Square POS vs Clover (2026): features, security and which one to buy
Square POS and Clover compared on what they do, who they suit, their key features, pros and cons, and what each vendor publishes on security, admin and contract terms, with every fact checked on October 24, 2026.
Square POS or Clover: the short answer
Choose Square POS if
- Single-shop retailers and service businesses that want to start at $0 software.
- Merchants who want one vendor for hardware, payments and online store.
Choose Clover if
- Small restaurants and retailers wanting bundled hardware plus software.
- Merchants buying through their bank or ISO.
What are Square POS and Clover?
Square POS
Free-to-start POS from Block that bundles its own card processing, with paid per-location plans for retail and restaurants. Square POS starts at $0 per month and bundles its own hardware, card processing and a free online store. It is easy to set up and strong on reporting, though processing is Square-only and fees and hardware costs add up.
Clover
Fiserv-owned POS and merchant processing platform sold through banks and resellers, with bundled hardware and software plans. Clover is a Fiserv-owned platform sold through banks and resellers, with Station Duo, Mini and Flex hardware. It is quick to set up and suits small retailers and restaurants, though phone support and fee clarity draw complaints.
Square POS vs Clover: features compared
| Square POS | Clover | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Free-to-start POS from Block that bundles its own card processing, with paid per-location plans for retail and restaurants. | Fiserv-owned POS and merchant processing platform sold through banks and resellers, with bundled hardware and software plans. |
| Best for | Single-shop retailers and service businesses that want to start at $0 software. | Small restaurants and retailers wanting bundled hardware plus software. |
| Company size | Micro and small businesses; custom Premium for larger. | Small businesses. |
| Hardware and terminals | Square sells its own handheld, terminal, register, stand and kiosk hardware (hardware prices not confirmed by the vendor) | Clover Station Duo, Mini, Flex; Station Duo about $1,799 to $1,899 (third-party) |
| Payment processing terms | Square-only processing; 2.6% + 10c in person on Free, 2.5% + 10c on Retail Plus. | About 2.3% + 10c card-present, 3.5% + 10c keyed (third-party); rate depends on reseller. |
| Inventory management | Free plan includes basic inventory tools and unlimited items; G2 inventory sub-score 8.7/10. | Not published |
| Online and omnichannel sales | Free online store included on Retail Free plan. | Not published |
| Industry features | Separate Retail, Restaurants and Appointments products. | Retail, restaurant and services plans. |
| Reporting and analytics | Reviewers on G2 praise reporting (G2 summary) | Not published |
| Free plan or trial | Free plan | No |
| Starting price | $0/month (Square for Retail Free) | Varies by vertical; Standard bundle $130/month or $849 + $84.95/month (as listed by Clover) |
| G2 rating | 4.6 (1,208 reviews) | 3.8 (87 reviews) |
Pros and cons
Square POS
Pros
- Easy to use and quick to set up.
- Strong card payment experience and reporting.
Cons
- Processing fees and upfront hardware costs add up.
- Support access complaints are common across POS vendors, check before buying.
Clover
Pros
- Easy to use and quick setup.
- Modern hardware.
Cons
- Weak phone support.
- Fees unclear or higher than expected.
- Connectivity problems.
Square POS vs Clover pricing
Square POS starts at $0/month (Square for Retail Free) and Clover at Varies by vertical; Standard bundle $130/month or $849 + $84.95/month (as listed by Clover). The pricing bases differ, so compare the full quote for your team rather than the entry price.
| Square POS | Clover | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | per location | per device/plan bundle |
| Billing | Monthly. | Monthly and annual. |
| Add-ons | Not published | Additional devices about $11.95 to $19.95/month each (third-party) |
Differences most comparisons miss
Worth knowing about Square POS
- Retail Plus discount on in-person rate is only 0.1 percentage point (2.6% to 2.5%) and applies only on the Retail POS signed into Plus.
- Software and processing are tied: Square is the processor, so leaving means replacing hardware.
- Premium plan is quote-only and pitched at merchants above about $250K annual volume.
Worth knowing about Clover
- Clover is sold through banks and resellers, so rates and terms vary by reseller.
- Additional devices roughly $11.95 to $19.95/month each (third-party)
- Station Duo financing about $95/month over 36 months (third-party)
Square POS vs Clover: frequently asked questions
Which is better, Square POS or Clover?
It depends on the team. Square POS is the stronger pick for single-shop retailers and service businesses that want to start at $0 software, while Clover suits small restaurants and retailers wanting bundled hardware plus software. Compare the feature rows above against your must-haves before you look at price.
Can I try Square POS and Clover for free?
Square POS: free plan. Clover: no free plan or trial is published.
Sources
Both columns use the same sources: vendor pricing and product pages, documentation, G2 and company records, checked on October 24, 2026. Full source lists are on the Square POS and Clover reviews.