CLOVER VS SQUARE: Price, Features & Which Is Right for Your Small Business

It is difficult to choose between Clover and Square. Both provide outstanding cloud-based point-of-sale (POS) systems for small businesses, as well as in-house hardware solutions, crucial POS features, and add-ons to help you develop. Clover and Square both consistently obtain high grades from our retail experts and great client feedback. In this guide, we will be running a clear review of Clover vs Square POS systems, including reviewing their fees, analyzing Clover vs Square vs Toast, and deciding which is best for whichever business you run including restaurants.

What is a POS system?

To process customer sales in storefronts and online, business owners and personnel utilize a POS or “point of sale” system.

Most POS systems are found in a specific position within a store, such as a checkout counter. Nonetheless, as technology advances, many small businesses are implementing mobile POS systems to allow more efficient transaction processing from a tablet or smartphone.

A POS system is made up of software (such as a program or app) and hardware (such as a touchscreen computer, barcode scanner, and receipt printer).

Square vs Clover POS: At a Glance

Clover vs Square POS systems provides users with a convenient way to receive fees or payments. However, there are certain differences between the two. For example, although Square provides a free plan, Clover advertises a $0 per month plus a $14.95 per month plan. While Clover will cost at least $14.95 each month, it does have a somewhat reduced transaction fee of 2.3 percent plus 10 cents per transaction, as opposed to Square’s 2.6 percent plus 10 cents per translation.

Aside from the cost, the two POS systems have different feature sets, making each ideal for different organizations and use situations. Clover, for example, offers a customer rewards program, whereas Square charges an additional $45 a month for this feature.

In summary, here are our advice for deciding between Clover and Square:

Clover: Best for businesses wanting to choose their own payment processor
Square: Best for small businesses wanting a free or mobile option

Let’s dive into the details below to learn more.

How Square Works

Square is a provider of third-party payment services. You do not receive your own distinct merchant account. Rather, you share a merchant account with thousands of other companies.

There is no underwriting required to open an account, so you can get started right away. In fact, you don’t even need to be a well-established company. Square offers no contract and charges a flat processing fee. The POS app does not have a monthly cost. You don’t have to pay anything if you don’t make any sales in a month.

Square is great for tiny mobile enterprises, freelancers, and side hustlers because of these benefits. However, if your company grows, you may discover that Square’s price is out of line with competitors. It is, as previously said, a proprietary system.

How Clover Works

Clover operates in a unique manner. Fiserv (formerly First Data) manufactures Clover equipment. It collaborates with other merchant service providers that use Fiserv’s backend infrastructure.

If you wish to use Clover for your business, you have two options:

#1. Directly through Clover

You’ll pay flat-rate pricing if you choose a processing plan straight through Clover. Depending on your requirements, there are two pricing options. Clover will set up a merchant account for you. There is no contract for this option.

#2. Through a reseller

Clover collaborates with numerous merchant account providers. In this scenario, the credit card processing rate, other fees, contract terms, and customer service will be determined by the provider.

If you solely utilize Clover devices for payment processing, there is no monthly fee. However, there are monthly software expenses if you also wish to use Clover’s POS software.

It’s also worth noting that Clover equipment only works with the processing provider from whom you purchased it. They are not reprogrammable. You cannot reuse your equipment if you switch to a different provider with better rates.

Square vs Clover POS: Software

Here’s a rundown of Square and Clover’s software features.

Square Software

Square provides all of the basic functionality you’d expect from a POS system. Additionally, Square provides a number of add-on tools for general business management, such as payroll and an eCommerce platform.

All of these solutions, in general, offer the following capabilities:

#1. POS software (or the till)

Square’s POS tools are straightforward and simple to use. It lets you use your phone or iPad to ring up sales and accept payments. Square’s sell screen allows you to upload product photographs for convenient viewing, and the touchscreen display makes it extremely user-friendly.

#2. Inventory management

Square also provides inventory management features that let you import and export products through CSV and track your stock from any device. It also provides low-stock warnings, so you know when you need to order more products.

#3. Analytics

Square’s analytics features can provide you with information on your sales, customer spending, and returns. Your data is updated in real-time, allowing you to stay on top of your business no matter where you are.

#4. CRM

In terms of client management, Square allows you to construct customer profiles that store shopper contact information as well as purchase history. You may tailor the customer experience by using appropriate messaging and communication. You can also securely store credit cards so that you can easily execute future transactions.

Clover Software

Let’s have a look at Clover’s POS features now. Clover, like Square, includes a lot of functions for ringing up sales and managing your business.

Let’s take a deeper look at this below.

#1. POS

Clover allows you to ring up sales from a variety of devices, so whether you want a stationary POS or to be more mobile, Clover has a solution for you. It also includes features like gift cards, feedback requests, table and waitstaff management, and promotions.

#2. Analytics

Clover’s analytics capabilities provide you with information on your sales, revenue, earnings, refunds, and more. Clover is also a cloud-based solution, so you can access your stats from any location.

#3. CRM

Clover, like Square, includes customer management capabilities that allow you to keep their contact information and purchase history in order to promote to them in the most relevant ways. Clover also provides reward capabilities that are free of charge. Furthermore, its feedback app can be useful if you want to find out what customers think about your products and services.

#4. Staffing

Unlike Square, Clover’s employment capabilities are included at no additional cost. Clover provides access to staffing statistics so that you may assess performance, as well as employee incentive tools for rewarding your top employees. Clover also allows you to adjust user rights so that you may control their program access.

Clover vs Square POS: Hardware

Depending on your requirements, both Square and Clover provide a variety of hardware alternatives. Let’s take a look at some of them, along with their prices, down below.

Square Processing

First, let’s take a look at Square’s POS hardware offerings.

#1. Square Register ($799)

Square Register is a basic design that integrates POS and payment processing. Because the card reader is integrated into the gadget, everything appears to be elegant and seamless.

#2. Square Stand – 1st generation ($129)

This hardware solution is compatible with an iPad, so you can download and connect the Square POS app to the device. It also includes a Square Stand, a Square Reader for contactless and chip, and a reader dock.

#3. Square Stand – 2nd generation for contactless and chip ($149)

The Square Stand 2nd generation is similar to its predecessor, but with one major difference: it includes a built-in payments terminal. Instead of requiring a separate Square Reader, the Square Stand 2nd generation includes a credit card reader embedded into the stand. Just keep in mind that if you want to accept magstripe or swiped payments, you’ll still need a Square Reader (magstripe reader).

#4. Square Terminal ($299)

This is a complete hardware solution for processing payments and receipts. It’s a good, portable solution that can be plugged in wirelessly or powered by a battery.

#5. Square Reader for contactless and chip ($49)

This reader can accept chip cards and NFC payments when connected to Square Stand or your mobile smartphone (iOS and Android).

#6. Square Reader for magstripe ($10, though the first reader is free)

The Square Reader is a credit card reader that connects to your iPhone or iPad and is used to accept swiped credit card payments.

Clover Processing

Let’s take a look at Clover’s POS hardware options now.

#1. Station Solo

This POS system has a 14-inch monitor, as well as a matching cash drawer and receipt printer. The device’s fingerprint scanner, which compels employees to check in with their fingerprints, is a useful security feature.

#2. Station Duo

The Clover Station Duo, like the Solo, has a huge display, cash drawer, and receipt printer. Furthermore, the system includes a customer-facing display that allows customers to simply enter their contact information and marketing preferences.

#3. Clover Mini

Clover Mini, another all-in-one POS system, is a smaller display with a built-in card reader. It allows you to handle sales as well as accept various payment methods, including Apple and Google Pay. It can be used in conjunction with barcode scanners, weight scales, and other devices.

#4. Clover Flex

The Clover Flex card reader accepts swipes, dips, and taps. It enables you to accept all major credit cards, as well as mobile and contactless payments. It’s a little solution that can replace your cash register and printer, and it’s ideal for small enterprises with limited space.

#5. Clover Go

Clover Go is a portable card reader for accepting payments on the go. It communicates with other Clover devices as well as the Clover Go app, allowing you to log payments, generate sales statistics, and email receipts.

Square vs Clover POS: Pricing Plans

Retail and restaurant-specific packages are available from Square and Clover. We’ve broken them down below:

Square vs Clover POS: For retail

Square and Clover both provide three options for retail businesses. Square offers Free, Plus, and Premium options, whereas Clover offers Starter, Standard, and Advanced packages.

Square and Clover both provide comprehensive POS features including team management, retail reporting, and increased inventory controls.

Square vs Clover POS: For restaurants

Clover vs Square has more complicated pricing when it comes to restaurants, with the service offering a Free, Plus, and Premium plan for food businesses. Clover has six software and hardware levels in total: a Starter, Standard, and Advanced tier for counter service businesses, as well as a Starter, Standard, and Advanced tier for full-service restaurants.

Clover vs Square both provides comprehensive set of restaurants-specific capabilities such as order management, menu management, and online ordering. Both companies also cater to different types of food businesses, with Clover offering multiple hardware and software solutions to counter-style and full-service businesses and Square allowing you to choose your specialization, even catering to takeaway enterprises and ghost kitchens.

Is Clover Better Than Square?

Square is the more appealing alternative for a new business owner because it is less expensive and there are fewer items to keep care of.

Is Clover More Expensive Than Square?

Because of its free plan, Square is usually more economical than Clover. As a result, if you’re a startup or a newer business on a budget, it’s often the best alternative. Clover’s higher price point and rich features may be worth it as you develop.

What Percentage Does Clover Take?

This varies according to plan and transaction type, but most Clover plans charge 2.3% + 10 cents for in-person transactions.

Does Clover Charge Monthly Fees?

Yes, there is a monthly subscription price for all Clover software. Monthly prices range from $4.95 to $94.95 per month.

What Percentage Does Square Take?

For contactless payments, swiped or inserted chip cards, and swiped magstripe cards, the usual processing fee is 2.6% + 10.

Does Clover Have Any Hidden Fees?

While Clover’s card processing fees aren’t necessarily concealed, they aren’t included in the monthly plan price and should be noted. Clover costs 2.3% + 10 to 2.6% + 10 for card-present sales, depending on the plan you choose, with higher-priced plans typically charging less.

Is Clover Worth It for Small Businesses?

Clover is great for a developing company that has to handle several staff as well as goods and customers. It can enable you to collect client feedback, quickly track sales trends, arranges employee hours, manages payroll, and more without having to pay an additional monthly charge.

What Banks Does Clover Work With?

Clover is distributed by reputable partners including Citi, PNC, SunTrust, and Wells Fargo. Clover is also available at Restaurant Depot and Sam’s Club.

Clover vs Square POS: Which One is Right for Your Business?

From its moderately priced hardware solutions to the entities that enable payment processing, Square can serve the majority of a business’s payments and point-of-sale demands.

Clover requires you to have your own merchant services account, which complicates the buying process but may save you money on transaction fees. Furthermore, your transactions are less likely to be momentarily halted, which has been a cause of aggravation for some Square users.

Square is the superior option if you want transparent pricing. However, which is more cost-effective in the long term depends on your business, the Clover system you’re contemplating, and the merchant services provider you choose.