--- title: "What is the Helcim Virtual Terminal? | Helcim payment tools" slug: "what-is-the-helcim-virtual-terminal" description: "The Helcim Virtual Terminal simplifies online payments. This guide covers its benefits, who it's for, key features, and how to get started." updated: 2025-04-17T15:36:36Z published: 2025-04-17T15:36:36Z canonical: "learn.helcim.com/what-is-the-helcim-virtual-terminal" --- > ## 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 Virtual Terminal? The Helcim Virtual Terminal is a tool you can use on your computer, tablet, or phone to accept payments. It's like having a cash register in your web browser, but without needing any special equipment. This article will give you a quick rundown of the Virtual Terminal, and what it can do for your business. ![Simplified UI of the virtual terminal.](https://cdn.document360.io/4e721329-1a9d-4ef0-8d2f-497e0c1f185a/Images/Documentation/Virtual-terminal-simplified-UI.png) --- **In this article** - [Why did we make the Virtual Terminal?](/v1/docs/what-is-the-helcim-virtual-terminal#why-did-we-make-the-virtual-terminal) - [Who is the Virtual Terminal for?](/v1/docs/what-is-the-helcim-virtual-terminal#who-is-the-virtual-terminal-for) - [What are its features and benefits?](/v1/docs/what-is-the-helcim-virtual-terminal#what-are-its-features-and-benefits) - [How much does it cost?](/v1/docs/what-is-the-helcim-virtual-terminal#how-much-does-the-virtual-terminal-cost-to-use) - [Next steps](/v1/docs/what-is-the-helcim-virtual-terminal#next-steps) ## Why did we make the Virtual Terminal? --- The Virtual Terminal helps businesses get paid with the convenience of a device they already have—a computer, a tablet, or a mobile phone. It’s made for situations where you are keying in a customer’s card information for a payment. This could be for payments taken over the phone, or for billing stored credit card information for a recurring payment. ## Who is the Virtual Terminal for? --- Lots of different businesses can use the Virtual Terminal, especially those who need to take payments remotely. Here are just a few examples: - **Consultants:** Imagine a business consultant who helps companies improve their marketing. They can use the Virtual Terminal to collect payment on their clients’ invoices. No more chasing down cheques! - **Healthcare providers:** A therapist offering online counseling sessions can use the Virtual Terminal to securely process patient payments without needing to be in the same room. - **B2B companies:** A wholesale supplier selling office furniture to other companies can use the Virtual Terminal to process large orders over the phone. - **Freelancers:** A freelance web designer can use the Virtual Terminal to invoice clients and get paid quickly, no matter where they're working from. ## What are its features and benefits? --- **Works on any device:** You can use it on your computer, tablet, or smartphone as long as you have internet. **Takes different payments:** It can process credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, etc.) and bank payments (ACH or EFTs). **Handles different transactions:** You can use it to charge customers now, or hold money for later (like when someone books a hotel room). **Remembers customers:** It can save customer information so you can charge them again quickly. **Works with Helcim Invoices:** You can use it to collect payments for bills you send out. **Sends receipts:** It can email receipts to your customers. **Keeps payments safe:** It uses strong security to protect payment information. ## How much does the Virtual Terminal cost to use? --- You don't pay a monthly fee to use the Virtual Terminal. You only pay a small fee for each transaction you process. | ![](https://cdn.document360.io/4e721329-1a9d-4ef0-8d2f-497e0c1f185a/Images/Documentation/pencil-white.png) | You’ll be charged [interchange plus fees](/v1/docs/what-is-interchange-plus) in the card-not-present category with the virtual terminal. - This is an average of 2.3% + 25¢ per transaction for credit cards - And an average of 0.5% + 25¢ per transaction for ACH payments Actual fees will depend on your business type, transaction mix, and other factors. | | --- | --- | You can check our exact pricing for keyed and online transactions [here.](https://www.helcim.com/pricing/) ## Next steps --- If you don’t have one already, you’ll need a Helcim account to use the Virtual Terminal. | ![](https://cdn.document360.io/4e721329-1a9d-4ef0-8d2f-497e0c1f185a/Images/Documentation/cursor.png) | Sign up for a Helcim account [here.](https://hub.helcim.com/signup/register/?_gl=1*1aeub2r*_gcl_au*MTgzMDg0NDgxNi4xNzQwNjA2NDQ5*_ga*MjI4MDc0NjI1LjE3NDA2MDY0NDk.*_ga_E4FGSTC3VD*MTc0MDYwNjQ0OS4xLjAuMTc0MDYwNjQ0OS42MC4wLjA.) | | --- | --- | Once you’re signed up with us, head to the [next article](/v1/docs/accessing-the-virtual-terminal) on accessing the virtual terminal to get started!