Clover review: our verdict

This Clover review looks at the point-of-sale system from Fiserv, one of the world's largest payment processors, and asks whether its well-regarded hardware is worth the more complicated buying process that comes with it. For many restaurants, shops and service businesses the answer is yes. Clover offers a broad range of devices, from a countertop terminal with a customer-facing screen to handhelds for tableside service, built-in software for payments, inventory, staff and loyalty, and an app market for everything else. That range is why we rank Clover as the best POS for hardware.

The catch is in the paperwork. Clover is sold both directly and through thousands of banks and resellers, and Clover's own FAQ says contract terms and termination fees vary depending on who you buy from. Hardware bought on a Clover subscription is non-cancelable, and payment processing is priced separately from the software and devices. Read every line of the agreement before you sign.

NerdBible did not run its own hands-on trial for this review. It is an editorial assessment based on Clover's own pricing, FAQ, security, apps and protection-plan pages, and on the published findings of independent review outlets, which we credit and link below.

What is Clover and who is it for?

Clover is a cloud-based POS system: proprietary hardware running Clover's own software, connected to an online dashboard where you track sales, refunds, deposits and reports from anywhere. The Clover POS systems page describes the build in three steps: pick a software plan for your business type, choose your hardware (countertop, portable, or no device at all), then add accessories and third-party apps.

The Clover pricing page groups plans by business type: full-service dining, quick-service restaurants, retail shops, professional services, personal services, and home and field services. That makes Clover a reasonable fit for:

  • Restaurants and cafes that need table management, tabs, split bills, tipping and online ordering.
  • Retail shops that want item-level inventory, returns and exchanges, and a single dashboard for in-store and online sales.
  • Service businesses that take payments at a counter, in the field or remotely through Clover's virtual terminal.

It is a weaker fit for businesses that want to run their POS on hardware they already own, or that want the simplest possible month-to-month arrangement.

Key features

Hardware range

Clover's site lists Go (a compact card reader), Compact, Flex and Flex Pocket handhelds, Mini, Station Solo, Station Duo, a self-order kiosk and a kitchen display system. The Clover retail pricing page shows how plans pair with devices: a compact terminal on the entry plan, a 14-inch Station Duo with an 8-inch customer display on the middle plan, and a Flex handheld added on the top plan, with receipt printers and cash drawers included on the larger bundles. Reviewers consistently describe this hardware as well built and suited to busy environments.

Payments

Clover accepts tap, dip and swipe card payments, mobile wallets and contactless payments, and can scan checks. The pricing page FAQ explains that processing rates come in pairs: a lower rate when the card is present at the reader and a higher rate for typed-in transactions such as phone orders. The Clover FAQ also says you can take cards without buying any device by using the browser-based virtual terminal. Clover says deposits typically arrive in one to three days, often the next business day.

Orders, inventory and reporting

Built-in tools cover itemised orders, discounts, returns and exchanges, scale integration for items sold by weight, item and category management, and real-time and detailed sales reports, with the richer tools on higher retail plans. Clover's inventory management page describes bulk edits, filters, modifier groups and separate names and descriptions for online items. Restaurant features include tabs, split bills, service charges and online pickup and delivery orders.

Customers, loyalty and staff

Clover includes a customer database with order histories, private feedback, a built-in loyalty programme and email and text promotions. Staff tools cover shifts and schedules, individual permissions, and tracking of each employee's sales, tips and refunds.

App Market

The Clover apps page lists built-in apps such as Time Clock, Happy Hour pricing and Clover Dining, and third-party apps including QuickBooks, Xero, Shopify, Homebase and Mailchimp. This is how Clover fills gaps in its own software, though Fit Small Business notes that some needed functions come from paid third-party apps that raise the monthly bill.

How much does Clover cost? Plans and pricing structure

Our comparison table shows the latest pricing information we hold. On Clover's own site, the structure is:

  • A monthly software plan chosen by business type. The pricing FAQ names Starter, Standard and Advanced packages, and the retail page shows software tiers named Starter and Retail Growth.
  • Hardware, bought outright or on a subscription. Clover says a subscription needs no money down and includes a full warranty with an equipment protection programme, while hardware bought outright comes with a one-year limited warranty.
  • Payment processing fees, charged per transaction and priced separately from the software and hardware.
  • Optional extras: an online store builder, Clover Care device protection, Clover Security Plus and paid third-party apps.

Two conditions deserve attention. First, the pricing FAQ says subscriptions are non-cancelable and ineligible for refunds, although they can be paid off or broken during an upgrade. Second, Clover notes that prices shown on its website are only available online, and that contract terms and termination fees differ between Clover Direct and the banks and other partners that also sell Clover. The same device can therefore come with very different terms depending on where you buy it.

Is Clover safe? Security and protection

The Clover Security Plus page describes an optional security package built on First Data technology (First Data is now part of Fiserv). It lists end-to-end encryption and tokenisation from the moment a card is read, an online wizard to help with Payment Card Industry (PCI) compliance, a security score, specialist support and a liability waiver in the event of a data breach. Clover accounts are also subject to credit approval and underwriting, which Clover's FAQ mentions in its promotion terms.

For hardware, Clover Care is a one-time purchase per device that Clover says covers manufacturer defects and accidental damage for three years, with up to three replacements and no per-claim deductibles or shipping fees.

Customer support

Clover says its consultants help you choose and set up a system and that support is available around the clock for troubleshooting. NerdWallet and Business News Daily both cite 24/7 phone support. One complication is that merchants who bought through a bank or reseller may be directed to that partner for some account questions, which is another reason to know exactly who your provider is.

Questions to ask before you sign

Because the same Clover device can be sold under different terms, a short checklist protects you. Ask who your provider and payment processor will be, and whether that can change later. Ask whether the hardware is a purchase or a subscription, how long the subscription runs and what it costs to pay it off early. Ask for the in-person and typed-in processing rates in writing, along with any monthly or annual account fees. Ask which software plan you are on, which apps are included and which cost extra. Finally, ask where to go for support: Clover directly, or the bank or reseller that sold you the system.

What could be better

  • Contracts vary by seller. Fit Small Business warns that Clover exercises little oversight of third-party resellers, so contract quality varies.
  • Subscriptions are non-cancelable. If your business changes direction, you may still owe the remaining payments.
  • Total cost is hard to predict. Software, hardware, processing and app fees are all separate.
  • Proprietary hardware. Business News Daily says you cannot use your own devices; TechRadar says third-party hardware can be integrated but may need a developer.
  • Processor choice is not straightforward. Clover's FAQ refers questions about using an existing merchant account to its consultants rather than promising it.

Who should choose something else?

If you are just starting out and want to avoid long commitments, a POS with free software tiers and cheaper card readers may be a safer first step. If you already own tablets and want to use them, a software-first POS will suit you better. And if you run a large, inventory-heavy retail operation across many locations, a specialist retail POS may offer deeper stock control.

Is Clover worth it? Bottom line

Clover is worth it for businesses that want polished, purpose-built hardware and a POS that covers payments, orders, inventory, staff and loyalty out of the box, with an app market to fill the gaps. Its flexibility across restaurants, retail and services is real. The value depends on the deal you sign: compare a quote from Clover Direct with any offer from your bank, check whether hardware is a non-cancelable subscription, and make sure you understand the processing rates before you commit.

What other reviewers found

  • NerdWallet singled out Clover's hardware range and the option to pair it with a third-party processor, but warned of possible early termination fees when Clover is your processor.
  • Business News Daily named Clover its best-value POS for durable hardware, competitive flat-rate processing and round-the-clock support, while noting you must use Clover's own hardware.
  • Fit Small Business praised the flexible hardware and broad toolset, but criticised confusing pricing, reliance on paid add-on apps and uneven reseller contracts.
  • TechRadar rated Clover an affordable, feature-rich system for small businesses with better customisation and integrations than Square, but found its hardware pricier than most rivals.

Where they agree: all four outlets rate the hardware and breadth of features highly, and all four raise cost or contract complexity in some form. Where they differ: on flexibility. NerdWallet and Fit Small Business say Clover can be reprogrammed for other processors, Clover's own FAQ only says a consultant will assess your options, Business News Daily says you are tied to Clover hardware, and TechRadar says third-party hardware can be integrated with developer work. What it means for you: do not assume flexibility; ask the seller in writing which processor, which hardware and which termination terms apply to your account.

Frequently asked questions

Can I cancel a Clover subscription?

According to Clover's pricing FAQ, hardware subscriptions are non-cancelable and not eligible for refunds, although they can be paid off at any time or broken when you upgrade to a different or newer device. Contract terms and termination fees also vary depending on whether you bought from Clover Direct or a bank or reseller, so check your own agreement.

Do I have to buy Clover hardware?

Not to take card payments. Clover's FAQ says you can open a Clover account without hardware and accept cards through the browser-based virtual terminal on a computer, tablet or phone. For in-person sales, most businesses use Clover's own devices; reviewers disagree on how easily third-party hardware can be used, so ask before you buy.

Is Clover good for restaurants?

Clover offers separate plans for full-service and quick-service restaurants, with features such as tabs, split bills, tipping, service charges, online pickup and delivery orders, handheld devices for tableside ordering and a kitchen display system. Reviewers rate its hardware as durable in busy environments. Compare the restaurant bundle's devices and processing rates with your expected order volume.

Is Clover secure?

Clover's optional Security Plus package, built on First Data technology, provides end-to-end encryption and tokenisation of card data, a PCI compliance wizard, a security score and a liability waiver if a data breach occurs. Clover accounts also go through credit approval and underwriting. Ask your seller whether Security Plus is included or charged separately.

What warranty does Clover hardware have?

Clover says hardware on a subscription includes a full warranty with an equipment protection programme covering defects and accidental damage, while hardware bought outright has a one-year limited warranty for manufacturer defects. Clover Care, bought once per device, extends protection to three years with up to three replacements and no deductibles.

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