Helcim vs. Stax - Which Subscription Pricing Model Saves More in 2025?

Card Processing

Oct 6

Credit card processing fees can make or break a small business’s bottom line. In 2025, many SMBs are turning to Helcim and Stax as alternatives to Square, Stripe, and PayPal. These two providers take very different approaches:

Helcim → transparent interchange-plus pricing, no monthly fee.
Stax → subscription-style pricing, flat monthly fee with lower per-transaction costs.

So which one saves your business more? Let’s dive in.

Helcim Overview

Pricing model: Interchange-plus with a fixed markup.
Monthly fees: $0.
Transaction fees: Interchange + 0.15% + 6¢.
Best for: Low/medium-volume SMBs, startups, businesses with variable transaction levels.

Helcim is known for fee transparency. With no monthly costs and no hidden surcharges, it’s one of the most predictable processors for SMBs.

Stax Overview

Pricing model: Subscription-based.
Monthly fees: From ~$99/month.
Transaction fees: Interchange + 8¢.
Best for: High-volume SMBs (>$20k/month in processing).

Stax’s subscription model is designed for established businesses. While the monthly fee looks steep, at higher volumes, the lower per-transaction costs outweigh the subscription.

Helcim vs. Stax: Pricing Comparison (2025)

  
    
        Feature
        Pricing Model
        Monthly Fees
        Transaction Fees
        Best For
        Contract
        Key Strength
      

    
        Helcim
        Interchange-plus
        $0
        Interchange + 0.15% + 6¢
        Low/medium-volume SMBs
        No long-term contract
        Transparency & predictability
      

        Stax
        Subscription + interchange
        From ~$99/month
        Interchange + 8¢
        High-volume SMBs ($20k+)
        Month-to-month
        Savings at scale
      

  

Example:

At $10k/month, Helcim is usually cheaper (no subscription).
At $50k/month, Stax’s lower per-transaction costs usually win

Features & Support

Both processors provide:

Multiple payment methods (in-person, online, invoicing).
Integrations with QuickBooks, Xero, and major e-commerce platforms.
Fraud prevention and PCI compliance.

Helcim: Emphasizes transparency and easy onboarding.
Stax: Offers richer reporting and analytics for growth-stage businesses.

ScaleUp Tip

Choose Helcim if you want simplicity, no monthly fees, and transparency.
Choose Stax if you’re high-volume and want to minimize per-transaction costs.

In 2025, Helcim is best for growing SMBs, while Stax is the clear winner for established, high-volume businesses

FAQs

1. Which is cheaper, Helcim or Stax in 2025?

Helcim is cheaper for businesses processing under ~$20k/month. Stax becomes cheaper at higher volumes due to its subscription pricing.

2. Does Helcim have monthly fees?

No. Helcim only charges transaction fees, with no monthly subscription.

3. Who should use Stax?

Stax is best for businesses with consistent, high processing volume where the subscription model leads to lower overall costs.

4. Can you switch between Helcim and Stax easily?

Yes. Both offer straightforward onboarding and no long-term contracts, making it easy to switch if your volume changes.

The Editors