--- title: "What is the Helcim Point of Sale (POS)? | Using the Helcim POS" slug: "what-is-the-helcim-pos" description: "Discover Helcim POS: the easy-to-use system for accepting in-person payments, managing products, and growing your business. Get started for free!" updated: 2026-10-07T20:39:35Z published: 2026-10-07T20:39:35Z canonical: "learn.helcim.com/what-is-the-helcim-pos" --- > ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://learn.helcim.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # What is the Helcim Point of Sale (POS)? The Helcim Point of Sale (POS) app empowers you to accept in-person payments using your existing device–a smartphone, tablet, or computer–when paired with a Helcim card reader. | ![](https://cdn.document360.io/4e721329-1a9d-4ef0-8d2f-497e0c1f185a/Images/Documentation/sparkle.png) | For US merchants, the Helcim POS also supports [Tap to Pay on iPhone](/v1/docs/tap-to-pay-on-iphone), allowing you to accept contactless payments directly with your iPhone, without needing additional hardware. | | --- | --- | This article will provide a deep dive into the Helcim POS app, and everything it can do to streamline your payments process. --- **In this article** - [Why did we make the Helcim POS app?](/v1/docs/what-is-the-helcim-pos#why-did-we-make-the-helcim-pos-app) - [Who is the Helcim POS app for?](/v1/docs/what-is-the-helcim-pos#who-is-the-helcim-pos-app-for) - [What are its features and benefits?](/v1/docs/what-is-the-helcim-pos#what-are-its-features-and-benefits) - [How much does it cost?](/v1/docs/what-is-the-helcim-pos#how-much-does-it-cost) - [How do I get started with the Helcim POS?](/v1/docs/what-is-the-helcim-pos#how-do-i-get-started-with-the-helcim-pos) - [Next steps](/v1/docs/what-is-the-helcim-pos#next-steps) - [FAQs](/v1/docs/what-is-the-helcim-pos#faqs-troubleshooting) --- ## Why did we make the Helcim POS app? --- We developed the Helcim POS app to provide businesses like yours with a versatile and user-friendly tool for accepting in-person payments. ## Who is the Helcim POS app for? --- The Helcim POS app is ideal for businesses that: - Have a physical location and need to accept in-person payments. - Want to streamline their checkout process for faster transactions. - Need a reliable and user-friendly system for processing various payment types. It's particularly well-suited for businesses in retail, wholesale, professional services, home services, and the automotive industry. ## What are its features and benefits? --- The Helcim POS is packed with features to help you run your business smoothly: **Accept** a wide range of payment methods, including credit, debit, and mobile contactless payments like Apple Pay and Google Pay. **Choose** between Numpad view for quick transactions by entering the payment amount, or Items view to select products or services from your catalog. **Efficiently** manage transactions: - Process full or partial refunds directly from your device. - Split payments for easy group checkout. - Enable tipping and set recommended tip percentages **Use** additional POS options: - Link customers or invoices to transactions. - Save orders for later. - Add transaction notes. - Open a connected cash drawer. **Streamline** product management: - Quickly add products to the cart using the Items view. - Search for products using a keyword or product filters. - Apply discounts to individual items or the entire cart. - Edit product thumbnails for a more visual experience. **Track** your sales: - View a daily sales report directly from the app. - Identify best-selling products on the go. ## How much does it cost? --- The Helcim Point of Sale system is included with your free Helcim account. - To get started with in-person payments, you'll need the Helcim Card Reader, which is a one-time purchase of **$199 USD / $239 CAD**. - Or, you can get the Helcim Smart Terminal for **$349 USD / $429 CAD**, which has a built-in card reader and has the Helcim POS already installed - **US merchants:** Use Tap to Pay on iPhone to accept contactless payments directly on your iPhone, without needing additional hardware. | ![](https://cdn.document360.io/4e721329-1a9d-4ef0-8d2f-497e0c1f185a/Images/Documentation/sparkle.png) | To see all your equipment purchase options, along with financing options, check out our [online equipment store](https://helcim-us-hardware.helcim.app/quick-order?businessClientId=4341751&utm_source=order_equipment_tool&utm_medium=HelcimOnlineStore.Product&utm_campaign=order_equipment&utm_content=checkout_us&hcmSprt=1). | | --- | --- | ## How do I get started with the Helcim POS? --- To start using the Helcim POS: 1. If you haven’t already, [sign up](https://hub.helcim.com/signup/register) for a free Helcim account. 2. [Download the Helcim POS app](https://learn.helcim.com/docs/download-the-helcim-pos-app) on your preferred device (this will already be installed on the Smart Terminal). 3. [Purchase](https://learn.helcim.com/docs/order-helcim-equipment) the Helcim Card Reader, Smart Terminal, or opt to use Tap to Pay on iPhone (US merchants only). 4. If needed, [connect the card reader](/v1/docs/using-helcim-card-reader) to your device. 5. Start processing transactions! ## Next steps --- This article introduced you to the Helcim Point of Sale app. In the following articles, we’ll explore each aspect of the POS function in detail: - [**Download the Helcim POS app**](https://learn.helcim.com/docs/download-the-helcim-pos-app)**:** Learn how to download and install the Helcim POS app on your mobile device or computer - [**Setting up your POS**](https://learn.helcim.com/docs/setting-up-the-helcim-pos)**:** Learn how to access the POS, select your view, and connect your hardware. - [**Take payments**](https://learn.helcim.com/docs/take-payment-with-helcim-pos)**:** Master the art of processing transactions with the POS, and understand different payment methods. - [**Add products in the POS**](https://learn.helcim.com/docs/add-products-helcim-pos)**:** Discover how to add, organize, and manage your products within the POS for efficient sales. --- ### FAQs & Troubleshooting **What is a POS system?** A POS, or Point of Sale, system allows you to accept payments in multiple locations through a physical or software interface. When you have a customer or client in front of you and want to take their payment, you can use a POS system to accept and record credit or debit card transactions at your checkout.