Choosing between Clover and Square for your business? Both are popular multi-industry solutions, but they serve different needs. Clover starts at $14.95/month (software) + hardware costs and is Customizable POS with sleek hardware and app marketplace, while Square starts at Free (2.6% + 10¢ per transaction) and is All-in-one payment and business management platform. This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which POS system is the right fit for your operation.
Quick Comparison: Clover vs Square
| Feature | Clover | Square |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Multi-Industry | Multi-Industry |
| Starting Price | $14.95/month (software) + hardware costs | Free (2.6% + 10¢ per transaction) |
| Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.7/5 |
| Target Business | Small Business | Small Business |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Freemium |
| Free Trial | No | No |
| Free Version | No | Yes |
| Best For | Small to medium retail and restaurant businesses wanting premium hardware | Small retail shops, food trucks, service businesses, and startups |
Clover Overview
Clover is a versatile POS system offering customizable hardware and software solutions for retail, restaurant, and service businesses. Known for its sleek hardware design and app marketplace.
Clover is offered by Fiserv (formerly First Data) (founded 2010) based in Sunnyvale, CA. The system focuses on Retail, Restaurants, Services, Professional Services.
Key Features:
- App marketplace
- Employee management
- Inventory tracking
- Customer engagement
- Reporting
- Online ordering
Square Overview
Square is a comprehensive payment and point-of-sale platform that helps businesses of all sizes accept payments, manage inventory, and grow their business. Known for its iconic card reader and user-friendly interface.
Square is offered by Block, Inc. (formerly Square, Inc.) (founded 2009) based in San Francisco, CA. The system focuses on Retail, Restaurants, Services, Appointments.
Key Features:
- Free POS app
- Inventory management
- Employee management
- Customer directory
- Analytics dashboard
- Online ordering
Feature Comparison
Clover Features:
- App marketplace
- Employee management
- Inventory tracking
- Customer engagement
- Reporting
Square Features:
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- Inventory management
- Employee management
- Customer directory
- Analytics dashboard
When comparing features, Clover stands out with Extensive app ecosystem, while Square differentiates itself with No monthly fees. Your choice should depend on which features align better with your specific business requirements.
Pricing Comparison
| Pricing Aspect | Clover | Square |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $14.95/month (software) + hardware costs | Free (2.6% + 10¢ per transaction) |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Freemium |
| Price Range | Mid-range | Budget |
| Free Trial | Not available | Not available |
| Free Version | No | Yes |
Square is more budget-friendly, making it a better choice for cost-conscious businesses. Consider the total cost of ownership including hardware, processing fees, and add-on modules when making your decision.
Pros and Cons
Clover
Pros:
- Beautiful hardware design
- Extensive app marketplace
- Flexible configurations
- Multiple hardware options
- Strong payment processing
Cons:
- Locked to Fiserv processing
- Hardware is proprietary
- Pricing can be confusing
- Contract requirements vary
Square
Pros:
- No monthly fees for basic plan
- Easy setup and use
- Excellent mobile app
- Strong ecosystem of add-ons
- Transparent pricing
Cons:
- Transaction fees can add up
- Limited customization
- Account stability concerns for high-risk businesses
Who Should Choose Clover?
Clover is ideal for Small to medium retail and restaurant businesses wanting premium hardware. The system is particularly well-suited for Retail, Restaurants, Services, Professional Services.
However, Clover may not be the best fit for Businesses wanting processor flexibility.
Who Should Choose Square?
Square is ideal for Small retail shops, food trucks, service businesses, and startups. The system is particularly well-suited for Retail, Restaurants, Services, Appointments.
However, Square may not be the best fit for Large enterprises needing deep customization.
Our Recommendation
Both Clover and Square are solid POS solutions, but they excel in different areas. Choose Clover if you’re Small to medium retail and restaurant businesses wanting premium hardware. Choose Square if you’re Small retail shops, food trucks, service businesses, and startups. Square has a higher user rating (4.7 vs 4.3). Also, choose Square if you want to start with a free version. We recommend trying demos or free trials of both systems before making your final decision.
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