Clover is an intuitive and easy-to-use point-of-sale (POS) system for small and medium businesses. It has various software and hardware options to suit your needs. Whether you run a retail business, own a restaurant or provide services, Clover can meet your processing and POS needs. While it’s not the cheapest solution on the market, Clover’s roster of payment partners makes it a solid choice for businesses of all kinds.
Pros
- Competitive pricing
- Free 30-day trial
- Low-cost hardware starting at $49
- Feature rich
- Perfect for companies already online
- 24/7 phone and email support
Cons
- Online application for the POS not available; must go through sales rep
- Pricing details are not transparent
- Does not offer a free plan
Table of Contents
What Is Clover POS?
Clover POS is a popular point-of-sale (POS) system developed by Clover Network Inc., a subsidiary of First Data Corporation. It provides businesses with a comprehensive and user-friendly solution for processing payments, managing inventory, tracking sales and running various operations.
Pros
Clover POS is a versatile platform with solutions designed specifically for retailers, restaurants, professionals and businesses. Whether you run a small retail shop or a bustling restaurant, Clover offers different hardware options and a wide range of apps to meet your specific needs.
Its hardware devices accept popular payment methods such as cash, cheques, credit cards, debit cards, prepaid cards, gift cards and EBT cards.
Cons
The upfront cost of Clover POS hardware and software can be higher than other POS systems. Additionally, there may be ongoing fees for software updates, debit card setup, early termination and payment processing. However, some users need more transparency and reported mixed experiences with the quality and responsiveness of its support team.
How Clover POS Works
The primary function of Clover POS is to facilitate sales transactions and accept payments.
Here’s how to get started with Clover POS:
Step 1: Activate your account
Create an account at Clover.com and follow the steps to set up your tasks and services. Once your account is set up, you can accept and take payments with the Clover hardware.
Step 2: Set up your space
Dedicate space on your counter for a Mini, Station Solo or Station Duo. Ensure the area is secure and has a stable internet connection for Clover hardware.
Step 3: Activate the device
Follow the instructions on the Quick Start Guide. You’ll turn on the power button, choose a language, review your internet connection and enter the activation code. Done right, Clover will install the latest apps on your device.
What Sets Clover POS Apart
Unlike its competitors, Clover POS offers a range of hardware and software designed for various business types. There are plans for full-service dining, quick-service dining, retail shops, professional services, personal services and home and field services.
Clover POS supports various third-party applications and services, allowing businesses to connect their POS system with other tools, such as accounting software, CRM systems and online ordering platforms. This integration capability enhances efficiency and streamlines workflows by synchronizing data across different systems.
Clover POS Core Features
Let’s take a look at some of the core features of Clover POS.
Cloud-Based Applications
Clover integrates easily with popular third-party apps such as QuickBooks, Time Clock, Yelp and more to make processes more convenient. It has a vast app marketplace with a wide selection of both free and paid integrations. You can integrate apps for loyalty programs, online ordering, accounting software integration and employee scheduling to improve its functionality.
Hardware and Software
The solution consists of both hardware and software components. You can select a mix of mobile readers, handheld devices and countertop devices with accessories such as scanners and printers.
Businesses can also select the features and functionalities that will fulfill their needs. Each Clover system has built-in features for employee management, customer engagement, tracking and reporting—so you can scale your business with ease.
Inventory Management
Clover POS has inventory management features that allow businesses to track stock levels, monitor expiration dates for perishable goods and automate repetitive inventory-related tasks. Meanwhile, restaurants can use the POS solution to manage online menus and customize menu items to improve guests’ experience.
Team Management
Clover POS offers various employee management features designed to streamline workforce operations and enhance efficiency. It’s a cinch to assign role-based permissions and access levels to employees, measure team performance and reward staff for their service. Managers and business owners can accurately track employee time and attendance with its Time Clock tool.
Reporting and Analytics
To gain more insights on your business’s profitability, you can access real-time sales data, track total sales per employee and generate comprehensive reports. Also, it’s easy to filter data to identify information on bestselling items and monthly sales trends.
Training and Support
Users looking for guidance to get started can get an SMB CompuCom professional for on-site installation and training.
Clover Pricing and Plans
Clover POS pricing has various plans based on the business type—Full service dining, Quick service dining, Retail shops, Professional services, Personal services and Home & field services. Each plan has features for sending e-receipts, managing invoices and storing customer card information for faster checkout. You also pay a transaction fee based on whether or not customers use a card.
Clover POS Tiered Pricing and Plans
Full Service Dining
Full service dining plans start from $160 monthly and offer business owners a reliable restaurant POS. While the most basic program allows you to take customer orders and payments from a house wait station, more advanced plans will enable you to take orders throughout your restaurant. It has omnichannel menu management, bill splitting, contactless dining via QR codes and an online menu page.
Quick Service Dining
Quick service dining plans start from $100 per month. It enables business owners to take orders and payments with a robust POS. In terms of hardware, the most basic plan features a mini POS with a built-in receipt printer. Meanwhile, the most premium option has a handheld POS with an intelligent terminal. In addition, higher-paid plans have access to features for a customer database, promotions, loyalty programs and private feedback.
Retail
Retail plans start from $60 per month. The most basic plan features a simple countertop POS and higher-paid options come with a touchscreen terminal, countertop displays and a handheld device. Retail programs allow you to track sales, view reports, set employee permissions and get third-party apps from the Clover App Market.
Professional Services
Professional services plans start from $14.95 per month. The Starter plan does not come with a hardware POS device. Instead, users are limited to no-hardware transactions with their computer, tablet or phone. In contrast, more premium options offer a handheld and counter POS.
The Starter plan also accepts all major credit and debit cards, cash and check payments. Besides all the payment options in the Starter plan, higher-tier options can accommodate PayPal, gift cards and mobile wallets (e.g., Apple Pay and Google Pay).
Clover POS Hardware Costs
Clover is compatible with a range of different third-party hardware devices. Clover also has multiple first-party options to choose from, depending upon the type and size of your business. It supports these five business types: retail, e-commerce, table service restaurants, counter service restaurants and service-based businesses.
Clover POS Setup
Clover POS has start guides with easy-to-follow visual instructions for setting up your Clover device. You can also log in to your account to get more personalized help.
Ease of Use
Clover POS has an intuitive interface that is easy to navigate. The layout is designed to be visually appealing and organized, enabling users to access the desired features with minimal effort. Naturally, the familiar design enables employees to quickly familiarize themselves with the POS system with a minimal learning curve.
Security
All Clover devices are PIN Transaction Security (PTS) certified. It is compliant with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) and ships with end-to-end data encryption, tamper detection and access authorization.
Customer Service and Support
Clover POS offers phone support to answer customer inquiries. It also has a FAQ section and small business resources where customers can view helpful information and read in-depth articles.
Clover POS Alternatives and How They Compare
Clover POS vs. Square POS
When compared to Clover POS, Square has zero monthly fees and setup fees. Square also follows a more transparent pricing structure, with clear transaction fees and predictable costs. Meanwhile, Clover POS offers a range of hardware options and an extensive app marketplace, making it suitable for various industries and business types.
Overall, Clover POS excels in versatility and customization options, while Square offers an all-in-one solution with transparent pricing and strong e-commerce integration.
Clover POS vs. Lightspeed
Both Clover POS and Lightspeed offer features for payment processing, inventory management and software integrations. Along with Clover POS, Lightspeed provides a comprehensive set of features specific for the retail and restaurant industry, such as table management for restaurants and inventory management for retail. In terms of pricing, Lightspeed is significantly more expensive than Clover POS.
Clover POS vs. Shopify POS
Both solutions are packed with employee management, inventory management and payment processing. Clover POS has solutions built for restaurants, retailers and service providers, while Shopify POS is ideal for retailers. While Shopify POS is priced significantly higher than Clover POS, it has advanced omnichannel capabilities that the latter lacks.
Is Clover POS Right for Me?
If you are looking for an intuitive POS with great hardware options and can afford to make a large upfront investment in hardware, Clover can be a great fit for your business. You can even take advantage of its 30-day trial period to check if it is suitable for your business.
Clover POS Is Best For:
- Restaurants: Clover POS has a restaurant POS that supports click to pickup, curbside and dine-in options. Designed with restaurateurs in mind, it’s easy to assign orders to kitchen staff and support special guest requests.
- Retailers: Some of the best features of its retail POS are inventory management, seamless payments and employee management.
- Freelancers, professionals and service-oriented businesses: The solution has dedicated plans for professional services, personal services and home and field services. Not surprisingly, it comes packed with a client database, client engagement and invoicing.
Clover POS Is Not Recommended For:
- Users looking for straightforward pricing plans: Some users claim that Clover POS lacks transparent pricing and comes with hidden fees. Since plans are based on business type, you must get in touch with a sales representative to know the actual pricing.
Our Expert Opinion
Clover POS may be the right choice if you are looking for a POS specifically designed for a type of business or service. The solution provides businesses with a robust and user-friendly platform that combines the essential features of a point-of-sale system with advanced reporting and analytics capabilities. Whether you’re a small startup or an established enterprise, Clover POS has the potential to streamline your operations, improve customer experiences and drive business success.
Canadian specific editing and pricing research conducted by Anna Rey.
Related: Best Credit Card Machines In Canada
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I get started with Clover?
You need to purchase a Clover device online or from its merchant partners to start. While purchasing, you will be asked to apply for a merchant account. When you receive the device, it is set up to start accepting payments immediately.
How long does Clover take to deposit my payments?
Clover typically takes one to three business days to credit payments to your account. However, you can opt for immediate transfer of funds at a 1% additional fee.
Are Clover systems secure?
All Clover devices are compliant with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) and ship with end-to-end data encryption, tamper detection and access authorization. The software includes malware detection and antivirus, and updates weekly.
What are the best POS systems?
The best POS systems for businesses include eHopper POS, Lightspeed POS, Clover and Square POS. To find out more about the best POS systems, you can view our list of the Best POS Systems For Small Business.
Forbes Advisor adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved, or otherwise endorsed by our partners.
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