Clover
- Clover is a POS-first platform with the most robust hardware lineup among SMB processors - purpose-built terminals, registers, and kiosks for retail, restaurants, and service businesses
- Processing rates (2.3% + $0.10 CP for restaurants, 2.6% + $0.10 CP for retail; 3.5% + $0.10 CNP) are competitive for card-present but expensive online. Clover is built for in-person businesses
- Clover is owned by Fiserv (the largest payment processor in the US), which means excellent uptime and bank-grade infrastructure
- The main risk: Clover hardware is sold through independent resellers (ISOs) who set their own pricing. Many merchants overpay because they bought from a bad reseller. Always compare the ISO's rates to Clover's direct pricing
Clover is the POS system you see in restaurants, retail shops, and service businesses across the US. Unlike Square (which is primarily a payment processor that makes POS hardware), Clover is primarily a POS platform that includes payment processing. The hardware quality and app ecosystem are its biggest strengths.
On this page
When to Use Clover
You should use Clover if:
- You need professional POS hardware (not just a phone reader)
- You run a restaurant, retail shop, or service business
- You want a full POS ecosystem with employee management, inventory, and reporting
- You need multiple terminals or registers
- You want a wide selection of third-party POS apps
Skip Clover if:
- You're primarily online/e-commerce (Stripe or Shopify Payments is better)
- You want the cheapest option (Square is cheaper at low volume)
- You don't need dedicated hardware (Square or Stripe Terminal works)
- You want to avoid long-term commitments (some Clover resellers lock you in)
Pricing Breakdown
Direct (Clover.com) Pricing
| Transaction Type | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Card-present (tap/insert/swipe) | 2.3% + $0.10 (restaurants) / 2.6% + $0.10 (retail) | Rate varies by business type; 2.5% + $0.10 on Standard/Advanced retail plans |
| Card-not-present (online/keyed) | 3.5% + $0.10 | Online, virtual terminal, keyed-in |
| Monthly software fee | $14.95 - $94.85/month | Depends on plan and hardware |
Software Plans
| Plan | Monthly Fee | Best For | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | $14.95/mo | Solo operators | Basic POS, tips, tax |
| Standard | $49.95/mo | Growing businesses | Inventory, employee management, reporting |
| Advanced | $69.90/mo | Multi-location | Advanced reporting, customer engagement |
Hardware costs are separate (see below).
Hardware Options
This is where Clover stands out. No other SMB processor offers this range:
| Device | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Clover Go | $199 | Mobile card reader, field service |
| Clover Flex | $599 | Handheld terminal, restaurants (tableside), delivery |
| Clover Mini | $849 | Counter terminal, small retail, cafes |
| Clover Station Solo | $1,799 | Full register, retail, restaurants |
| Clover Station Duo | $1,899 | Register + customer-facing screen |
| Clover Kiosk | $3,499+ | Self-service ordering, QSR |
Prices are for outright purchase. Financing and leasing options available (but leasing is usually a bad deal - buy if you can).
Clover hardware is sold through independent resellers (ISOs/agents) who can set their own rates and fees. Many merchants pay 3.5-4.5% processing rates because a reseller marked them up. Always compare any ISO quote to Clover's direct pricing at clover.com. If the ISO rate is significantly higher, buy direct or find a different reseller.
What Clover Does Well
1. Hardware Quality and Range
Clover's hardware is purpose-built and professional-grade:
- Restaurant-specific features (tableside ordering, tip adjustment, split checks)
- Retail-specific features (barcode scanning, inventory lookup, customer-facing display)
- Service-specific features (appointment booking, invoicing)
- All devices share the same software platform
Compared to Square: Square hardware is simpler and cheaper, but Clover's is more durable and feature-rich for busy retail/restaurant environments.
2. App Market
Clover has an app marketplace with 300+ apps:
- Accounting integrations (QuickBooks, Xero)
- Loyalty programs
- Online ordering (for restaurants)
- Employee scheduling
- Gift cards
- Industry-specific tools
This lets you customize Clover for your specific business type without custom development.
3. Fiserv Infrastructure
Clover is backed by Fiserv, the largest payment processor in the US:
- 99.99% uptime
- Bank-grade security
- PCI Level 1 compliance built in
- Reliable settlement (next-day or same-day with premium plans)
4. Employee and Inventory Management
Built into the platform (Standard plan and above):
- Employee clock-in/out and permissions
- Inventory tracking with low-stock alerts
- Per-employee sales reporting
- Role-based access (cashier vs. manager)
What Clover Does Poorly
1. Online/CNP Processing Is Expensive
At 3.5% + $0.10, Clover's online rate is among the highest:
- Stripe: 2.9% + $0.30
- Clover: 3.5% + $0.10
- On a $100 online transaction: Clover costs $3.60 vs Stripe's $3.20
If you do significant online sales, use Stripe or Shopify Payments for online and Clover for in-person only.
2. Reseller/ISO Risk
Clover's distribution model creates a real problem:
- Independent agents set their own rates, fees, and contract terms
- Some add hidden fees: PCI compliance ($100+/month), annual fees ($300+), early termination ($500+)
- Merchants sign multi-year contracts without realizing it
- The hardware may be "leased" at 3-4x the purchase price
Protection: Buy direct from clover.com, or get any ISO quote in writing and compare to direct pricing before signing.
3. Hardware Lock-In
Clover hardware only works with Clover processing:
- If you switch processors, the hardware becomes paperweights
- No processor portability (unlike generic terminals)
- This is by design - it keeps you locked in
Compare to Square: Square readers are cheap enough to throw away if you switch. Clover's $800-1,800 investment makes switching painful.
4. Monthly Software Fees Add Up
Unlike Square ($0/month for basic), Clover charges monthly software fees:
- Solo operator: $14.95/month ($180/year)
- Standard: $49.95/month ($600/year)
- Multiple terminals: fees multiply
At low volume, these fees make Clover more expensive than Square even though the per-transaction rate is lower.
Clover vs. Square: The Real Comparison
These are the two most common SMB POS choices. Here's an honest comparison:
| Factor | Clover | Square |
|---|---|---|
| CP rate | 2.3-2.6% + $0.10 | 2.6% + $0.10 |
| CNP rate | 3.5% + $0.10 | 2.9% + $0.30 (online) / 3.5% + $0.15 (keyed) |
| Monthly fee | $14.95-94.85 | $0 (basic) |
| Free hardware | No | Yes (basic reader) |
| Hardware quality | Professional-grade | Consumer-grade |
| Hardware range | 6+ devices | 3-4 devices |
| App ecosystem | 300+ apps | 400+ apps |
| Employee mgmt | Built-in (Standard+) | Built-in (Plus plan, $49/mo) |
| Online selling | Basic, expensive | Good, competitive pricing |
| Contract risk | High (if using ISO) | None (month-to-month) |
| Best for | Established retail/restaurants | Startups, mobile, simple needs |
Bottom line: Square is better for getting started fast with no upfront cost. Clover is better for established businesses that need professional hardware and don't mind the monthly fee.
Who Clover Is Best For
Perfect Fit
| Business Type | Why Clover Wins |
|---|---|
| Restaurants | Tableside ordering, split checks, online ordering integration |
| Established retail ($10K+/mo) | Lower CP rate offsets monthly fee; better hardware for busy stores |
| Multi-location | Centralized management, per-location reporting |
| Service businesses with counter | Appointment + payment in one system |
| Businesses needing kiosks | Self-service ordering for QSR and cafes |
Poor Fit
| Business Type | Better Alternative |
|---|---|
| Online-only | Stripe or Shopify Payments |
| Mobile/field service | Square (free reader, no monthly fee) |
| Under $5K/month | Square (no monthly fee) |
| Developer-led | Stripe (better API) |
| Want lowest cost possible | Helcim or Stax |
Common Gotchas
1. The Lease Trap
Some resellers offer hardware "leases" instead of purchases:
- An $849 Clover Mini might cost $50/month for 48 months = $2,400
- You don't own the hardware at the end
- Early termination fees apply
- Always buy outright. Financing through Clover's direct site is OK; third-party leases are almost always a bad deal.
2. Rate Bait-and-Switch
ISOs advertise "1.69% qualified rate" but this is tiered pricing:
- "Qualified" rate applies to basic debit cards only
- Most transactions end up at "mid-qualified" (2.5-3.0%) or "non-qualified" (3.0-3.5%)
- Effective rate ends up 3.0-4.0%
- Ask for the effective rate, not the qualified rate. Or buy direct at flat-rate pricing.
3. Hidden Monthly Fees
Watch for fees that resellers add beyond Clover's standard pricing:
- PCI non-compliance fee ($50-150/month)
- Monthly minimum ($25/month)
- Statement fee ($10-15/month)
- Annual fee ($100-300/year)
- None of these exist on Clover's direct plans.
Test to Run
Clover vs. Square cost comparison (before committing):
- Estimate your monthly transactions: ___
- Estimate your monthly volume: $___
- Split by CP (in-person) vs CNP (online/keyed): __% CP, __% CNP
Calculate Clover cost:
CP fees: (CP volume x 2.3-2.6%) + (CP transactions x $0.10) [rate depends on business type]
CNP fees: (CNP volume x 3.5%) + (CNP transactions x $0.10)
Monthly software: $49.95 (Standard)
Hardware: $849 (Mini) / 12 months = $70.75/month amortized
Total monthly: ___
Calculate Square cost:
CP fees: (CP volume x 2.6%) + (CP transactions x $0.10)
CNP fees: (CNP volume x 2.9%) + (CNP transactions x $0.30) [online rate]
Monthly software: $0 (Free plan)
Hardware: $0 (free reader)
Total monthly: ___
Breakeven: Clover's lower CP rate (2.3% vs 2.6%) saves 0.3% per in-person transaction. You need roughly $17K/month in CP volume for the 0.3% savings to cover Clover's $50/month software fee. Above that, Clover is cheaper for in-person businesses.
Next Steps
Considering Clover?
- Buy direct from clover.com to avoid reseller markups
- Start with the Mini ($849) unless you need a full register
- Compare total cost (not just per-transaction rate) to Square
Already on Clover through a reseller?
- Check your effective rate vs. Clover's direct pricing
- Look for hidden fees on your statement
- If you're overpaying, ask the reseller to match direct pricing or switch
See Also
- Square - Main competitor for SMB POS
- Processor Comparison - Full comparison table
- Card-Present Terminal Decisions - Choosing the right hardware
- Processor Fees Guide - Spotting hidden fees