with a free statement review and work with a dedicated rep, that's how Clearo works.
| Feature | Helcim | Clearo Payments |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Interchange-plus | Interchange-plus |
| Markup | Published margins, with volume tiers applied automatically from your last three months of processing | Quoted for your business, based on your volume and card mix |
| Getting started | Sign up online | Work with a dedicated rep (every client gets one) |
| Terminals | Helcim's own Smart Terminal and Card Reader | From authorized partners such as Clover and Helcim |
| Long-term contract | None | None |
| Good fit for | Businesses that want a published price list and to set up on their own | Businesses that want a dedicated rep and a review of their current costs before they switch |
The bottom line
Interchange-plus, which both use, can cost less than a flat rate, depending on your volume and card mix. Between these two, the card costs pass through either way, so the markup and any other fees make the difference. Put Helcim's published margins next to a Clearo quote for the same statement, then choose on price and on how you want to work: on your own, or with a rep.
Ready to find out what Clearo would cost for your business?
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Transparent interchange-plus pricing
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PCI Compliance
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Surcharging Program
Pass processing costs to credit card users
Pricing
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