PaySec vs Helcim: Two Takes on Interchange-Plus Pricing
Both PaySec and Helcim reject flat-rate pricing. But when it comes to rate negotiation, high-risk support, and dedicated account management, the similarities end. See how the two compare.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | PaySec | Helcim |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Network Offset (interchange + markup) | Interchange Plus (interchange + markup) |
| Base Markup (0-$50K/mo) | Typically lower at volume | 0.40% + 8¢ |
| Monthly Account Fee | Small monthly fee (includes premium services) | $0 monthly fee |
| Volume Discounts | Custom negotiated rates | Automatic tiered discounts |
| High-Risk Industries | 50+ verticals supported | Selective (some restrictions apply) |
| Chargeback Alerts | Ethoca + Verifi included | Available as add-on |
| Support Model | Named account manager | Phone/email support team |
| Account Type | Dedicated merchant account | Dedicated merchant account |
| Next-Day Funding | Included (no fee) | Next business day (free) |
| Contract Length | Month-to-month available | No contract |
Why Businesses Choose PaySec Over Helcim
High-Risk & Complex Industries
Helcim restricts certain industries and business types. PaySec underwrites to the merchant, not the MCC code — supporting 50+ verticals including CBD, nutraceuticals, subscription boxes, and other categories that Helcim may decline.
Named Account Manager
Helcim provides solid phone and email support. PaySec assigns a dedicated account manager who knows your business by name, proactively monitors account health, and becomes your direct point of contact for everything from underwriting questions to optimization.
Better Rates at Higher Volume
Helcim's automatic volume tiers are transparent but stop at predefined brackets. PaySec negotiates custom rates based on your specific business profile, transaction patterns, and processing volume — often resulting in better pricing for merchants processing $100K+/month.
Chargeback Protection Included
Helcim charges extra for chargeback alerts. PaySec includes Ethoca and Verifi chargeback alert coverage at no additional cost, helping you resolve disputes before they become chargebacks and protecting your merchant account health.
Pricing at Scale: Helcim vs PaySec
Helcim's automatic volume tiers are transparent and competitive. PaySec's custom-negotiated rates often deliver better pricing for established businesses. Here's the math at three common volumes.
$50K / month
Helcim: 0.40% + 8¢ | PaySec: Custom
$100K / month
Helcim: 0.30% + 8¢ | PaySec: Custom
$250K / month
Helcim: 0.25% + 7¢ | PaySec: Custom
Estimates based on typical blended interchange rates. Helcim pricing from public rate card. PaySec rates are custom-negotiated per merchant. Request a free statement analysis for your exact numbers.
Understanding the Difference: Automatic Tiers vs Custom Negotiation
Both Helcim and PaySec use interchange-plus pricing, which means you pay actual interchange costs plus a transparent markup. The key difference is how that markup is determined. Helcim uses an automatic tiered system where your markup decreases at predefined volume brackets: 0.40% + 8¢ at $0-$50K, 0.30% + 8¢ at $50K-$100K, and so on. This is transparent and predictable, but it treats all merchants in the same volume bracket identically regardless of business type, card mix, or chargeback history. PaySec uses custom-negotiated pricing based on your specific business profile. A low-chargeback SaaS company processing $100K/month gets different pricing than a high-ticket e-commerce store at the same volume — because the risk profile is different. This often results in better rates for established businesses with clean processing history.
When Helcim Makes Sense
Helcim is an excellent choice for low-risk, straightforward businesses processing $25K-$100K/month who value simplicity and want to avoid monthly fees. The automatic volume tiers are easy to understand, and the $0 monthly account fee is attractive for businesses with thin margins. If you're in a standard retail or service industry and don't need hands-on support, Helcim delivers solid value.
When PaySec Makes Sense
PaySec is built for businesses that need more than a rate card can provide. If you're in a high-risk or complex vertical, processing $100K+/month, dealing with chargebacks, or want a dedicated account manager who knows your business by name — PaySec's custom approach is worth the small monthly fee. You get negotiated rates that reflect your actual risk, included chargeback alerts, and white-glove support that scales with you.
Real-World Scenarios
Different businesses experience the Helcim-to-PaySec switch differently. Here are three scenarios we see regularly.
CBD E-Commerce Brand — Declined by Helcim
A licensed CBD retailer processing $40K/month applied to Helcim and was declined due to industry restrictions. After searching for a reliable processor willing to work with CBD, they onboarded with PaySec in under a week. PaySec underwrites to the merchant, not the MCC code, and supported their business with interchange-plus pricing, included chargeback alerts via Ethoca and Verifi, and a dedicated account manager who understood the compliance requirements of the CBD space. Six months later, they're processing $75K/month with zero account issues.
SaaS Platform — $150K/Month With Chargeback Challenges
A B2B SaaS company processing $150K/month in recurring subscriptions was using Helcim at their 0.25% + 7¢ automatic tier. When a product issue triggered a spike in chargebacks, they needed proactive help to protect their merchant account. Helcim's support was responsive but not proactive, and chargeback alerts were an add-on fee. After switching to PaySec, their account manager worked directly with their customer success team to identify at-risk subscriptions before disputes were filed. PaySec's included Ethoca and Verifi alerts caught 40% of potential chargebacks before they hit the account, and the custom-negotiated rate saved an additional $200/month even after accounting for PaySec's monthly fee.
Multi-Location Retailer — $200K/Month Needing White-Glove Support
A specialty retail chain processing $200K/month across five locations was on Helcim's 0.20% + 6¢ tier. The pricing was competitive, but when they expanded to a sixth location in a new state, they needed help with multi-state tax compliance and POS integration guidance. Helcim's support answered questions but didn't provide strategic guidance. PaySec's dedicated account manager coordinated the expansion, worked directly with their POS vendor, and negotiated a custom rate 0.05% lower than Helcim's tier based on their clean processing history and multi-location volume. The savings paid for the monthly fee three times over, and they gained a partner who understood their growth plans.
Ready to Compare Your Helcim Rates to PaySec?
Send us a recent Helcim processing statement and we'll show you exactly what you'd pay with PaySec's custom-negotiated pricing. Most businesses processing $50K+/month see additional savings.
How to Migrate From Helcim to PaySec
Switching from Helcim to PaySec is straightforward since both use interchange-plus pricing. Most migrations complete in 2–3 weeks with zero customer disruption.
Free Cost Comparison
Send us your last 3 Helcim processing statements. We'll break down your current effective rate and show you exactly what you'd pay with PaySec's custom-negotiated pricing. No obligation, no pressure.
Custom Rate Negotiation
Unlike Helcim's automatic tiers, PaySec underwrites your business individually. We analyze your card mix, transaction patterns, and chargeback history to offer a custom rate that reflects your actual risk profile — often beating Helcim's standard tiers.
Account Setup & Token Migration
Your dedicated merchant account is live in 1–2 business days. We migrate your customer payment tokens and recurring billing profiles so your customers never re-enter card details. Most API integrations complete in 1–2 weeks.
Go-Live with Named Support
Process your first transactions with your dedicated account manager monitoring the transition. They'll review your first month's statements, optimize your interchange qualification, and become your direct contact for all processing needs.
PaySec vs Helcim FAQ
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