Clover POS System Review

Clover POS can handle the business needs of many industries. Does it suit your business? Read this review for the pros and cons.

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What Is Clover POS?

Clover is one of the most customizable cloud-based POS systems available today. But since it runs only on Clover equipment, you can't get the POS software using your existing setup.

Clover POS has two components:

1. Hardware: The tablet or register used to process your payments and run your back-office

2. Software: The actual POS operating system

You purchase a Clover POS in conjunction with your credit card processing services. You can buy your Clover system directly or via one of its partners, such as:

• Bank of America
  
• Associated Bank
  
• Bank OZK
  
• Capital Bank
  
• Chemical Bank
  
• First Interstate Bank
  
• First Tennessee Bank
  
• Huntington
  
• PNC
  
• Wells Fargo

Pros

Suitable for All Business Types
Clover POS works well with retail establishments, restaurants (quick service and full-service), and service businesses, such as salons.

Works With More Than 300 Apps
If you need more than basic features, Clover integrates well with apps, including Mailchimp, Xero, Woo Commerce, Shopify, and DocuSign.

Accept Offline Payments
Once you have an internet connection, you can process your offline sales.

24/7 Customer Support
You can get customer support in the U.S. around the clock by phone or email. For common questions, simply access the Help Center for tutorials and articles.

Chip and Contactless Payments
All POS hardware options available through Clover enable you to accept swipe, EMV-chip, Apple Pay, and Google Pay payments.

Cons

Requires Clover Hardware
You must pay for the hardware in order to use the POS system and related apps.

Monthly Service Fee
Even if you don't process any payments that month, you still pay a monthly fee, as well as payment processing fees and the monthly register fee.

No Customer Service on Third-Party Apps
Clover provides access to hundreds of apps that it doesn't manage. If you have issues or questions, you must go through the app creator for customer service.

Hardware Features

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All Clover POS systems offer:

• Registration to process payments
  
• Promos to keep customers coming back
  
• Feedback to hear from customers
  
• Loyalty rewards
  
• Customer lists
  
• Clover Dining to manage restaurant floor plans
  
• Employee management with Shifts

Read on to learn about the levels Clover offers.

Clover Go

Cost: $69

All Clover Go transactions sync with your online Clover dashboard, which you can access from any device. Just attach the reader to your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth to accept swiped, chip, and contactless payments.

Clover Flex

Cost: $499

The Clover Flex's all-in-one system can replace the standard register. Here's what it lets you do:

• Take orders
  
• Accept swipe, chip, and contactless payments
  
• Manage inventory
  
• Manage customer data
  
• Create and manage loyalty programs
  
• Run sales reports

Clover Mini

Cost: $749

Minimize the use of counter space without sacrificing functions with the Clover Mini. It allows you to:

• Accept swipe, chip, and contactless payments
  
• Set up tipping options for customers
  
• Set up with barcode scanners and scales
  
• Manage inventory
  
• Run sales reports
  
• Manage customer data
  
• Access reporting from anywhere

Clover Station POS

Cost: $1,349

The Clover Station POS is the fastest POS and has the highest level of security. It includes a cash drawer and receipt printer as well as a large 14" display.

With Clover Station POS, you can:

• Accept swipe, chip, and contactless payments
  
• Manage inventory
  
• Manage employees
  
• Run reports
  
• Create custom orders
  
• Set up tipping options
  
• Set up with barcode scanners and scales

Software Features

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Clover offers two software plans. Read on for the details.

Register Lite

Cost: $14 per month

Payment Processing:

• In-person transactions: 2.7% plus $0.10 per transaction
  
• Keyed-in transactions: 3.5% plus $0.10 per transaction

Features:

• Process orders with tax and discounts
  
• Accept all forms of payments, including debit cards, credit cards, cash, and checks
  
• Take offline payment
  
• Instantly send receipts via text or email
  
• Run sales reports
  
• Set up customized taxes
  
• Run refunds
  
• Set up employee authorizations and manage hours
  
• Up to $100,000 in data breach protection
  
• Around-the-clock customer support

Register

Cost: $29 per month

Payment Processing:

• In-person transactions: 2.3% plus $0.10 per transaction
  
• Keyed-in transactions: 3.5% plus $0.10 per transaction

Features
Register includes everything from Register Lite plus:

• Inventory management
  
• Customer loyalty program management
  
• Customized tips
  
• Customer feedback and replies
  
• Marketing
  
• Process exchanges
  
• Open tabs
  
• Manage tables

How It Compares

Square
Square offers a powerful POS with no monthly fee. The easy setup makes it a great choice for new businesses. You can get a free credit card reader or pay for the Square hardware.

The tools aren't as robust in the free version. But they do offer expansive options for a monthly fee, including:

• Employee management
  
• Loyalty programs
  
• Marketing

Lightspeed
Lightspeed, like Clover, offers a powerful POS system and payment solutions. It also has monthly fees and charges interchange-plus pricing.

Lightspeed caters to restaurants and retail operations. It simplifies running the day-to-day business and can help you manage:

• Inventory
  
• Employees
  
• Data
  
• Sales

TouchBistro
TouchBistro is an iPad POS for restaurants. It offers a mobile POS system to make servers more accessible to customers and features:

• Restaurant table management
  
• Tableside ordering
  
• Restaurant CRM
  
• Menu management
  
• Inventory management
  
• Reporting features

TouchBistro also offers programs for quick service, full service, and bar type restaurants. All plans have a monthly fee.

Bottom Line

The Clover POS is a popular option among many merchant account providers. If you are an established business looking for your own merchant account, chances are that you'll come across the Clover POS.

Be sure to read the fine print carefully and compare the costs to make sure you are getting a good deal.