GoPayhawk vs. Other Payment Processors

Before you commit to any payment processor, you should know how the options stack up. Here's a direct comparison between GoPayhawk and three of the most widely used alternatives — Helcim, Square, and Stripe.

GoPayhawk vs. Helcim

Helcim is often praised for transparency. Their published rates are 1.86% + 8¢ for in-person and 2.40% + 26¢ for online transactions — both higher than GoPayhawk's interchange-plus model for most card types.

Where GoPayhawk wins: 24/7 customer service, dedicated account management, financial coaching, superior reporting, and free statement audits. Helcim provides a self-service platform; GoPayhawk provides a partner.

GoPayhawk vs. Square

Square charges 2.6% + 10¢ for standard card-present transactions and 3.5% + 15¢ for manually keyed entries. Their pricing model appears simple, but the per-transaction fee compounds fast at high volume:

• One $1,000 transaction: $26.10 in fees
• 250 $4 transactions (same $1,000 total): $51.00 in fees

Beyond fees, Square's fine print includes additional charges for advanced features. And when you have a problem, you're routed to a call center — not a dedicated rep who knows your account. Read more in Why Small Businesses Should Skip Square.

GoPayhawk vs. Stripe

Stripe's standard rates are 2.9% + 30¢ for online and 2.7% + 5¢ for in-person payments. Add-ons accumulate: +0.5% for manually entered cards, +1.5% for international transactions, +1% for currency conversion. Stripe also charges subscription fees for advanced features.

Stripe is an excellent developer tool. But for a business owner who wants a processing partner — not a payment API to build on — Stripe's support model and total cost structure don't compete.

GoPayhawk Is the Clear Winner