Updated: September 30, 2026

Square vs Clover POS: Costs, Features & Differences

Square and Clover both combine payment processing with point-of-sale software, but their approaches are different. Square offers a broad software ecosystem with a $0 monthly entry tier and optional hardware, while Clover places greater emphasis on dedicated POS hardware bundled with software plans tailored to different business types.

Square vs Clover: Quick Comparison

Pricing, processing rates, hardware offers, promotions, and contract terms can change. Always verify current terms directly with the provider before purchasing.

Square Pricing

Square currently uses three main software tiers:

• Square Free: $0 per month per location
• Square Plus: $49 per month per location
• Square Premium: $149 per month per location

Square Free has no monthly software subscription fee. Businesses pay payment-processing fees when they accept eligible payments.

Square currently lists an in-person tap, dip, or swipe rate of:

• Free: 2.6% + 15¢
• Plus: 2.5% + 15¢
• Premium: 2.4% + 15¢

Businesses processing more than $250,000 per year in card sales may be able to discuss custom processing pricing with Square.

Clover Pricing

Clover does not use one universal price for every small business.

Pricing varies according to factors such as:

• Business type
• Software plan
• POS hardware
• Payment-processing terms
• Whether hardware is purchased or obtained through a subscription
• Optional Clover apps and services

Clover states that merchants can expect a monthly software fee plus payment-processing charges.

Its available plan and hardware combinations differ for retail stores, restaurants, professional services, personal services, and other business categories.

Square vs Clover Hardware

Square Hardware

Square can be used without purchasing dedicated POS hardware in some situations.

For example, Square supports options such as Tap to Pay on compatible phones, invoices, payment links, and a virtual terminal.

Businesses wanting physical POS hardware can choose from devices including:

• Square Reader
• Square Stand
• Square Terminal
• Square Handheld
• Square Register

Current published hardware examples include:

• Square Reader for contactless and chip: $59
• Square Stand: $149
• Square Terminal: $299
• Square Handheld: $399
• Square Register: $899

Clover Hardware

Clover’s platform places more emphasis on dedicated merchant hardware.

Available Clover device families include products such as:

• Clover Compact
• Clover Go
• Clover Flex
• Clover Mini
• Clover Station Solo
• Clover Station Duo

Different Clover packages can combine hardware with specific software plans.

For example, Clover’s current retail packages include options built around compact terminals, the Station Duo countertop system, and handheld devices.

Which Has the Lower Upfront Barrier?

Square can have a relatively low starting barrier because Square Free has no monthly software subscription and hardware is not required for every payment workflow.

A business can potentially start with a compatible phone and Square’s Tap to Pay functionality before purchasing a full checkout system.

Clover is often evaluated as a more hardware-centered POS ecosystem. Businesses considering Clover should calculate both the software and hardware/payment arrangement rather than comparing only a monthly software number.

Payment Processing

Both Square and Clover combine POS functionality with payment processing.

Square

Square publishes standardized payment-processing rates for its main plans.

Current in-person rates range from 2.6% + 15¢ on Free to 2.4% + 15¢ on Premium.

Online, manually entered, invoice, ACH, and other payment methods can use different rates.

Clover

Clover explains that payment-processing charges consist of a percentage of the transaction plus a fixed amount.

Rates can differ between in-person transactions and transactions where card information is manually entered or otherwise processed without the physical card present.

Because Clover packages and merchant arrangements vary, businesses should obtain the exact processing rates applicable to their specific Clover proposal.

Processing Fees Can Matter More Than the Monthly Subscription

Businesses processing substantial card volume should not choose a POS system only by comparing the monthly software fee.

Consider a store processing:

Even a small difference in percentage processing rates can become meaningful over 12 months.

That is why a realistic POS comparison should include:

• Monthly subscription fees
• Percentage processing rate
• Per-transaction fixed fee
• Average transaction size
• Monthly card sales

Inventory Management

Square

Square provides inventory functionality across its POS ecosystem, with additional inventory capabilities available through its paid plans and retail-focused functionality.

Depending on plan and business type, businesses can work with product catalogs, stock levels, barcode labels, purchase-related workflows, and related retail tools.

Clover

Clover’s retail-focused Retail Growth plan includes item and category management and broader inventory functionality.

Its higher retail packages also combine sales reporting, ecommerce, customer features, and employee-management tools.

Ecommerce and Online Sales

Square

Square’s ecosystem can connect in-person selling with online stores, websites, payment links, online ordering, invoices, and related digital-payment workflows.

Clover

Clover Retail Growth plans can include a branded website, online store functionality, and a dashboard combining online and offline sales.

Clover also supports integration with existing online stores in applicable retail plans.

Customer Loyalty and Marketing

Square

Square Plus includes broader marketing and loyalty functionality as part of the unified Square plan structure.

Square Premium expands the included software and usage allowances further.

Clover

Clover Retail Growth includes customer-oriented features such as:

• Customer database
• Loyalty program
• Promotions
• Private feedback
• Clover gift cards

Employee Features

Square

Square’s ecosystem includes staff-management functionality, with more capabilities available through its paid plans.

Businesses can also connect additional Square workforce products depending on their needs.

Clover

Clover’s retail packages can include individual employee logins and permissions.

Retail Growth also adds shift-management functionality, while payroll integrations are available as optional add-ons.

Restaurant Businesses

Both Square and Clover support restaurant businesses, but restaurants should compare the restaurant-specific packages rather than evaluating only generic retail functionality.

Important restaurant features can include:

• Menus and modifiers
• Tables and tabs
• Tips
• Kitchen displays
• Online ordering
• Handheld ordering devices
• Customer loyalty
• Employee management

Restaurants should also compare Toast in addition to Square and Clover because Toast is built specifically around food-service operations.

Contracts and Flexibility

Square

Square states that businesses can cancel or switch its main software plans, and its current Free tier does not have a monthly subscription charge.

Clover

Clover’s arrangements require more careful review because contract and termination terms can depend on the method through which Clover is obtained and the service provider involved.

Clover’s direct pricing information notes that hardware subscriptions are non-cancelable and ineligible for refunds, although equipment may be bought out or upgraded under applicable terms.

Clover also states that termination fees and contract terms may vary among Clover Direct and its financial-institution partners.

Square vs Clover for a Small Retail Store

A small store that wants to start quickly with minimal upfront software cost may find Square’s Free tier easier to evaluate.

A retailer that specifically wants dedicated countertop hardware with merchant processing, customer tools, employee functionality, and Clover’s integrated retail platform may want to evaluate a Clover retail package.

The meaningful comparison should be based on total annual cost and required features rather than brand name alone.

Square vs Clover for Multiple Locations

Square Plus and Premium charge their monthly software fees per location.

For example, three locations using Square Plus would have a standard software subscription calculation of:

Payment processing and other add-ons would be separate.

With Clover, multi-location cost depends on the specific hardware, software, and merchant configuration being purchased.

How to Compare Total POS Cost

Do not compare Square and Clover using only the advertised software subscription.

Questions to Ask Before Choosing

• What is my total monthly software cost?
• What will I pay for each POS location?
• What are my exact in-person processing rates?
• What are my keyed-in and online processing rates?
• Which hardware is required?
• Can hardware be purchased outright?
• Is there a long-term agreement?
• Are there cancellation or termination fees?
• Which inventory features are included?
• Can I sell online and in-store from one system?
• Are loyalty and marketing included?
• Does employee management cost extra?
• Can I export my business data?
• What happens if the internet connection fails?

To estimate how payment-processing rates, transaction size, software fees, and hardware affect your budget, use our POS System Cost Calculator .

Related POS Resources

• How to Choose a POS System
• Best POS Systems for Small Businesses
• How Much Does a POS System Cost?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Square cheaper than Clover?

The answer depends on the business configuration. Square offers a $0 monthly software tier, while Clover pricing depends more heavily on the selected business package, hardware, software, and merchant arrangement. Processing fees and hardware can significantly affect the total cost of either system.

Does Square require POS hardware?

Not always. Square supports payment methods such as Tap to Pay on compatible phones, invoices, payment links, and a virtual terminal. Businesses can add dedicated Square hardware when needed.

Does Clover require special hardware?

Many Clover POS packages are built around Clover devices such as Compact, Flex, Mini, Station Solo, or Station Duo. Clover also provides browser and mobile-based payment options in some business plans.

Can Square manage inventory?

Yes. Square provides inventory-management functionality, with more advanced retail features available depending on the selected plan and business configuration.

Can Clover manage inventory?

Yes. Clover’s retail plans can include item and category management and broader inventory tools, with functionality varying by plan.

Can Square and Clover both sell online?

Yes. Both platforms offer ways to connect online and in-person sales, although the exact ecommerce features and included functionality differ by plan.

Can I use Clover hardware with another payment processor?

Clover states that devices acquired through Clover and its partners are tied to the Clover merchant ecosystem and should not be assumed to work with an unrelated payment processor. Verify processor compatibility before purchasing used or third-party Clover hardware.

Sources and Pricing Verification

Product and pricing information was reviewed from official Square and Clover sources on September 30, 2026. Pricing, promotions, hardware, processing terms, and features may change after publication.

• Square Point of Sale Pricing
• Square POS Hardware
• Square Payment Fee Calculator
• Clover POS Pricing
• Clover Retail POS Pricing
• Clover Retail POS