RTC SCORE
8.0
#1 of 16 with enough data
Helcim
Helcim's interchange-plus pricing with automatic volume discounts: in person, interchange + 0.40% + 8¢ up to $50k a month, down to interchange + 0.15% + 6¢ at the highest volume. No monthly, PCI, statement or batch fee, month-to-month with no cancellation fee, and an optional credit card surcharge (Fee Saver) at no extra fee.
RTC SCORE
6.1
#8 of 16 with enough data
Stax
Stax's subscription pricing: interchange with no percentage markup plus 8¢ per in-person payment and 15¢ online or keyed, for a monthly plan set by your yearly volume (a starting price, by quote, above $250,000 a year). Month-to-month with 30 days' notice and no cancellation penalty, and the CardX credit card surcharge. Its PCI, annual and surcharge platform fees have no published amount.
Key differences
| Data point | Helcim | Stax |
|---|---|---|
| Published pricing (points out of 100) | 100 | 80 |
| In-person rate | 0.4% | 0% |
| Online rate | 0.5% | 0% |
| Online fee per transaction | 25¢ | 15¢ |
| Keyed-in rate | 0.5% | 0% |
| Keyed-in fee per transaction | 25¢ | 15¢ |
| PCI compliance fee (yearly) | $0/yr | $10/yr |
| Price of a countertop terminal | $349 one-time | $310 one-time |
| Notice to cancel | 0 days | 30 days |
| Works with these restaurant POS | Others | Clover, Others |
| Support channels | Phone, Email or form | Phone, Chat, Email or form |
Side by side
| Feature | HelcimRTC Score: 8.0 out of 10 | StaxRTC Score: 6.1 out of 10 |
|---|---|---|
| Type of processor and pricing | ||
| Type of processor | Interchange-plus or subscription processorSource: Helcim (opens in a new tab) | Interchange-plus or subscription processorSource: Stax (opens in a new tab) |
| Pricing model | Interchange-plusSource: Helcim (opens in a new tab) | Subscription (interchange + monthly fee)Source: Stax (opens in a new tab) |
| Published pricing (points out of 100) | 100(Best value)Source: Helcim (opens in a new tab)Same rubric for every vendor: in-person rate (25), online and keyed rates (15), markup and monthly fee (20), a stated $0 cancellation fee (20) and its other fees in a public fee disclosure (20). | 80Source: Stax (opens in a new tab)Same rubric for every vendor: in-person rate (25), online and keyed rates (15), monthly plans (20) and a stated $0 cancellation fee (20) are published; the PCI platform, annual, dispute and surcharge platform fees have no published amount (0 of 20). |
| Card rates | ||
| In-person rate | 0.4%Source: Helcim (opens in a new tab)Markup over interchange up to $50k a month in card sales (3-month average); lower tiers above that. | 0%Source: Stax (opens in a new tab)No percentage markup: you pay interchange plus 8¢ and the monthly plan. |
| In-person fee per transaction | 8¢Source: Helcim (opens in a new tab) | 8¢Source: Stax (opens in a new tab) |
| Online rate | 0.5%Source: Helcim (opens in a new tab)Keyed and online payments share Helcim's card-not-present markup, up to $50k a month. | 0%Source: Stax (opens in a new tab)No percentage markup: interchange plus 15¢. |
| Online fee per transaction | 25¢Source: Helcim (opens in a new tab) | 15¢Source: Stax (opens in a new tab) |
| Keyed-in rate | 0.5%Source: Helcim (opens in a new tab)Same card-not-present markup as online payments, up to $50k a month. | 0%Source: Stax (opens in a new tab)No percentage markup: interchange plus 15¢. |
| Keyed-in fee per transaction | 25¢Source: Helcim (opens in a new tab) | 15¢Source: Stax (opens in a new tab) |
| American Express pricing | American Express's cost plus a markupSource: Helcim (opens in a new tab)American Express's OptBlue rate plus Helcim's usual markup. Helcim also lists an acquirer network fee of 0.03% + 3¢ on every American Express payment, which our cost estimate leaves out (about $3 a month for our reference restaurant). | American Express's cost plus a markupSource: Stax (opens in a new tab)American Express's OptBlue cost appears on your Stax statement; Stax publishes no separate American Express rate, so we price it like the other cards (its cost plus Stax's per-transaction fee). OptBlue is for businesses under $1 million a year in American Express sales. |
| American Express rate | N/ASource: Helcim (opens in a new tab)American Express doesn't have a rate of its own here: you pay its cost plus Helcim's markup. | N/ASource: Stax (opens in a new tab)American Express doesn't have a rate of its own here. |
| Rates by monthly volume | In person: interchange + 0.40% + 8¢ up to $50k a month; 0.35% + 7¢ from $50k; 0.25% + 7¢ from $100k; 0.20% + 6¢ from $500k; 0.15% + 6¢ from $1M. Online and keyed: 0.50% + 25¢; 0.45% + 20¢; 0.35% + 20¢; 0.25% + 15¢; 0.15% + 15¢. The tier follows your 3-month average volume; above $5M a month, pricing is by quote.Source: Helcim (opens in a new tab) | The monthly plan depends on your yearly card volume: $99 up to $150,000 a year, $139 from $150,000 to $250,000, and from $199 above $250,000 (custom quote at higher volume). The per-transaction fees (8¢ in person, 15¢ online or keyed) don't change.Source: Stax (opens in a new tab) |
| Monthly and other fees | ||
| Monthly account or plan fee | $0/moSource: Helcim (opens in a new tab) | Quote onlySource: Stax (opens in a new tab)A starting price, not your price: Stax lists "$199+/month" above $250,000 a year and quotes higher volumes. The same rule for every vendor: a published floor or range counts as not published (quote only). $99 up to $150,000 a year and $139 up to $250,000. |
| Annual fee per account | $0/yrSource: Helcim (opens in a new tab) | Not publishedSource: Stax (opens in a new tab)Stax's statement guide lists an annual fee with no published amount. |
| Annual fees per device or location | $0/yr per deviceSource: Helcim (opens in a new tab)No yearly fee per device. Optional 4G data for a terminal costs $7 a month. | UnconfirmedSource: Stax (opens in a new tab)Stax publishes no fee per device or location; its statement guide lists account-level fees only. |
| PCI compliance fee (yearly) | $0/yr(Best value)Source: Helcim (opens in a new tab) | $10/yr()(due for a re-check)Source: NerdWallet (opens in a new tab)Stax's help center says a monthly PCI platform fee is charged while the account is open but doesn't give the amount; NerdWallet (Aug 7, 2026) says Stax confirmed it's $10 a month. Its statement guide also lists a yearly PCI fee with no amount. |
| PCI non-compliance fee (monthly) | $0/moSource: Helcim (opens in a new tab)Helcim says it charges no PCI fees, and its fee disclosure lists no fee for not completing PCI compliance. | Not publishedSource: Stax (opens in a new tab) |
| Statement fee | $0/moSource: Helcim (opens in a new tab) | UnconfirmedSource: Stax (opens in a new tab)Stax's statement guide lists no statement fee, but it lists an 'On File' fee with no published amount. |
| Monthly minimum | $0/moSource: Helcim (opens in a new tab) | Not publishedSource: Stax (opens in a new tab)Only for months with no sales; no published amount. |
| Fee per batch | $0Source: Helcim (opens in a new tab)Inferred: Helcim doesn't say "no batch fee" in so many words, but the "Other Fees" table of its US fee disclosure lists no batch fee, and its statement guide shows only interchange, card network costs and Helcim's markup. | $0Source: Stax (opens in a new tab) |
| Chargeback fee | $15Source: Helcim (opens in a new tab) | Not publishedSource: Stax (opens in a new tab) |
| Other fees | Tap to Pay on iPhone: 10¢ per approved payment. Recurring payments: +0.4%. International cards: +1.45% (Visa, Mastercard), +1.30% (Discover), +1.00% (American Express). Level 2/3 data optimization: Helcim keeps 30% of the savings. Optional 4G data: $7 a month. ACH: 0.5% + 25¢ (capped at $6 under $25,000) and $5 per returned payment. American Express acquirer network fee: 0.03% + 3¢.Source: Helcim (opens in a new tab) | ACH: 1% per payment, capped at $10. Optional terminal protection plan: $19 a month. Seasonal hold (up to 3 months): $25 a month instead of your plan, plus any PCI fees. With the CardX surcharge, CardX says debit pricing varies by processor platform: on some, commercial debit costs 2.91%. With fees that have no published amount: account updater, yearly PCI, annual, 'On File', minimum bill in months without sales, disputes, PCI non-compliance and the surcharge platform fee.Source: Stax (opens in a new tab)ACH and the protection plan come from Stax's pricing page, the seasonal hold from its help center article on seasonal billing, the debit caveat from CardX's pricing page, and the fees without an amount from its statement guide. |
| Equipment | ||
| How you get the equipment | You buy itSource: Helcim (opens in a new tab)The Smart Terminal can also be paid in 12 monthly payments of $32. | You buy itSource: Stax (opens in a new tab)Terminals have a per-unit price. |
| Price of a countertop terminal | $349 one-timeSource: Helcim (opens in a new tab)Helcim Smart Terminal (countertop, with printer and 4G). The card reader costs $199. | $310 one-time(Best value)Source: Stax (opens in a new tab)Dejavoo QD4 countertop terminal: $310 per unit. |
| Equipment lease you can't cancel | NoSource: Helcim (opens in a new tab) | NoSource: Stax (opens in a new tab)Stax sells its terminals at a per-unit price; its equipment page offers no lease. The optional $19 protection plan can be canceled. |
| Equipment lease term | N/ASource: Helcim (opens in a new tab)Helcim doesn't lease equipment: you buy it. | N/ASource: Stax (opens in a new tab)No lease offered. |
| Equipment at $0 upfront: what it commits you to | N/ASource: Helcim (opens in a new tab)Helcim doesn't offer equipment at $0 upfront: you buy the card reader ($199) or the Smart Terminal ($349, or 12 payments of $32). | N/ASource: Stax (opens in a new tab)Stax doesn't offer equipment at $0 upfront: you buy it. |
| Equipment only works with this processor | UnconfirmedSource: Helcim (opens in a new tab)Helcim's POS app only works with Helcim hardware, but Helcim doesn't say whether its reader or terminal can be used with another processor. | UnconfirmedSource: Stax (opens in a new tab)Stax doesn't say whether its Dejavoo terminals can be reprogrammed for another processor. Its help center says Dejavoo QD2, QD4 and QD5 terminals less than a year old must be returned to Stax, and older ones wiped before recycling. |
| Getting your money | ||
| Standard deposit speed | Next business daySource: Helcim (opens in a new tab)Next business day at no extra cost when your bank is on the RTP or FedNow networks and you close the batch by 7 PM Mountain Time; otherwise 1 to 2 business days. Your first batches take about 3 business days. | Next business daySource: Stax (opens in a new tab)Next business day for most accounts; new merchants with little history may start at 48 hours. |
| Instant payout fee | N/ASource: Helcim (opens in a new tab)Helcim doesn't offer paid instant payouts; its fastest option is next-business-day Faster Deposits at no cost. | UnconfirmedSource: Stax (opens in a new tab)Stax doesn't publish an instant payout option or its fee. |
| Holds and reserves | Helcim's terms let it hold or delay payouts and require a reserve for any reason related to your use of the service, in an amount it sets and can change at any time, funded from your sales or your bank account. After the account closes it may keep a reserve for at least 6 months.Source: Helcim (opens in a new tab) | Stax can place a temporary risk hold when a sale exceeds the ticket limits set at approval or, for new merchants, to verify the first batch; it releases the funds once the sale is verified. Its merchant agreement isn't public, so reserve terms aren't published.Source: Stax (opens in a new tab) |
| Contract and exit | ||
| Contract term | Month to monthSource: Helcim (opens in a new tab)Month-to-month: you can close the account without a fee. | Month to monthSource: Stax (opens in a new tab)Month-to-month, with 30 days' notice to cancel. |
| Automatic renewal | Month to monthSource: Helcim (opens in a new tab)Month-to-month, with no renewal term. | Month to monthSource: Stax (opens in a new tab)Month-to-month, with no renewal term. |
| Notice to avoid renewal | 0 daysSource: Helcim (opens in a new tab)No renewal to opt out of. | 0 daysSource: Stax (opens in a new tab)No renewal to opt out of; canceling takes 30 days' notice. |
| Notice to cancel | 0 days(Best value)Source: Helcim (opens in a new tab)You close the account by calling support during business hours; no notice period. | 30 daysSource: Stax (opens in a new tab) |
| Early termination fee | No early termination or cancellation fee.Source: Helcim (opens in a new tab) | No penalty for canceling; you give 30 days' notice and may owe that month's processing fees and subscription.Source: Stax (opens in a new tab) |
| How the early termination fee is calculated | No early termination feeSource: Helcim (opens in a new tab) | No early termination feeSource: Stax (opens in a new tab) |
| Liquidated damages clause | NoSource: Helcim (opens in a new tab) | NoSource: Stax (opens in a new tab) |
| Price increases during the contract | With notice, and you can leave without a feeSource: Helcim (opens in a new tab)With at least 30 days' notice, and you can close the account without a fee. Card network costs pass through as they change. | With notice, and you can leave without a feeSource: Stax (opens in a new tab)At least 30 days' written notice, and leaving costs no penalty with 30 days' notice. Card network costs pass through as they change. |
| Right to raise prices | Helcim can change its rates and fees with at least 30 days' notice on its platform; continuing to use the service after that accepts them. Card network fees change when the networks change them.Source: Helcim (opens in a new tab) | Stax can change its own rates and fees at its discretion with at least 30 days' written notice, which can come on your statement; card network and other third-party charges change when they do.Source: Stax (opens in a new tab) |
| Personal guarantee by the signer | YesSource: Helcim (opens in a new tab)Only if Helcim asks for it as extra security; it isn't a standard part of signing up. | UnconfirmedSource: Stax (opens in a new tab)Stax's merchant agreement isn't public. |
| Dual pricing and surcharges | ||
| Dual pricing or surcharge program | YesSource: Helcim (opens in a new tab)Fee Saver is a credit card surcharge. Its terms say that in person it currently works only on the Helcim Smart Terminal (Helcim's help center also lists the newest card reader). Helcim can adjust the customer's fee for some card brand and cross-border costs, and can change, suspend or end Fee Saver at any time, with or without notice. Card network rules and state laws apply. | YesSource: Stax (opens in a new tab)CardX by Stax credit card surcharge (3% for your customers, where eligible). With it, consumer debit cards cost you 1.25% + 25¢, but CardX says debit pricing varies by processor platform: on some, commercial debit costs 2.91%, and keyed-in debit on the CardX terminal doesn't get 1.25% (its virtual terminal does). CardX doesn't serve businesses in Connecticut or Massachusetts, and Maine and New York have extra terms. Card network rules and state laws apply. |
| Cards the program covers | Credit cards only (surcharge)Source: Helcim (opens in a new tab) | Credit cards only (surcharge)Source: Stax (opens in a new tab) |
| Monthly fee for the program | $0/moSource: Helcim (opens in a new tab)Neither the Fee Saver terms nor Helcim's fee disclosure list a fee for it. | Not publishedSource: Stax (opens in a new tab)A monthly surcharge platform fee with no published amount. CardX's client terms also say a monthly subscription fee may be charged and that CardX can change its pricing with 30 days' notice. |
| Your POS and your business | ||
| Works with these restaurant POS | OthersSource: Helcim (opens in a new tab)Its own POS app at no extra cost. The Smart Terminal has an API to connect other POS systems, but Helcim documents no integration with Toast, Square, Clover, Shift4 POS, SpotOn or Lightspeed. | Clover, OthersSource: Stax (opens in a new tab)Through the First Data, TSYS and other gateways it supports; your POS dealer may charge to integrate. |
| Requires the vendor's own POS | NoSource: Helcim (opens in a new tab)The Smart Terminal also works as a standalone terminal next to your POS. | NoSource: Stax (opens in a new tab) |
| Monthly volume it's built for | $0/moSource: Helcim (opens in a new tab)No minimum volume: the first tier starts at $0. | UnconfirmedSource: Stax (opens in a new tab)Stax doesn't publish a minimum volume; its cheapest plan ($99 a month) covers up to $150,000 a year. |
| Accepts high-risk businesses | YesSource: Helcim (opens in a new tab)Some higher-risk businesses after extra review; prohibited businesses are turned down. | UnconfirmedSource: Stax (opens in a new tab)Stax doesn't publish which business types it accepts. |
| Routes debit to the lowest-cost network | UnconfirmedSource: Helcim (opens in a new tab)Helcim prices PIN debit at interchange plus its markup but doesn't say whether it routes debit to the cheapest network. | UnconfirmedSource: Stax (opens in a new tab)Stax doesn't say whether it routes debit to the cheapest network. |
| Support | ||
| 24/7 support for merchants | NoSource: Helcim (opens in a new tab) | NoSource: Stax (opens in a new tab) |
| Support channels | Phone, Email or formSource: Helcim (opens in a new tab)Phone with its in-house team, and support tickets from your account. | Phone, Chat, Email or formSource: Stax (opens in a new tab)Phone, chat from the Stax dashboard during business hours, and a support form or email. |
Contracts compared
| Product | Initial term | Auto-renewal | Early termination fee | Price increases during the term | Trial |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HelcimSource: Helcim (opens in a new tab) | Month to month | No auto-renewal | No early termination or cancellation fee. | Helcim can change its rates and fees with at least 30 days' notice on its platform; continuing to use the service after that accepts them. Card network fees change when the networks change them.Source: Helcim (opens in a new tab) | No data |
| StaxSource: Stax (opens in a new tab) | Month to monthSource: Stax (opens in a new tab)Month-to-month, with 30 days' notice to cancel. | No auto-renewalSource: Stax (opens in a new tab)Month-to-month, with no renewal term. | No penalty for canceling; you give 30 days' notice and may owe that month's processing fees and subscription. | Stax can change its own rates and fees at its discretion with at least 30 days' written notice, which can come on your statement; card network and other third-party charges change when they do.Source: Stax (opens in a new tab) | No data |
This is general information about published contracts, not legal advice: read your own contract and check with a lawyer before you sign.
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