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A new era of payment processing is upon us. Clover and Square are two leading providers in this space, each with a different take on how to make payments more convenient for consumers. Which one should you choose?
Clover and Square both provide simple point-of-sale (POS) software, a complete hardware suite, and integrated payment processing with online, mobile, and contactless payment options. Clover and Square vary primarily in that Clover has greater upfront fees and a monthly charge, and Clover POS systems are available from a variety of merchant account providers. Square, on the other hand, is more transparent and inexpensive, with a straightforward price structure, making it the ideal choice for most small companies.
Below, we’ll compare and contrast Clover and Square’s retail, restaurant, and service industry capabilities, including POS software and eCommerce.
Clover: If you need a merchant account, are prepared to sign a long-term contract, and don’t need an eCommerce website, this is the best option. In our Clover review, we go over everything you need to know about it.
Square is the best option for most small companies looking for a versatile POS system with add-on options. For additional details, see our Square POS review.
Square for Small Businesses: Why Do We Recommend It?
Square is one of our favorites, and for good reason. Its base package is free—ideal for small companies that are just getting started or don’t want to spend a lot of money on a POS upfront—and it can grow with you as you buy add-ons for anything from sophisticated inventory to payroll processing. It has internet functionality for multi-channel sales as well. The system is simple to use and dependable, and the price is predictable—no hidden fees as you may discover with other payment processors.
Square’s only drawback is that you’re tied to their payment processing. Thousands of payment processing firms, on the other hand, provide Clover. Using a merchant service that provides Clover may save you money in the long term, depending on your sales volume. Payment Depot, for example, is a Clover POS reseller and one of the cheapest credit card processors.
Tied for most affordable
Clover and Square are both low-cost options. Depending on your requirements, one or the other option may be more cost-effective.
Pricing: Clover vs. Square
If you purchase a Clover terminal from a reseller, the terminal and transaction costs will be different. Some companies, for example, levy their own processing fees but provide free terminals if you sign a multi-year agreement.
When Is Square More Cost-Effective Than Clover?
Square is the most cost-effective choice for most small businesses since it provides a totally free solution for web or smartphone purchases. However, enhanced features may need the purchase of a plan. There are no contracts or cancellation fees for any of the plans or add-ons.
If you don’t want to invest in a terminal, you can instead obtain a free card reader for your phone, which you can use on an iPad. On most hardware purchases, however, Square provides interest-free installment payment options.
The processing costs charged by Square may be greater than those charged by Clover, thus the more purchases you make, the more you’ll pay. Square sellers who handle more than $250,000 may be eligible for special pricing. Square’s software also becomes more costly when additional functionality, such as scheduling, is added.
When Is Clover More Cost-Effective Than Square?
Clover offers reduced processing rates, and you may be able to get even better prices with a payment processor, so it might be a more cost-effective choice for high-volume companies seeking to save costs. Clover, unlike Square, requires you to sign a contract when you join up. With a contract, certain Clover resellers provide free terminals. You must, however, pay a monthly charge and, in many instances, buy the gear entirely.
If you switch merchant accounts, Clover cannot be reprogrammed to a new supplier. Clover requires the purchase and integration of third-party applications to provide functionality.
Payment Processing
If you utilize Clover, you may be able to obtain a merchant account with cheaper costs than Square. However, do your homework since Clover works with thousands of resellers, and not all of them are trustworthy. Many companies may surprise you with difficult-to-understand contracts and hidden costs.
Square is the best option for in-store sales.
Clover and Square are two of the finest checkout and retail solutions for small companies on the market. Both operate for single or many shops, can connect with internet sales (virtual terminal or eCommerce), and offer features that make them suitable for restaurants, salons, and retail enterprises. Square, on the other hand, outperforms Clover in terms of versatility and total features.
Square is the best retail point-of-sale system
In a comparison between Clover vs Square, Square is more configurable, with a wider variety of third-party connections than Clover. In minutes, anybody can join up for a free Square account and begin selling online or in person. It also has company management tools that enable you to monitor sales, communicate with customers, and see reports. Square is a versatile, all-in-one POS and payment processor that is perfect for younger companies and brick-and-mortar businesses.
Because of its versatility and cheap pricing, Square is our top choice for the finest retail POS system.
Clover has more built-in features for employee management.
Clover is a POS and payment processing solution in one. Except for the mobile version, Clover operates on its own hardware, unlike Square, which runs on iOS and Android (Clover Go). It’s more costly than Square, both upfront and on a monthly basis (because of the monthly membership), but it offers more sophisticated staff management capabilities.
Square is the best option for mobile payments.
Clover and Square are both payment processing systems that enable small companies to take credit card payments online and in-person, and both have Android and iOS applications. Clover is simpler to use, according to customers, but there are fewer reviews. Square provides a broader range of software options. Square took the top position in our ranking of the best mobile POS applications with a score of 4.61 out of 5, while Clover finished in fourth with a score of 4.26 out of 5.
Square is the best option for restaurants.
Overall, we prefer Square for restaurants over Clover because of its flexibility, although Clover is no slouch when it comes to POS systems for restaurants. They’re both capable of collecting orders, processing payments, and interacting with the kitchen.
With customized menus, tip calculations, split tender, and more, Square’s basic free POS is ideal for food trucks and small cafés. Square for Restaurants also offers a free plan if you require additional industry-specific features like table mapping and menu management.
It also offers excellent online ordering and has partnerships with the most prominent delivery providers.
Clover’s Scan to Order App
Clover for restaurants is ideal for busy full-service establishments. The Scan to Order app is a remarkable feature. Customers may see the menu, place orders, and pay with their phones by scanning a QR code on the table. This is a game-changer for eateries that are short on personnel or worried about social alienation. It also has certain partnerships with delivery providers and enables you to submit orders to the kitchen display system. Clover will tailor your system with the capabilities you need, and you may supplement what it lacks with third-party applications.
Square is the best for eCommerce.
Square is our eCommerce choice because it provides a free online shop builder (Square Online) with shipping, store pickup, and local delivery options. Clover only allows you to connect to other eCommerce software or use a virtual terminal.
For businesses who wish to add online ordering via an online store, a website, or social media, Square provides a user-friendly and cost-effective option. When it comes to categories and variations, it is less powerful than other eCommerce systems. It does, however, provide great customer communication features for messaging, order updates, buy-online/pickup-in-store, and local delivery. This makes it an excellent option for businesses and restaurants looking to establish an online presence.
Square has a variety of layouts that look fantastic on a PC or on a mobile device.
When Square and Clover Aren’t the Best Fit
While Square Online is our top-recommended free eCommerce platform, you may outgrow it fast if you’re serious about online sales or have sophisticated inventory requirements. In that scenario, Shopify would be the greatest choice. It is our preferred eCommerce platform, and it includes a free POS for mobile and in-store purchases.
Best for hardware
Square and Clover both have high-quality card readers and terminals. Neither company’s terminals can be modified to accept other types of payments. They both have comparable prices and a comparable selection.
Conclusion
A comparison of Square and Clover reveals that both companies provide user-friendly POS systems, internet ordering, and payment processing services. Square is a better match for online and multichannel companies since it offers greater flexibility and third-party connection possibilities. It’s also cheaper, so it’s a smart choice if you’re just starting out or mainly selling online. Clover provides a complete POS system with unique hardware and software that is ideal for long-term businesses looking for the finest payment processor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Clover more expensive than Square?
Clover is not more expensive than Square.
Is the Square app good for small businesses?
Square is a payment processing service that allows small businesses to accept credit card payments. It is a good option for small businesses, but not the best option.
Can I use clover with Square?
Yes, you can use clover with Square.
