When comparing Square vs Clover, you’re looking at two distinct approaches to multi-industry point-of-sale technology. Square, rated 4.7/5, offers Small retail shops, food trucks, service businesses, and startups. Meanwhile, Clover, rated 4.3/5, provides Small to medium retail and restaurant businesses wanting premium hardware. Let’s dive into the details to help you make an informed decision.
Quick Comparison: Square vs Clover
| Feature | Square | Clover |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Multi-Industry | Multi-Industry |
| Starting Price | Free (2.6% + 10¢ per transaction) | $14.95/month (software) + hardware costs |
| Rating | 4.7/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Target Business | Small Business | Small Business |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Subscription |
| Free Trial | No | No |
| Free Version | Yes | No |
| Best For | Small retail shops, food trucks, service businesses, and startups | Small to medium retail and restaurant businesses wanting premium hardware |
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
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
Feature Comparison
Square Features:
- Free POS app
- Inventory management
- Employee management
- Customer directory
- Analytics dashboard
Clover Features:
- App marketplace
- Employee management
- Inventory tracking
- Customer engagement
- Reporting
When comparing features, Square stands out with No monthly fees, while Clover differentiates itself with Extensive app ecosystem. Your choice should depend on which features align better with your specific business requirements.
Pricing Comparison
| Pricing Aspect | Square | Clover |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | Free (2.6% + 10¢ per transaction) | $14.95/month (software) + hardware costs |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Subscription |
| Price Range | Budget | Mid-range |
| Free Trial | Not available | Not available |
| Free Version | Yes | No |
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
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
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
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.
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.
Our Recommendation
Both Square and Clover are solid POS solutions, but they excel in different areas. Choose Square if you’re Small retail shops, food trucks, service businesses, and startups. Choose Clover if you’re Small to medium retail and restaurant businesses wanting premium hardware. 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.