What is Payment Processing Software?

Payment processing software powers credit and debit card purchases. When customers make a purchase online, they enter their payment and shipping information into a payment gateway. The payment gateway gives that payment information to the payment processor, which then communicates with both the customer’s and merchant’s banks to complete the transaction. The transaction’s success or failure is reported back to the payment gateway and the customer. In a brick-and-mortar store, a customer’s credit or debit card is swiped into a point of sale (POS) system, which communicates with a payment processor to approve or deny the purchase. Many payment processors charge a fee for each transaction based on the size of the purchase. Some payment processors have an embedded payment gateway or POS system to create a seamless experience. Any time a credit or debit transaction is attempted, a payment processor is needed. With the rise of digital wallets, payment processors have expanded their functionality to include digital currency and the transfer of money from a source such as Venmo or PayPal to an e-commerce or brick-and-mortar store. Some can process an e-check or set up recurring payments. Key Benefits of Payment Processing Software Processing payments made by credit, debit, and gift cards as well as digital wallets Creating a seamless experience for customers Determining whether or not payment is valid before fulfilling an order or completing a transaction Communicating with a variety of banks to accept payment from anywhere in the world

Why Use Payment Processing Software?

Security — Payment information is extremely sensitive, so it needs protection. Payment processing software is held to high security standards to protect this sensitive information. Scalability — A small business can use the same payment processor as a large enterprise, with little difference in functionality. Payment processors operate behind the scenes, and companies pay fees to use them. If a small business picks the right payment processor when it starts out, it may never need to change payment processors as their needs increase. Some payment processors handle billing and invoicing, so some internal processes are covered. Flexibility — Most payment processors handle a wide variety of payments. All payment processors process credit and debit cards, but more are accepting payments from digital wallets, cryptocurrencies, and electronic checks. Some facilitate automatic payments to provide consumers and merchants an added convenience of regular payments. The more options provided to the consumer, the more opportunities a merchant has to make a sale, so it’s in a business’ best interest to utilize a payment processor with a variety of features.

Who Uses Payment Processing Software?

E-commerce businesses — E-commerce businesses rely on payment processing software because that is how they receive all payments. Payment processors integrate with the payment gateway an online business uses or the payment processor has its own payment gateway. Some e-commerce platforms have built-in gateways or processors, eliminating the need to choose a specific one.Because payment processors typically charge fees for each transaction, an e-commerce business needs to be mindful of the processor they choose because all their transactions are carried out by the payment processor. Brick-and-mortar businesses — Brick-and-mortar businesses use payment processors to process credit cards and other non-cash payments. Typically, a processor is integrated with the POS system used by the store, but an all-in-one POS system might include a payment processor. Since most shoppers use some kind of card to make purchases, a payment processor is a necessity. Business to business businesses — Every business collects payments in one form or another but businesses that cater to serving other businesses have a unique challenge. Some payment processors are equipped to accept e-checks and lines of credit, and integrate with billing and invoicing software to ensure payments are made and the proper documentation is created. Recurring and automatic payments are useful if a business functions on a subscription model.

Page 7 | Best Payment Processing Software: User Reviews from October 2026

Helcim

Helcim is a payment processing platform designed to help small and medium-sized businesses accept payments both online and in person. With Helcim, merchants can easily process credit cards, debit cards, and ACH/EFT payments. Customers can pay by inserting, tapping, or using contactless methods like Apple Pay and Google Pay. Helcim offers free payment tools that help businesses accept payments both online and in person. These tools include POS software for in-person sales, online invoicing, a virtual terminal for phone and mail orders, and recurring payments for subscriptions or automatic billing. Businesses can also build an online checkout and storefront, add payment pages to their website, and use Tap to Pay on iPhone, which turns an iPhone into a secure card reader. Merchants can import products and customer information to Helcim via CSV files. Manage inventory is easy on Helcim, businesses can set alerts when inventory levels drop below a specified amount. With Helcim’s real-time reporting tools, merchants can access sales data from any device, at any time. All data is automatically synced across online and in-person sales channels. Merchants can also gain valuable insights into their top-selling and most profitable products, as well as track transaction history and payment status. Helcim also integrates with popular accounting software like QuickBooks Online and Xero, making it easier to manage your finances. For eCommerce businesses, Helcim supports WooCommerce and Foxy. Merchants can easily install the Helcim Commerce plugin for WooCommerce, or connect with Foxy’s support team for a custom integration with Helcim’s platform. Helcim keeps sensitive information secure so businesses and their customers can transact with confidence. Using AES-256 encryption, Helcim protects all sensitive merchant and cardholder data—including names, card numbers, expiration dates, and billing addresses—to ensure full PCI compliance. New users can create an account in just a few minutes. There is no paperwork, no hassle. Businesses can sign up online and start accepting payments.

Average Rating: 3.9/5.0

Total Reviews: 19

How Do G2 Users Rate Helcim?

Has the product been a good partner in doing business?: 8.0/10 (Category avg: 8.8/10)
Self Service Portal: 7.3/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10)
Level 3: 8.0/10 (Category avg: 7.8/10)
Accounting integration: 6.9/10 (Category avg: 8.4/10)

Who Is the Company Behind Helcim?

Seller: Helcim
Year Founded: 2006
HQ Location: Calgary, Alberta
Twitter: @Helcim
4,095 Twitter followers
LinkedIn® Page: www.linkedin.com
182 employees on LinkedIn®
Phone: +1 (877) 643-5246

Who Uses This Product?

Company Size: 84% Small, 16% Medium

What Do G2 Reviewers Say About Helcim?

AI-generated summary from verified user reviews

Pros

Users appreciate the ease of use of Helcim, finding the platform intuitive and navigation straightforward.
Users value the easy setup process with Helcim, ensuring a smooth onboarding experience for their businesses.
Users commend the smoother onboarding process with Helcim, highlighting ease of use and excellent support.
Users commend Helcim for its intuitive payment processing and excellent support, making transactions seamless and user-friendly.
Users appreciate the user-friendly payment options of Helcim, making transactions convenient for both businesses and clients.

Cons

Users highlight pricing issues with Helcim, noting misleading rates and unexpected costs that hinder their experience.
Users report serious account management issues with Helcim, causing significant operational disruptions and financial complications.
Users report a complex setup process that involves extensive documentation, causing frustration and delays in onboarding.
Users report poor email management leading to account issues and unresolved communication problems, causing significant business disruptions.
Users find Helcim to be expensive due to misleading rates and a burdensome onboarding process that complicates usage.

What Are Recent G2 Reviews of Helcim?

"Helcim is so easy and user friendly."

Rating: 5.0/5.0 stars

— Anthony A.

Best Payment Processing Software - Page 7

How Many Payment Processing Software Products Does G2 Track?

Category Stats (Oct 2026)

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G2 Grid® for Payment Processing Software

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