When comparing Clover vs POS Nation, you’re looking at two distinct approaches to multi-industry point-of-sale technology. Clover, rated 4.3/5, offers Small to medium retail and restaurant businesses wanting premium hardware. Meanwhile, POS Nation, rated 4.4/5, provides Liquor stores, tobacco shops, convenience stores. Let’s dive into the details to help you make an informed decision.
Quick Comparison: Clover vs POS Nation
| Feature | Clover | POS Nation |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Multi-Industry | Retail |
| Starting Price | $14.95/month (software) + hardware costs | $99/month or one-time purchase |
| Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.4/5 |
| Target Business | Small Business | Small Business to Mid-Market |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Quote-based |
| Free Trial | No | Yes |
| Free Version | No | No |
| Best For | Small to medium retail and restaurant businesses wanting premium hardware | Liquor stores, tobacco shops, convenience stores |
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
POS Nation Overview
POS Nation provides point-of-sale systems for retail stores, liquor stores, tobacco shops, and grocery stores. Features inventory management, age verification, and tobacco scan compliance.
POS Nation is offered by POS Nation (founded 2001) based in Charlotte, NC. The system focuses on Liquor Stores, Tobacco, Convenience.
Key Features:
- POS
- Inventory Management
- Age Verification
- Tobacco Compliance
- E-commerce
- Reporting
Feature Comparison
Clover Features:
- App marketplace
- Employee management
- Inventory tracking
- Customer engagement
- Reporting
POS Nation Features:
- POS
- Inventory Management
- Age Verification
- Tobacco Compliance
- E-commerce
When comparing features, Clover stands out with Extensive app ecosystem, while POS Nation differentiates itself with Age-restricted retail expertise. Your choice should depend on which features align better with your specific business requirements.
Pricing Comparison
| Pricing Aspect | Clover | POS Nation |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $14.95/month (software) + hardware costs | $99/month or one-time purchase |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Quote-based |
| 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
POS Nation
Pros:
- Industry specialization
- Compliance features
- Flexible pricing
- Good support
Cons:
- Niche market focus
- Add-on costs
- Hardware required
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 POS Nation?
POS Nation is ideal for Liquor stores, tobacco shops, convenience stores. The system is particularly well-suited for Liquor Stores, Tobacco, Convenience.
However, POS Nation may not be the best fit for Restaurants or apparel retail.
Our Recommendation
Both Clover and POS Nation 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 POS Nation if you’re Liquor stores, tobacco shops, convenience stores. POS Nation 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.