Whether you own a retail store, an online store, or a restaurant, you need some way to process card payments. There are plenty of point-of-sale systems (POS systems) on the market, but two of the most common service providers are Clover and Square. They share many similarities, but we’ll help you compare Square vs. Clover so you can get the most bang for your buck.
POS software lets you turn an iPad or tablet into a payment processor for card transactions — but many providers allow you to do much more than that. From invoicing and organizing shifts to inventory management and sales reporting, an all-in-one POS can help you with various elements of your business.
In this guide, we’ll break down the Square vs. Clover differences so you can pick the right POS for your business needs.
Square and Clover offer cloud-based payment processing solutions and can help you accept various payment types, regardless of the business you run. From EMV chip cards and magstripe cards to contactless payments and Apple Pay, both POS apps can process debit and credit card payments quickly and easily.
Both user-friendly POS systems have various options depending on your business type. For example, Square for Retail best suits stores, while Square for Restaurants works better for food businesses.
Overall, Square POS tends to be more of a plug-and-play solution that’s affordable and straightforward. If you want something inexpensive with a quick setup, Square is ideal. Clover POS is more flexible but complex and has higher startup costs.
Both POS solutions can help streamline your business, but one is likely better for your needs. Let’s look at the main differences between Square vs. Clover so you can choose what’s best for you.
Clover and Square have similar features and functionality; the main difference is whether these are included as standard or optional add-ons.
Square and Clover both include:
Debit and credit card processing
Gift card payment processing
Payment protection
Order management
Digital receipts
Customer relationship management (CRM) tools like a customer directory
Online ordering
Square offers the following features as add-ons, which are available for an extra fee. They’re included as standard with Clover software:
Employee management
Email marketing
Payroll
Square users can also access the Square App Marketplace, which allows you to customize the system without coding. For example, you can use Square POS software with apps like KioskBuddy to turn your tablet into a self-service kiosk.
Clover offers more features and better functionality than Square — but you’ll end up paying more in upfront costs and monthly fees (see the pricing section below). If you don’t need the extra features, you could save money by choosing Square.
Let’s take a more detailed look at some of the specific features of Square and Clover.
Clover and Square both process payments, but they do this differently.
Payments on Square go through Square’s merchant account, which funnels money into the business owner’s bank account. Since the payments go through Square, you don’t need to set anything up. It’s simple and scores highly here for ease of use.
Clover software lets you set up your own merchant account. You can use Clover’s own merchant account or third-party processing companies like Wells Fargo or Citi. If you already have a merchant services provider and don’t want to switch, Clover lets you stay where you are.
If you need e-commerce functionality, both Square and Clover can be good options.
Square Online Checkout lets you process online debit and credit card payments using Shopify — and you don’t need to do any coding. Simply use the drag-and-drop website builder to add a “Buy Now” button to your site, and you’re good to go.
Clover’s eCommerce POS partners with BigCommerce to let you sell on your website and social platforms. It has more features than Square, including inventory syncing, omnichannel reports in a real-time dashboard, and a third-party app market for custom integrations. However, you’ll need some coding knowledge to use the more advanced features, so it’s not ideal for beginners.
The payment options for Square vs. Clover are the main difference between these two POS solutions. Clover is more expensive overall, but it includes features that Square software charges extra for.
Clover’s Retail POS is priced as follows:
The Starter plan costs $799 plus $14.95 per month.
Transaction fees are 2.6% plus $0.10 when the card is present.
Keyed-in transactions have a higher rate, at 3.5% plus $0.10 per transaction.
By comparison, the Square Retail POS pricing structure is as follows:
Square offers its software plans with no start-up cost. You’ll pay a $0 or $60 monthly fee, depending on your membership level.
In-person transactions range from 2.5% to 2.6% plus $0.10, while online transactions are 2.9% plus $0.30.
Custom pricing structures are available if you process over $250,000 annually.
The pricing for Clover’s restaurant software is as follows:
You’ll pay $1,699 as a one-time startup fee, plus $84.95 per month.
In-person transaction fees are 2.3% plus $0.10, while card-not-present transactions have a fee of 3.5% plus $0.10.
Square for Restaurants has the following pricing structure:
As with its retail POS, Square for Restaurants has no startup cost.
A free membership option is available, which is perfect for smaller businesses. Alternatively, you can pay $60 per month if you run a multi-location restaurant business.
In-person processing fees are 2.6% plus $0.10, and online transactions are 2.9% plus $0.30.
The pricing options for Square vs. Clover could be a deciding factor for business owners. Clover’s higher monthly cost and sign-up price could be off-putting if you don’t have much budget for this type of software; Square is an affordable solution if you want a small business POS.
Now that you have a better idea of the functionality of Square’s and Clover’s POS software, it’s a good idea to consider what POS hardware you’ll need to purchase for use in your business.
The Square and Clover apps are compatible with Android and iOS, meaning they can work with your existing tablet or iPad. However, both offer a wide range of additional hardware to increase functionality and process payments more easily.
Square has a range of POS hardware to suit most business needs.
The Square Register is a fully functional POS with two displays, a built-in credit card reader, and offline functionality. It costs $799, but you don’t need to provide your own tablet.
If you’d prefer to use your existing hardware, Square has excellent hardware options. The Square Terminal is an all-in-one card reader with built-in POS software. You can use it with Square POS on your tablet or combine it with other Square software. It costs $299.
If you don’t need a full-sized card reader, the Square Reader lets you accept card payments on the go by plugging into your tablet or smartphone. You can receive one for free when you sign up for Square POS, making this an excellent solution for early-stage businesses.
Square also sells tablet stands (the Square Stand and the Square Kiosk mount) that let you mount your iPad for use as a POS or self-service kiosk. Both have built-in card readers, so you can keep hardware to a minimum.
Hardware accessories, such as a cash drawer and receipt printer, are also available with Square.
There are various Clover devices available, too.
The Clover Station Duo is roughly equivalent to the Square Register, but the Clover hardware includes a cash drawer and receipt printer. It’s $1,799, and users must also pay a monthly fee of $44.95 (for retail) or $54.95 (for quick-service dining).
Like the Square Terminal, Clover Flex is a mobile POS that works as a card reader and receipt printer in one. It accepts chip, swipe, or contactless payments, but at $599, it’s more expensive than the Square alternative.
If you’re looking for a cheaper option, Clover Go is a plug-in card reader that works with the Clover app on your iPhone or smartphone. At just $49, it’s the cheapest hardware option from Clover, but you’ll need to add a POS plan to use all the features.
In the battle of Square vs. Clover, there are no clear winners. It all comes down to what works best for your business. The two platforms have slightly different features and pricing structures, but both allow you to process payments. Consider the features your business needs and choose the option that suits you.
KioskBuddy can work with Square POS to turn a touchscreen tablet into a countertop self-service device. Customers can place and pay for their restaurant orders or scan their own items in a retail store using the app’s barcode scanner and your tablet‘s camera. It’s quick and easy to set up — all you need is a Square account, the Square payment hardware, and KioskBuddy.
Sign up for KioskBuddy now to try it yourself.