Choosing the right point of sale (POS) system is a critical decision for any business owner, as it impacts everything from daily operations to profit margins. More often than not, price will be a major facet of that decision.
In this article, we’ll dive into an in-depth comparison between two leading POS providers—Clover and Square. We’ll break down their pricing plans, processing fees, and the overall value they offer. Let’s explore which platform best suits you!
Clover vs. Square POS: A Quick Overview
Clover and Square both offer competitive rates, and each brings unique strengths and value points to the table. Understanding these unique strengths can empower you to select the best POS system for your business.
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Start Free TrialClover vs. Square Rates, Fees, and Pricing: A More Detailed Look
In the sections ahead, we’ll take an in-depth look at Square and Clover’s rates, fees, pricing models, and any potential hidden costs. Our side-by-side comparison will give you a clear picture of what you can expect to spend with each system.
Clover vs. Square: Pricing Plans
Square and Clover provide distinct pricing for software plans tailored to different business sizes and needs. Clover offers more customizable (but often pricier) options, while Square emphasizes simplicity and user-friendliness with its straightforward, minimalist approach.
Clover Subscription
Clover vs. Square: Processing Fees
Both Clover and Square are designed for businesses handling a high volume of daily transactions, but their merchant service fee structures differ significantly. To determine which system will cost you less in fees, consider the typical transaction size and frequency at your business.
Square POS Transactions Fees
Clover vs. Square: Hardware Costs
Clover and Square both offer a range of hardware options tailored to different business needs. While Square focuses on sleek, minimalist devices that prioritize versatility, Clover stands out with its more robust, customizable hardware solutions. Let’s dive into a comparison of the hardware costs for Clover vs. Square:
Clover Hardware Pricing
Square Hardware Pricing
Hardware Costs
Square offers a range of hardware solutions to suit different business needs:
Square Reader for Magstripe: The reader allows you to accept Magstripe card payments using a mobile device. Square offers the first reader for free.
Square Reader for Contactless and Chip (2nd Generation): This reader, available for $59, supports contactless payments and EMV chip cards.
Square Terminal: At $299 or $27/mo over 12 months, this all-in-one device enables you to accept payments, print receipts, and manage transactions without additional hardware.
Square Register: Starting at $799 or $39/mo over 24 months, it is a fully integrated POS system that features a customer-facing display and is designed for seamless payment processing.
Square Stand: For $149 or $14/mo over 12 months. The Square Stand transforms your iPad into a professional POS system that supports various payment methods.
Clover vs. Square: Hidden Fees and Costs
Although both Clover and Square advertise transparent pricing, there are additional costs that can sneak up on you depending on your business’s specific needs. From integration fees to optional add-ons, understanding these hidden costs is crucial to avoid surprises down the road. Let’s explore the potential fees you should be aware of with each system.
Clover Hidden Fees
- Hardware Leasing: Clover offers the option to lease hardware, but this can result in much higher long-term costs compared to purchasing the equipment outright. Leasing agreements can be tricky to exit and may lock you into long-term contracts.
- Additional Features and Software Costs: Clover’s basic software plan comes with essential features, but more advanced features like employee management, customer loyalty programs, and detailed analytics may come at additional costs, often requiring higher-tier subscriptions or third-party app integrations.
- App and Integration Fees: Clover’s app marketplace offers a wide range of third-party apps, but many of these come with monthly costs, which can add up if your business requires advanced tools beyond what’s provided in the standard package.
- Cancellation Fees: Depending on the agreement with your merchant service provider, you may face early termination fees if you decide to switch providers or cancel services before the contract ends.
Square Hidden Fees
- Advanced Features and Add-ons: Square’s base features are free, but advanced functionalities come with additional costs:
- Payroll Services: Starts at $35/mo + $6 per employee
- Marketing Tools: Pricing starts at $15/mo
- Customer Loyalty Programs: $45/mo
- Square for Retail/Restaurants: Custom pricing that adds extra costs for more advanced management features.
- Custom Hardware Costs: Square offers a free magstripe reader, but other hardware, such as the Square Register ($799) or the Square Terminal ($299), come at higher prices. Peripheral costs (e.g., receipt printers and cash drawers) can also add up.
- Dispute Fees: Square doesn’t charge for handling disputes directly, but if the dispute is lost, the associated chargeback could cost you both the transaction and a fee.
- International Card Fees: If you accept payments from international cards, you may incur additional fees, which could be higher than domestic rates.
You can also explore a comparison of POS systems with the lowest fees on our detailed guide.
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Learn MoreChoosing Between Clover and Square
When you're deciding between Clover and Square POS, of course, you must consider many factors. How many sales are you making in a day? What are your inventory management and reporting needs? What is the nature of your business? Considering these factors and more—and comparing them to each POS system's offerings—will make that decision clear.
Below, we take a look into specific use cases that make either Clover or Square POS more suitable for a business:
When to Choose Clover POS
- Established Businesses with High Monthly Sales: Clover’s fee structure tends to favor businesses with higher sales volumes. Using a Clover Fee Calculator can help you estimate your monthly costs and determine if Clover’s pricing aligns with your business needs. If your business processes a substantial amount of transactions each month, Clover’s subscription-based pricing (starting at around $14.95/month) can help offset the slightly lower transaction fees, which start at 2.3% + 10¢ per transaction.
- Businesses Needing Customizable Payment Plans: Clover offers more customizable payment solutions than Square, including plans that reduce transaction fees based on your monthly sales volume. If your business operates at scale, Clover may provide opportunities to negotiate lower rates.
When to Choose Square POS
- Small or New Businesses with Lower Transaction Volume: Square doesn’t require a monthly subscription, making it favorable to smaller businesses or those just starting. Instead, Square charges a flat 2.6% + $0.10 per transaction. If your business processes a lower volume of transactions, a lack of monthly fees helps keep costs down.
- Businesses Seeking Simple, Transparent Pricing: Square’s no-commitment, pay-as-you-go structure is appealing if you prefer a straightforward pricing model without worrying about subscription tiers. It’s perfect for businesses with fluctuating sales or seasonal operations where monthly fees would not justify the usage.
Clover vs. Square: Payment Processing
We’ve looked at Clover and Square POS reviews across the board to summarize the key features that merchants like and dislike about each integrated payment processing system.
Here’s what we found:
Clover Payment Processing Reviews
Clover Positives
- 24/7 phone and email support: Provides reliable customer service around the clock, ensuring assistance is available whenever needed.
- Free plan available for mobile card reader: Clover offers a no-cost entry point for small businesses using the mobile card reader, making it accessible for startups and mobile businesses.
- Robust app marketplace: Clover’s POS system integrates with various apps, enabling custom functionality for different types of businesses (e.g., restaurants, retail, and service industries).
Clover Negatives
- Contracts required: Businesses must commit to a contract, which can be restrictive for those who prefer month-to-month flexibility.
- Termination fees: Cancelling a contract early can result in hefty termination fees, making it costly to switch providers.
- Accounting integrations through third-party apps: Clover’s native accounting capabilities are limited, requiring users to rely on third-party apps (like QuickBooks) for more comprehensive accounting features, which could add complexity and additional costs.
See our guide for Clover POS alternatives.
Square Payment Processing Reviews
Square POS Positives
- Transparent pricing: Square’s prices are clearly displayed on its website. Its payment processing fees are a flat percentage of each transaction plus a flat fee.
- Diverse hardware lineup: Square offers various mobile and stationary POS hardware options, ranging from a pocket-sized reader that plugs into your phone to a register with two touch screens. Hardware accessories, such as barcode scanners, receipt prints, and cash drawers, are also available.
- Extensive Features: In addition to Square POS's core features, you can add additional features like a loyalty program, email marketing, payroll, or an online store to your setup.
- No chargeback fees: Many providers that handle payment processing charge the merchant a chargeback fee (anywhere from $20 to $100) whenever a customer disputes and/or reverses a credit or debit transaction. Square doesn’t do that.
Square POS Negatives
- Relatively Basic Features: Square certainly meets the needs of many of its merchants. However, other POS systems designed for a specific industry might offer even more features that meet the nuanced needs of a restaurant, for example.
- Account Freezes: A Square POS account may be frozen or deactivated for a number of reasons, including high-risk activities or account activation issues.
Check out our in-depth look at how Square's customer service stacks up.
Clover vs Square: Who Has the Best Rates Overall?
Ultimately, the best POS system depends on your business’s specific needs. Clover offers more flexibility in payment processors and hardware, while Square provides a more affordable and user-friendly experience for smaller businesses.
If you're looking for a robust, processor-agnostic solution, KORONA POS might be the perfect fit. Sign up for a free trial to see how it stacks up.
Speak with a product specialist and learn what KORONA POS can do for your business.
Get A QuotePayment Processor Agnostic Alternative to Clover and Square: KORONA POS
Both Clover and Square have benefits, but neither is fully processor-agnostic, and each has some limitations—whether in hardware or fee structures.
Alternatively, KORONA POS allows you to choose your payment processor and comes with a host of advanced features like 24/7 support and comprehensive inventory management without any hidden fees. It’s a scalable, flexible solution for businesses that need a robust POS system.
Clover vs. Square Rates FAQ
It depends on your business needs. Square offers a more affordable entry-level plan, but Clover can offer better rates for high-volume businesses with custom pricing.
Clover charges 2.3% + 10¢ per in-person transaction, with higher fees for online and custom rates for high-volume transactions.
Square charges 2.6% + 10¢ per in-person transaction, with additional fees for online and custom options for large businesses.
Yes, both Clover and Square offer custom pricing and discounts for high-volume businesses.
Neither system imposes strict transaction limits, but fees can vary based on transaction volume.
Clover Vs. Square Rates: Wrapping Up
Clover and Square offer competitive rates, but which is best for you depends on your business model. While Square is perfect for startups and small businesses, Clover’s flexibility makes it ideal for growing companies.
If neither system fits your needs, KORONA POS provides a powerful, customizable alternative that is processor-agnostic and feature-rich. Contact us today to get started!