Clover vs Square POS (2025): Full Side-by-Side Comparison for Small Businesses

Choosing a Point of Sale (POS) system feels like a huge decision – it’s the nerve center of your daily operations, handling everything from ringing up sales to managing inventory and tracking customer data. When you start looking, two names pop up everywhere: Square and Clover.

Both offer sleek hardware and powerful software designed for modern small businesses. But they operate quite differently under the hood, especially regarding how you buy them and who handles your payments.
Square is known for its simplicity and direct approach. You get everything – hardware, software, and payment processing – directly from Square. They offer transparent pricing and flexible, often month-to-month terms, making them super accessible, especially for new businesses.

Clover, owned by Fiserv (a massive payment processing company), offers highly capable, stylish hardware and a robust app market. However, Clover systems are typically sold through third-party banks and merchant service providers (like Wells Fargo, Bank of America, or smaller ISOs). This means your pricing, contract terms, and even customer support experience can vary wildly depending on who you buy it from.
So, are you looking for the straightforward, all-in-one simplicity of Square, or the potentially more customizable (but complex to purchase) power of Clover? This data-driven, easy-to-understand comparison will break down the key differences in hardware, software features, pricing complexities, and overall value to help you choose the best fit for your business.

Key points (quick summary)

• Square is best for… Simplicity, transparency, and flexibility. Ideal for startups, small retailers, cafes, mobile businesses, and those who prefer predictable pricing and no long-term contracts.
• Clover is stronger in… Hardware variety and app customization (potentially). Good for established businesses, restaurants needing specific features via apps, and those who might get a good deal through their existing bank or merchant processor (but must compare offers carefully).
• The main difference in pricing is… Square offers clear, public pricing for software tiers (including a free plan) and payment processing, usually with month-to-month terms. Clover has software tiers, but hardware costs, payment processing rates, and contract terms (often 3+ years) are set by the reseller (your bank or merchant provider), requiring careful shopping and negotiation.
• The key feature that separates them is… Square’s integrated hardware, software, and payment processing directly from one company vs. Clover’s hardware/software platform sold through various third-party merchant account providers.
• The ideal audience for Square is… New businesses, mobile vendors, boutiques, coffee shops, and anyone prioritizing ease of use, predictable costs, and flexibility.
• The ideal audience for Clover is… Established retail stores or restaurants needing specific functionalities available on the Clover App Market, and businesses comfortable negotiating contracts and comparing offers from merchant service providers.

Quick Overview: Clover vs Square POS

Before diving deeper, here’s a quick side-by-side view of the key differences between Clover and Square:

✅ Choose Clover for premium in-store operations.
✅ Choose Square for flexible, mobile-friendly businesses.

4.1

(6)

Price – Starting from

Starter Retail

$13

/mo

For 36 months

Pros

• Attractive pricing 30-day trial at no cost
• Affordable hardware beginning at $49
• Feature-packed Ideal for businesses with an online presence

Cons

• You can’t apply for the POS online; it requires interaction with a sales representative
• Pricing information isn’t clear-cut

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4.4

(4)

Price – Starting from

Free

$0

/mo

+ processing fees

Pros

• No monthly payment
• Next-business-day transfers
• Inexpensive long-term option

Cons

• Not great for all industries
• Some performance issues

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Market position & ideal use cases

Square revolutionized mobile payments and has become a go-to for millions of small businesses worldwide. Its philosophy is built on accessibility and simplicity. Square POS, including its specialized versions (Square for Retail, Square for Restaurants, Square Appointments), offers a straightforward, integrated experience. You sign up, get your hardware (sometimes even a free basic reader), and start selling.

Ideal for: Coffee shops, boutiques, salons, contractors, food trucks, market vendors, pop-ups, online sellers, and any business wanting an easy start with predictable fees and no long-term commitment.

Clover offers a sleek, modern POS experience with a wide range of proprietary hardware devices. Owned by Fiserv, a global payment processing leader, Clover systems are primarily distributed through banks and independent sales organizations (ISOs). This distribution model means it’s often pitched by the bank where a business has its checking account. Its strength lies in its versatile hardware and a large app market for adding specialized features.

Ideal for: Small to medium-sized retail stores, full-service restaurants, counter-service eateries, and service businesses that need specific functions (like advanced inventory or loyalty programs) found in the Clover App Market, provided they secure a favorable contract from a reputable reseller.

POS Features Comparison: Clover vs Square

Choosing a POS system means understanding the available features. Let’s compare Clover POS and Square POS feature-by-feature:

✅ Clover good for restaurants, full retail stores, and healthcare clinics that need deep management tools.
✅ Square good for new businesses, food trucks, pop-up stores, and online retailers who need an easy setup.

Key difference: App markets

• Square App Marketplace: Offers integrations (~350+) with third-party apps like QuickBooks, Xero, Mailchimp, etc., to extend functionality.
• Clover App Market: Very large (~500+ apps). Offers many specialized apps (often with their own monthly fees) for niche retail or restaurant functions, loyalty programs, advanced inventory, etc. This is a major strength if you need those specific functions and factor in the app costs.

Reporting, analytics & insights

• Square: Provides excellent, easy-to-understand real-time reporting via the Square Dashboard (web and mobile). Covers sales trends, item performance, customer behavior, and basic labor reporting. More advanced reports are available in the paid industry-specific plans.
• Clover: Offers solid reporting capabilities, accessible on the device and via a web dashboard. Standard reports cover sales, payments, items, and employees. More detailed analytics (e.g., tracking profitability, advanced inventory reports) often require higher-tier software plans (like Register or Register Lite) or specific apps from the market.

Integrations & connected tools

• Square: Focuses on integrating with popular, mainstream small business software (accounting like QuickBooks/Xero, email marketing, e-commerce platforms like WooCommerce). Its API allows for custom integrations.
• Clover: Integrates with major accounting software and offers many specialized integrations via its App Market, connecting to niche industry tools (e.g., specific restaurant management platforms, retail analytics). The quality and cost of these app integrations can vary.

AI, automation & smart features

• Square: Increasingly uses AI in its ecosystem, particularly for customer engagement (Square Marketing suggesting campaigns), risk management, and potentially in future inventory/sales forecasting features.
• Clover: Leverages AI through Fiserv’s network for advanced fraud detection. Some apps on the Clover market utilize AI for analytics, customer insights, or automation.

Pricing and Payment Processing Fees: Clover vs Square POS

Understanding cost is critical for small businesses when comparing POS systems.

How Does Payment Processing Compare Between Clover and Square?

Payment processing fees can impact your bottom line — here’s how Clover’s merchant services compare to Square’s payment processing:

✅ Square POS is better for transparent, no-contract processing.

Hardware Options

Your business needs reliable hardware. Here’s a side-by-side breakdown of Clover hardware and Square hardware:

Clover POS Hardware Options

• Clover Station Duo
  • Full-sized POS with dual screens (staff + customer)
  • Built-in receipt printer
  • Option to connect a cash drawer
  • Best for: Full-service restaurants, busy retail stores, healthcare offices

• Clover Station Solo
  • Single large touchscreen terminal
  • Integrated printer
  • No customer-facing screen
  • Best for: Quick-service restaurants, retail counters, mid-sized businesses

• Clover Mini
  • Compact POS device with a small touchscreen
  • Built-in printer and payment acceptance
  • Access to Clover App Market
  • Best for: Small shops, cafes, salons, boutiques

• Clover Flex
  • Handheld mobile POS
  • Accepts cards, prints receipts, tracks inventory
  • Wi-Fi or LTE connectivity options
  • Best for: Tableside ordering, curbside pickup, mobile businesses

• Clover Go
  • Bluetooth mobile card reader
  • Connects to smartphones and tablets
  • Lightweight and portable
  • Best for: Freelancers, pop-up shops, mobile vendors

Square POS Hardware Options

• Square Register
  • All-in-one touchscreen POS with customer-facing display
  • Built-in card reader and countertop setup
  • No extra tablet needed
  • Best for: Retail stores, fast-casual restaurants, cafes

• Square Terminal
  • Portable, battery-powered device
  • Accepts chip cards, magstripe, and contactless payments
  • Prints receipts directly
  • Best for: Cafes, mobile checkout, restaurants needing tableside service

• Square Stand
  • Stand that turns an iPad into a full POS system
  • Built-in card reader for payments
  • Swivel design for easy customer interaction
  • Best for: Small shops, quick-service counters, salons

• Square Reader for Contactless and Chip
  • Pocket-sized wireless reader
  • Accepts tap and chip payments
  • Works with smartphones or tablets
  • Best for: Mobile businesses, service providers on the go

• Square Magstripe Reader
  • Basic free reader for swiping magstripe cards
  • Connects via headphone jack or Lightning connector
  • Best for: New businesses starting with minimal equipment

Does Clover or Square Support E-commerce Better?

Selling online is now crucial. Let’s compare e-commerce features:

✅ Square POS is better if you want built-in e-commerce.

Merchant Processing Flexibility

How easily can the POS system grow with your business?

Which Industries Are Best Served by Clover and Square?

Different industries have unique requirements; here’s how each POS system aligns.

Customer Support and Help Resources

Getting fast help matters when running a business. Here’s the support side-by-side:

Pros and Cons of Clover POS vs Square POS

Real-world scenarios / use case analysis

Example 1: The new independent coffee shop

• Need: Easy-to-use countertop POS for taking orders and payments quickly, simple inventory tracking for cups/lids/beans, a basic loyalty program, and the ability to easily add online ordering later. Needs low startup cost and flexibility.
• Better Choice: Square POS (Free or Plus plan)
• Reason: Square’s free plan covers the basics, keeping initial costs minimal. They can use a Square Stand with an iPad or a Square Register. Setup is DIY and fast. Adding Square Loyalty or Square Online later is seamless. The month-to-month term is ideal for a new venture. Negotiating a Clover contract would likely be more complex and costly upfront.

Example 2: The established multi-location boutique retailer

• Need: POS system for two stores, advanced inventory management (tracking variants like size/color, purchase orders, vendor management), a robust customer loyalty program integrated with email marketing, and potentially specific integrations with their existing e-commerce platform. Comfortable signing a contract if the features and rates are right.
• Better Choice: Potentially Clover (with careful vetting) or Square for Retail (Plus plan)

Reason: Clover’s App Market might offer specialized retail inventory or loyalty apps that perfectly fit their needs, potentially exceeding Square for Retail’s built-in features. However, they MUST get multiple quotes from different Clover resellers, compare processing rates and contract terms meticulously, and factor in app costs. Square for Retail (Plus) offers strong built-in inventory and is simpler to purchase with predictable costs and terms, making it a very strong and often safer contender.

Conclusion

Both Clover and Square POS offer robust solutions tailored to different business needs.

• Choose Clover POS if you’re an established restaurant, retail store, or healthcare provider seeking high-end hardware and comprehensive features.
• Opt for Square POS if you’re a new business, mobile seller, or retailer looking for low upfront costs and flexibility to grow both online and offline.

Pro Tip: Consider your business’s growth trajectory over the next 1–2 years. Selecting the right POS system now can save time, money, and operational headaches in the future.

FAQ: Clover vs Square POS

What is better: Clover or Square POS?

It depends on your business type. Clover POS is better for established restaurants, retail stores, and healthcare offices needing premium hardware and full-service features. Square POS is better for small retailers, mobile businesses, and startups looking for flexibility, low costs, and e-commerce support.

Is Square POS free?

Yes, Square POS offers a free basic version with no monthly software fees.

Does Clover POS support e-commerce?

Clover POS does not have a built-in online store but supports e-commerce through third-party integrations.

What are Clover POS processing fees?

Clover POS processing fees typically average around 2.3% + 10¢ per swipe, but the rates can vary depending on the reseller.

Does Clover POS have monthly fees?

Yes, Clover POS requires a monthly subscription starting at $14.95, depending on your plan and business type.

Does Square POS have hidden fees?

No, Square POS uses flat, transparent pricing with no hidden fees or long-term contracts.

Can you use Clover POS without Fiserv?

In most cases, no. Clover POS is tied to Fiserv (or approved resellers) for payment processing.

Can you use Square POS offline?

Yes, Square POS supports offline mode for in-person transactions.

Does Square POS work for restaurants?

Yes, Square offers Square for Restaurants, a tailored POS solution with table management, menu customization, and online ordering.

Can Clover POS be customized for different industries?

Yes, Clover POS offers apps and hardware bundles customized for industries like restaurants, retail, and healthcare.