In the battle of Retail Pro versus Helcim, both systems bring unique strengths to the table. Retail Pro is particularly strong for Multi-store specialty retailers, while Helcim excels at Cost-conscious businesses wanting transparent pricing. Whether you prioritize Enterprise retail focus or Transparent pricing, this comparison covers everything you need to know.
Quick Comparison: Retail Pro vs Helcim
| Feature | Retail Pro | Helcim |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Retail | Multi-Industry |
| Starting Price | Contact for pricing | Free POS + interchange + 0.4% + 8¢ |
| Rating | 4.0/5 | 4.6/5 |
| Target Business | Mid-Market to Enterprise | Small Business to Mid-Market |
| Pricing Model | Quote-based | Interchange-plus |
| Free Trial | No | Yes |
| Free Version | No | Yes |
| Best For | Multi-store specialty retailers | Cost-conscious businesses wanting transparent pricing |
Retail Pro Overview
Retail Pro is an enterprise retail management software for specialty retailers. Offers POS, inventory management, and customer engagement tools for multi-store operations.
Retail Pro is offered by Retail Pro International (founded 1986) based in Folsom, CA. The system focuses on Specialty Retail, Apparel, Multi-store.
Key Features:
- POS
- Inventory Management
- Multi-store
- Customer Management
- Reporting
- E-commerce Integration
Helcim Overview
Helcim provides interchange-plus payment processing with free POS software and card readers. Known for transparent pricing, no contracts, and volume-based discounts for growing businesses.
Helcim is offered by Helcim Inc. (founded 2006) based in Calgary, Canada. The system focuses on Retail, Service, B2B.
Key Features:
- Free POS Software
- Card Reader
- Invoicing
- Online Payments
- Recurring Billing
- Volume Discounts
Feature Comparison
Retail Pro Features:
- POS
- Inventory Management
- Multi-store
- Customer Management
- Reporting
Helcim Features:
- Free POS Software
- Card Reader
- Invoicing
- Online Payments
- Recurring Billing
When comparing features, Retail Pro stands out with Enterprise retail focus, while Helcim differentiates itself with Transparent pricing. Your choice should depend on which features align better with your specific business requirements.
Pricing Comparison
| Pricing Aspect | Retail Pro | Helcim |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | Contact for pricing | Free POS + interchange + 0.4% + 8¢ |
| Pricing Model | Quote-based | Interchange-plus |
| Price Range | Premium | Budget |
| Free Trial | Not available | Available |
| Free Version | No | Yes |
Helcim is more budget-friendly, making it a better choice for cost-conscious businesses. Consider the total cost of ownership including hardware, processing fees, and add-on modules when making your decision.
Pros and Cons
Retail Pro
Pros:
- Enterprise scalability
- Deep inventory features
- Multi-store management
- Customizable
Cons:
- High cost
- Complex implementation
- Requires IT resources
Helcim
Pros:
- Transparent interchange-plus pricing
- Free POS and card reader
- No contracts or hidden fees
- Volume discounts
Cons:
- Limited POS features vs competitors
- Processing only – not full POS
- US and Canada only
Who Should Choose Retail Pro?
Retail Pro is ideal for Multi-store specialty retailers. The system is particularly well-suited for Specialty Retail, Apparel, Multi-store.
However, Retail Pro may not be the best fit for Small single-location stores.
Who Should Choose Helcim?
Helcim is ideal for Cost-conscious businesses wanting transparent pricing. The system is particularly well-suited for Retail, Service, B2B.
However, Helcim may not be the best fit for Restaurants needing comprehensive POS features.
Our Recommendation
Both Retail Pro and Helcim are solid POS solutions, but they excel in different areas. Choose Retail Pro if you’re Multi-store specialty retailers. Choose Helcim if you’re Cost-conscious businesses wanting transparent pricing. Helcim has a higher user rating (4.6 vs 4.0). Also, choose Helcim if you want to start with a free version. We recommend trying demos or free trials of both systems before making your final decision.