Choosing between Clover and Vend 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 Vend starts at $89/month and is Cloud retail POS now integrated into Lightspeed.. This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which POS system is the right fit for your operation.
Quick Comparison: Clover vs Vend
| Feature | Clover | Vend |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Multi-Industry | Retail |
| Starting Price | $14.95/month (software) + hardware costs | $89/month |
| Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.4/5 |
| Target Business | Small Business | Small Business |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Free Trial | No | Yes |
| Free Version | No | No |
| Best For | Small to medium retail and restaurant businesses wanting premium hardware | Retail stores wanting easy setup and multi-device flexibility |
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
Vend Overview
Vend, now part of Lightspeed Retail, is a cloud-based retail POS offering inventory management, customer loyalty, and multi-store capabilities. Known for ease of use and works on iPad, Mac, and PC.
Vend is offered by Lightspeed Commerce (founded 2010) based in Auckland, New Zealand. The system focuses on Retail, Fashion, Electronics, Home Goods.
Key Features:
- Cloud-based POS
- Inventory management
- Customer loyalty
- Multi-store support
- eCommerce integration
- Reporting
Feature Comparison
Clover Features:
- App marketplace
- Employee management
- Inventory tracking
- Customer engagement
- Reporting
Vend Features:
- Cloud-based POS
- Inventory management
- Customer loyalty
- Multi-store support
- eCommerce integration
When comparing features, Clover stands out with Extensive app ecosystem, while Vend differentiates itself with Multi-platform (iPad/Mac/PC). Your choice should depend on which features align better with your specific business requirements.
Pricing Comparison
| Pricing Aspect | Clover | Vend |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $14.95/month (software) + hardware costs | $89/month |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Price Range | Mid-range | Mid-range |
| Free Trial | Not available | Available |
| Free Version | No | No |
Both systems offer competitive pricing for their respective feature sets. 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
Vend
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Works on any device
- Strong inventory features
- Good customer support
- Now backed by Lightspeed
Cons:
- Limited restaurant features
- Pricing increased after Lightspeed acquisition
- eCommerce requires add-on
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 Vend?
Vend is ideal for Retail stores wanting easy setup and multi-device flexibility. The system is particularly well-suited for Retail, Fashion, Electronics, Home Goods.
However, Vend may not be the best fit for Restaurants, large enterprises.
Our Recommendation
Both Clover and Vend 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 Vend if you’re Retail stores wanting easy setup and multi-device flexibility. Vend has a higher user rating (4.4 vs 4.3). We recommend trying demos or free trials of both systems before making your final decision.