Clover POS Review 2024: Cost, Plans, Features And More

Clover review 2024: Cost, plans, features and more

Sarah Li Cain

BLUEPRINT

Updated 4:34 a.m. UTC Jan. 25, 2024

Blueprint Rating

Learn More

Via Clover's website

Pros

Trial version available.
Fast setup and deployment.
24/7 customer support.

Cons

Monthly fee.
Need to use Clover hardware.
No free hardware.

Why trust our small business experts

Our team of experts evaluates hundreds of business products and analyzes thousands of data points to help you find the best product for your situation. We use a data-driven methodology to determine each rating. Advertisers do not influence our editorial content. You can read more about our methodology below.

27 companies reviewed.
11 hours of product testing.
1,674 data points analyzed.

Featured credit card processing offers

Stax

Learn More

Via Stax’s website

Monthly fee

$99

Swiped transaction fee

7¢ to 10¢ + interchange rate

Merchant One

Learn More

Via Merchant One’s website

Monthly fee

$13.95

Swiped transaction fee

0.29% to 1.55% per transaction

Payment Depot

Learn More

Via Payment Depot’s webiste

Free Trial

Offers

$0 Setup & No Cancellation Fees

Pricing

Customized Interchange+ Pricing – Rates as low as 0.2% – 1.95%

Clover

Learn More

Via Clover’s website

Monthly fee

$14.95

Swiped transaction fee

2.6% + 10¢

Clover overview

Founded in 2010 by John Beatty, Kelvin Zheng, Leonard Speiser and Mark Schulze, Clover is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California. Their business focuses on helping merchants with streamlined payment solutions through software and hardware offerings. Customers pay a monthly flat rate to access various options, with the ability to set up and upgrade their equipment at any time. Clover also offers add-on services to help your business grow, including the ability to offer gift cards, increase customer loyalty, and features to keep customer data more secure. A number of resellers offer Clover devices, including major financial institutions such as PNC and Wells Fargo, as well as vendors such as Restaurant Depot.

Overall, Clover is rated average amongst its customers on third-party websites. For instance, Trustpilot has an average rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars based on 766 reviews. Some customers noted quick responses from Clover representatives, including the fact that many were knowledgeable and patient in helping to set up systems.

How much does Clover cost?

CLOVER'S COST
Pricing structure	Subscription flat rate, Interchange-plus
Monthly fee	$14.95
Online transaction fee	2.6% + 10 cents
Swiped/chipped transaction fee	2.6% + 10 cents
Keyed transaction fee	3.5% + 10 cents
Chargeback fee	$25
Free equipment	No
High-risk merchant	No

Clover credit card processing

Pricing

Clover’s credit card processing services require business owners to pay a monthly subscription on top of charging interchange-plus transaction fees. Businesses that use Clover’s Virtual Terminal don’t need to pay the $14.95 monthly fee for payment processing services, but those that purchase physical POS systems do.

If you’re looking for a payment processor that doesn’t charge monthly fees, consider Square or Stripe. Square even provides its customers with a free card reader to begin accepting in-person payments.

While not all companies on our best credit card processing list require businesses to pay a monthly fee, Clover’s transaction fees and $25 chargeback fee are fairly average in comparison to the other companies we reviewed.

Businesses can expect to pay the following transaction fees:

Online transaction fee: 2.6% + 10 cents
Keyed transaction fee: 3.5% + 10 cents
Swiped/chipped transaction fee: 2.6% + 10 cents

Features and add-ons

With Clover’s credit card processing, you will be required to use a Clover POS system – (virtual or physical devices). Clover offers a 30-day free trial for its physical POS systems. POS devices include features to help businesses with tracking and reporting, inventory management, customer engagement and employee management. Clover also offers additional services such as Rapid Deposit, an enhanced cash flow service that gets business owners funds faster. Clover also offers industry-specific POS systems with features designed to cater to the needs of your business type.

Whatever credit card payment processing service you are looking for, it’s important to determine what features are important to you and your business. Greg Cohen, Chairman & CEO at Fortis, a company that helps businesses integrate payment solutions, suggests looking beyond pricing when comparing providers.

“Business leaders should determine where clients are engaging, whether that be in-store, online, through mobile phones, invoice or text,” he says. “Then, look for a provider who can help drive acceptance in each of those mediums for today and in the future.”

For example, businesses can look at whether or not chargebacks are frequent in their industry or business. If so, it may be beneficial to look at a payment processor that offers tools to manage this pain point. That, or at the very least, charges lower chargeback fees.

Equipment

Clover’s credit card processing service can be used with or without a Clover POS system. Clover’s Virtual Terminal allows businesses to process credit card transactions online or on the phone by accessing the web dashboard on a computer, phone or tablet. However, if your business wants to accept credit card payments in person, you will be better suited by one of Clover’s POS devices. Equipment choices include portable card readers all the way to robust POS systems, which accept credit cards from major retailers, as well as Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay.

Who it’s best for

Clover’s credit card processing and hardware is especially helpful for restaurants looking for an all-in-one solution to payment processing. Its restaurant POS solutions provide features that allow your staff to split checks, issue gift cards and integrate with food delivery services like UberEats. Restaurants who sign up for Clover Dining can also use a scan-to-pay feature, where customers use their smartphone to scan a QR code on their receipt and pay for their meal using Apple Pay.

Clover customer support and experience

Customers can contact Clover’s 24/7 phone support. You can find your dedicated support phone number by logging into your Clover account or looking at the top of your POS device. Otherwise, you can contact their merchant hotline for assistance. There are numbers dedicated to businesses in the U.S. and other countries. Customers can also access live chat 24/7 at the bottom of Clover’s website. The company claims it usually replies in under three minutes.

According to user reviews, customer support wait times vary, with some noting it’s quick, while others mentioned waiting upwards of 30 minutes. However, many customers have noted that their issues seemed to be resolved fairly efficiently.

For tech-savvy business owners, Clover’s online help center is a resource that provides guidance, so you can try to fix issues yourself. It covers common questions and challenges customers may face, such as setting up the Clover system, rebooting hardware and accessing the web dashboards.

Clover vs. Square

ONLINE TRANSACTION FEE

KEYED TRANSACTION FEE

SWIPED/CHIPPED TRANSACTION FEE

CHARGEBACK FEE

FREE EQUIPMENT

MOBILE APP

Clover

2.6% + 10 cents

3.5% + 10 cents

2.6% + 10 cents

$25

Yes

	Clover
ONLINE TRANSACTION FEE	2.6% + 10 cents
KEYED TRANSACTION FEE	3.5% + 10 cents
SWIPED/CHIPPED TRANSACTION FEE	2.6% + 10 cents
CHARGEBACK FEE	$25
FREE EQUIPMENT	No
MOBILE APP	Yes

Square

2.9% + 30 cents

3.5% + 15 cents

2.6% + 10 cents

Yes

	Square
ONLINE TRANSACTION FEE	2.9% + 30 cents
KEYED TRANSACTION FEE	3.5% + 15 cents
SWIPED/CHIPPED TRANSACTION FEE	2.6% + 10 cents
CHARGEBACK FEE	$0
FREE EQUIPMENT	Yes
MOBILE APP	Yes

Square is best for small businesses getting started. While both Square and Clover offer similar transaction fees, Square doesn’t charge a monthly fee or chargeback fees, making it the better credit card processor for businesses that may not be ready to commit to a contract. Square also provides customers with a free card reader at signup, minimizing the costs to begin accepting in-person payments. Clover is better suited for established businesses that can afford a monthly payment for payment processing and want a POS system designed for their industry.

Clover vs. Stripe

ONLINE TRANSACTION FEE

KEYED TRANSACTION FEE

SWIPED/CHIPPED TRANSACTION FEE

CHARGEBACK FEE

FREE EQUIPMENT

MOBILE APP

Clover

2.6% + 10 cents

3.5% + 10 cents

2.6% + 10 cents

$25

Yes

	Clover
ONLINE TRANSACTION FEE	2.6% + 10 cents
KEYED TRANSACTION FEE	3.5% + 10 cents
SWIPED/CHIPPED TRANSACTION FEE	2.6% + 10 cents
CHARGEBACK FEE	$25
FREE EQUIPMENT	No
MOBILE APP	Yes

Stripe

2.9% + 30 cents

3.4% + 30 cents

2.9% + 30 cents

0.40% of transaction

Yes

	Stripe
ONLINE TRANSACTION FEE	2.9% + 30 cents
KEYED TRANSACTION FEE	3.4% + 30 cents
SWIPED/CHIPPED TRANSACTION FEE	2.9% + 30 cents
CHARGEBACK FEE	0.40% of transaction
FREE EQUIPMENT	No
MOBILE APP	Yes

Both Stripe and Clover offer various payment options, secure data collection and transmission, real-time reporting and 24/7 customer support. Where they differ is in their pricing. Clover offers a flat-rate monthly fee (plus transaction fees), whereas you can customize fees depending on your business needs with Stripe. For instance, you may qualify for volume discounts, or you can decide not to pay a monthly fee and use Stripe’s pay-as-you-go pricing. However, Stripe’s chargeback fee can be higher than Clover’s, especially if it’s a large transaction.

Because of all the ways you can customize Stripe, it’s best for businesses that want more customized integrations and pricing options. Clover, on the other hand, is best for retail and restaurant businesses that want credit card processing with a POS system designed for their industry.

Is Clover right for your business?

Clover is a credit card processor that offers plenty of benefits such as simple-to-use POS systems, numerous integrations to help manage your business and 24/7 customer support. Those who want to get up and running quickly will like that Clover ships POS systems quickly and businesses can start accepting payments in the virtual dashboard right after setup. Restaurants looking for a robust solution may like the features included with Clover Dining and the various integrations meant to help these types of businesses run smoothly.

However, Clover’s pricing may not be for everyone, especially those looking to integrate multiple POS systems into their business or those who want discounts for high-transaction volume (like larger businesses). Meaning, those looking for more customized pricing options will have to go elsewhere. Overall, Clover’s features make it a great choice for those in the restaurant industry.

Methodology

We extensively research the key competitors within an industry to determine the best products and services for your business. Our experts identify the factors that matter most to business owners, including pricing, features and customer support, to ensure that our recommendations offer well-rounded products that will meet the needs of various small businesses.

We collect extensive data to narrow our best list to reputable, easy-to-use products with stand-out features at a reasonable price point. And we look at user reviews to ensure that business owners like you are satisfied with our top picks’ services. We use the same rubric to assess companies within a particular space so you can confidently follow our blueprint to the best credit card processing.

Featured credit card processing offers

Stax

Learn More

Via Stax’s website

Monthly fee

$99

Swiped transaction fee

7¢ to 10¢ + interchange rate

Merchant One

Learn More

Via Merchant One’s website

Monthly fee

$13.95

Swiped transaction fee

0.29% to 1.55% per transaction

Payment Depot

Learn More

Via Payment Depot’s webiste

Free Trial

Offers

$0 Setup & No Cancellation Fees

Pricing

Customized Interchange+ Pricing – Rates as low as 0.2% – 1.95%

Clover

Learn More

Via Clover’s website

Monthly fee

$14.95

Swiped transaction fee

2.6% + 10¢

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Businesses can set up Clover using the following steps:

Sign up for Clover: You can do so via its website or through any one of its resellers, such as Wells Fargo and Restaurant Depot.
Activate your account: Once you’re approved as a Clover merchant, log into your account to ensure it’s active. If so, you can fill in details such as your business name and the products or services you offer.
Purchase devices: If you don’t want to purchase any POS systems, you should be able to start accepting payments right away. Otherwise, select which type of hardware and accessories you want.
Set up your devices: You will need a strong internet connection in order to connect your device to be able to receive payments. Then, turn on your device and follow the prompts to activate your device (you may be required to input an activation code).

Yes, Clover offers a free 30-day trial for customers on all tiers. Many of its competitors that offer trial periods are in line with Clover, though some have a free tier like Square.

Yes, Clover requires a contract with a month-to-month subscription. Businesses can cancel at any time, but may be required to pay a buyout. You will also need to pay processing fees in addition to your base fee. There are no discounts for long-term commitments.

Clover offers its own POS systems. Businesses can use Clover with no hardware (virtual terminal), a simple card reader or a more robust POS system offering a touchscreen, a contactless reader and receipt options. For instance, Clover’s Mini comes with a touchscreen and customers can dip or tap payments. The payment processor’s more robust POS, Station Duo, offers two screens (one for the customer and the other for the cashier), a receipt printer and cash drawer.

Yes, Clover is safe and secure. All devices from Clover are PCI PTS (Payment Card Industry PIN Transaction Security) certified, meaning equipment is designed to prevent third parties from accessing cardholder information, including PIN numbers. Because Clover is PTS-certified, it also means it has point-to-point encryption. More specifically, Clover systems have more than one processor to protect data, including any malware or viruses. Clover also regularly updates its programs, anti-virus software and regularly tests its security systems and processes.

Businesses that are concerned about possible data breaches can sign up for Clover Security Plus. This additional service offers higher end-to-end encryption and tokenization technology to protect data. Other features include an online PCI compliance wizard, extra liability coverage and access to security experts.

Clover does have a mobile app for both iOS and Android devices. The iOS app is compatible with version 8.2 and higher, and the Android app supports version 4.4 and higher. Currently, Windows Phones aren’t supported. Businesses can use both the mobile app and portable card reader over a cellular or Wi-Fi connection.

Clover’s POS system integrates with a multitude of apps via the Clover App Market. There are integrations for almost all services a business would expect, including cash management, customer management, marketing, fundraising, loyalty and invoicing tools. Some of its more popular integrations include QuickBooks, Gusto payroll, Restaurant365, BigCommerce and Shopify. However, Clover doesn’t offer CRM integrations for some of the bigger names in the space such as Salesforce. It may not matter though, if you’re fine with using what CRM tools Clover does offer.

Businesses can install a new app by logging into their account and clicking on “install” after finding the relevant app. There are also integration service providers such as Abreeze Technology that can help you customize and set up software.

Aside from Clover’s additional security features, the company also offers a number of add-on services, including:

Clover Gift Cards: Businesses can purchase this service to offer physical and digital gift cards, with the ability to customize its design. Clover’s POS device will issue store credit, convert an existing gift card program, and offer the ability for customers to redeem gift cards on their smartphones.
Clover Customer Engagement Plus: Businesses that sign up for this plan will get more features than what is offered by the basic promo plan. Benefits include automating promotions, the ability to target specific customer groups and scheduling win-back campaigns.
Clover Care: This is an extended warranty plan for your Clover equipment. Businesses receive up to three years of protection with no claim deductibles or shipping fees.