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Overview
Clover is an all-in-one point-of-sale and payment processing system owned by Fiserv. It's designed to be a complete business management solution, combining payment processing with inventory management, employee scheduling, customer management, and business analytics.
From my experience working with POS systems, Clover offers one of the most comprehensive all-in-one solutions on the market. However, this comes with complexity and potentially higher costs than simpler solutions like Square.
Clover is particularly popular in the restaurant and retail industries, where businesses need robust features beyond just payment processing. The system is available in multiple hardware configurations, from simple countertop terminals to full restaurant POS systems.
Pricing Breakdown
Processing Fees
| Payment Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| In-person payments | 2.3% + $0.10 per transaction |
| Online payments | 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction |
| Keyed-in payments | 3.5% + $0.15 per transaction |
Hardware & Software Costs
Clover hardware ranges from $49 to $1,649 depending on the model. Monthly software subscriptions start at $14.95/month for basic plans, with more advanced features requiring higher-tier plans.
Note: Pricing varies by merchant account provider. Some providers may offer hardware discounts or different processing rates.
Key Features
All-in-One POS
Complete point-of-sale system with payment processing, inventory, employees, and customers all in one platform.
Inventory Management
Advanced inventory tracking with low stock alerts, vendor management, and purchase order creation.
Employee Management
Schedule employees, track time, manage permissions, and process payroll integration.
Customer Management
Customer database with purchase history, loyalty programs, and marketing tools.
Business Analytics
Comprehensive reporting and analytics to track sales, inventory, employees, and business performance.
App Market
Extensive app marketplace with hundreds of integrations for accounting, marketing, and business tools.
Pros & Cons
✓ Pros
- Comprehensive all-in-one solution
- Competitive in-person processing rates
- Strong inventory management
- Employee management features
- Extensive app marketplace
- Good for restaurants and retail
- Multiple hardware options
✗ Cons
- Hardware costs can be high
- Monthly software subscription fees
- Complex setup and learning curve
- May require merchant account setup
- Less flexible than modular solutions
- Can be overwhelming for small businesses
- Contract terms vary by provider
Who Should Use Clover?
Restaurants
Full-service restaurants benefit from Clover's table management, kitchen display, and menu management features.
Retail Stores
Retail businesses that need comprehensive inventory management and customer relationship tools.
Multi-Location Businesses
Businesses with multiple locations that need centralized reporting and management.
Growing Businesses
Businesses that have outgrown simple payment processors and need more comprehensive business management tools.