Square vs Clover (2026): POS Fees, Hardware, Contracts
Square vs Clover compared for 2026: card processing fees, monthly software costs, hardware, contracts and who each POS suits, with a worked cost example.
Quick answer: Square is an all-in-one POS with no monthly fee on its Free plan, flat published card rates and no contract, which suits new and small businesses. Clover, owned by Fiserv, pairs sturdier hardware with monthly software plans and slightly lower in-person rates on some plans, but pricing and contracts can vary by reseller.
Square vs Clover is one of the most common point-of-sale comparisons for cafes, shops, salons and food businesses. Both handle card payments, tips, inventory and reporting. The real differences are in how you pay: fixed monthly costs versus per-transaction fees, hardware prices, and whether a contract is involved. This guide compares fees as of October 2026, explains hardware and contracts, and walks through a monthly cost example.
What are Square and Clover?
Square (owned by Block, Inc.) combines POS software, payment processing, invoicing, online store tools and hardware in one account. You sign up online, get approved quickly, and can take payments on a phone the same day.
Clover is a POS platform owned by Fiserv, one of the largest payment processors in the US. Clover devices and software are sold directly by Clover and through many banks and independent sales organizations (ISOs). That distribution model is why two Clover merchants can pay different rates.
Both are merchant services providers: they process card payments and deposit the money in your bank account minus fees. For background on how those fees are built, see our guide to credit card processing fees.
Square vs Clover fees as of October 2026
The figures below are published US rates as of October 2026. Square raised several Free plan rates in 2025 and January 2026, and Fiserv has adjusted Clover pricing too, so confirm on each provider's site before you sign.
| Fee | Square | Clover (bought direct) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly software | Free plan $0; Plus about $49 per location; Premium custom or higher | Monthly plan fee that depends on device and business type (from about $15 a month for basic setups to well over $100 for full systems) |
| In-person card (tap, dip, swipe) | 2.6% + 15 cents on Free; about 2.5% + 15 cents on Plus | About 2.3% + 10 cents (restaurant plans) to 2.6% + 10 cents (retail starter plans) |
| Online and invoice payments | 3.3% + 30 cents on Free; 2.9% + 30 cents on paid plans | Typically about 3.5% + 10 cents for keyed and card-not-present payments |
| Manually keyed card | 3.5% + 15 cents | About 3.5% + 10 cents |
| Contract | None | None when bought direct; resellers may require multi-year terms |
Sources: Square pricing and Clover pricing, plus third-party fee trackers, checked October 2026. Rates differ for some business types, and resellers can set their own Clover pricing. Treat this table as a starting point, not a quote.
Square's flat-rate model is simple to forecast. Clover direct pricing is also flat-rate, but reseller deals may use interchange-plus or tiered pricing with extra monthly fees such as PCI compliance or statement fees. Our PCI compliance guide explains what those fees are for.
Hardware: what each system costs to set up
| Need | Square | Clover |
|---|---|---|
| Start on a phone | Free Square app, Tap to Pay on iPhone and Android | Clover Go reader with the Clover Go app |
| Portable card reader | Square Reader (contactless and chip), low upfront cost | Clover Go, higher upfront cost |
| Handheld POS | Square Handheld | Clover Flex |
| Countertop | Square Terminal, Square Register, Square Stand for iPad | Clover Mini, Clover Station Solo and Duo |
| Buying options | Buy outright or pay monthly through Square | Buy outright, monthly payments, or leases through some resellers |
Hardware prices change often, so check the current shop page for each brand. In general, Square has cheaper entry hardware and lets you start with just a phone, while Clover devices cost more upfront but are often praised for build quality. Avoid long hardware leases: over several years they can cost far more than buying. For a broader look at devices, see our card readers for small business guide and our explainer on Tap to Pay on iPhone.
Worked example: monthly cost for a coffee shop
Assume a coffee shop takes $30,000 a month in card sales through 3,000 in-person transactions (average ticket $10), with no online orders. Using the published rates above, as of October 2026:
| Line | Square Free | Square Plus | Clover restaurant plan (illustrative) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage fee | 2.6% x $30,000 = $780 | 2.5% x $30,000 = $750 | 2.3% x $30,000 = $690 |
| Per-transaction fee | 3,000 x $0.15 = $450 | 3,000 x $0.15 = $450 | 3,000 x $0.10 = $300 |
| Monthly software | $0 | $49 | $85 (illustrative mid-tier plan) |
| Total per month | $1,230 | $1,249 | $1,075 |
With small tickets, the per-transaction fee matters a lot. Here Clover's 10 cent fixed fee saves $150 a month on its own, so Clover comes out about $155 cheaper even after its software fee. Now change the business: a boutique with $8,000 a month in sales over 100 transactions (average $80). Square Free costs about $223 ($208 + $15). Clover at 2.6% + 10 cents with a $15 plan costs about $233. At low volume, Square's lack of a monthly fee wins. The lesson: model your own volume and average ticket size.
Software and features compared
- Ease of setup: Square is self-serve and quick. Clover setup may involve a sales rep or reseller, especially for full restaurant systems.
- Industry versions: Square has dedicated Restaurants, Retail and Appointments software. Clover offers restaurant, retail and services plans, plus an app market for add-ons.
- Invoicing and online sales: Square includes invoices, payment links and an online store builder. Clover offers invoicing, a virtual terminal and online ordering, with options varying by plan. Our Square invoice fees guide covers invoice pricing in detail.
- Payroll and banking: Square offers payroll and banking products in the same account. Clover integrates with Fiserv services and third-party apps.
- Offline mode: Both can take some payments offline and process them later, with limits and added risk of declines.
- Support: Square support is centralized. Clover support may come from Clover, your bank or your reseller, which is worth clarifying upfront.
How to choose between Square and Clover: a checklist
- Write down monthly card volume, number of transactions and average ticket size.
- Split sales into in-person, online and keyed, because rates differ by channel.
- Price the exact hardware you need, buying outright versus monthly payments.
- Get a written Clover quote and ask: who is the processor, is there a contract, what is the early termination fee, and are there PCI, statement or annual fees?
- Calculate a 12-month and 36-month total for each option, including hardware.
- Test the software: build a few items, run a test sale and a refund, and try the reports.
- Check how chargebacks are handled and what the fee is. Our guide to handling chargebacks explains the process.
- If you plan to pass fees on, read the credit card surcharge rules for your state first.
Contracts, resellers and the fine print
This is the biggest practical difference in Square vs Clover. Square sells only directly, with one published price list and a month-to-month relationship. You can stop using it any day and owe nothing beyond fees already incurred.
Clover is sold directly by Clover and also through banks and independent sales organizations. Each seller can set its own processing rates, monthly fees and contract length. Common items to watch in a reseller agreement:
- Term and auto-renewal: Three-year terms that renew automatically unless you cancel in a narrow window.
- Early termination fee: A flat fee or liquidated damages based on expected processing.
- Equipment lease: A separate, often non-cancelable lease that continues even if you close the merchant account.
- Extra fees: PCI compliance or non-compliance fees, monthly minimums, statement fees, batch fees and annual fees.
- Pricing model: Flat rate, interchange-plus or tiered. Interchange-plus can be cheaper for high volume, while tiered pricing is hard to compare.
Buying Clover directly from Clover's website usually gives you published pricing and avoids most of these issues. If a local bank offers Clover, ask for the full fee schedule in writing and compare it with the direct price.
Payouts, tips and invoices for bigger orders
Day-to-day operations also differ in smaller ways:
- Payout speed: Square's standard transfers usually arrive in one to two business days, with instant transfers for a fee. Clover's standard funding is typically next business day, with faster options depending on your account.
- Tips: Both support tip prompts on screen and tip pooling or reporting for staff. Check how tips flow into payroll if you employ servers.
- Invoices: For catering, wholesale or event orders, you often need a formal invoice with a deposit and a due date rather than a POS receipt.
Here is a sample invoice a cafe might send for a catering order, paid later by card through either system:
| Item | Qty | Unit price | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breakfast pastry platter (serves 20) | 3 | $65.00 | $195.00 |
| Coffee carafe (96 oz) | 4 | $32.00 | $128.00 |
| Fresh fruit tray | 2 | $48.00 | $96.00 |
| Delivery and setup | 1 | $35.00 | $35.00 |
| Subtotal | $454.00 | ||
| Sales tax (8%, illustrative) | $36.32 | ||
| Less deposit paid | -$100.00 | ||
| Balance due | $390.32 | ||
Check whether delivery is taxable in your state with our sales tax calculator and state guides. Number every invoice in sequence; the invoice number generator helps if you are starting from scratch.
Which is better by business type?
| Business | Usually better fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Market stall, pop-up or food truck | Square | No monthly fee, phone-based start, cheap reader |
| Busy coffee shop or quick-service restaurant | Compare both | Clover's lower fixed fee can win on many small tickets |
| Full-service restaurant | Compare both | Both have strong restaurant suites; quotes decide |
| Salon, spa or appointment business | Square | Square Appointments bundles booking, reminders and payments |
| Retail store with steady volume | Compare both | Inventory features and rate tiers differ by plan |
| Service business that mainly invoices | Neither by default | An invoice plus payment link may be cheaper than a POS |
Common mistakes when comparing POS systems
- Comparing only the percentage rate. The fixed per-transaction fee can dominate for small tickets.
- Ignoring monthly software fees. A lower rate can cost more overall at low volume.
- Signing a reseller lease without reading it. Non-cancelable equipment leases are a common complaint with POS systems sold through third parties.
- Forgetting online and keyed rates. If you invoice customers or take phone orders, those rates apply.
- Not keeping invoices for larger orders. Catering and wholesale customers often need a proper invoice. You can create one with our free invoice generator and take payment on either POS.
Square vs Clover: which should you choose?
Choose Square if you are starting out, have uneven or seasonal sales, want no contract, or need to take payments from a phone with minimal setup. Choose Clover if you have steady high volume with many small tickets, want robust countertop hardware, and can get a clean direct agreement without a long lease. For businesses that mostly bill clients rather than ring up sales, compare our Stripe vs Square guide too.
Whichever POS you pick for Square vs Clover, larger orders, catering jobs and business customers still need clear invoices. Our invoice generator is free, needs no sign-up, and creates a downloadable PDF in your browser, so you can bill those customers and record the payment in your POS.
Frequently asked questions
Is Square or Clover cheaper for a small business?
For low sales volume, Square is usually cheaper because its Free plan has no monthly software fee and no contract, so you only pay processing fees. Clover's in-person card rates can be slightly lower, especially for restaurants, but you also pay a monthly software fee and buy more expensive hardware. Once volume is high, Clover's rate difference can outweigh its fixed costs, so run the numbers for your own sales.
Does Clover require a contract?
It depends on where you buy it. Clover is owned by Fiserv and is sold both directly and through banks and independent resellers. Buying direct from Clover typically avoids a long processing contract, while some resellers bundle Clover with multi-year agreements, leased hardware and early termination fees. Read the merchant agreement carefully and ask who your processor and support contact will be before signing.
Can I use Clover hardware with another processor?
Generally no. Clover devices are tied to Fiserv processing, and a device bought through one reseller may not move to another account easily. That lock-in is a key difference from Square, whose hardware also only works with Square but which you can stop using at any time without a contract. Ask about hardware portability and buyback before you commit.
Does Square charge a monthly fee?
Square's Free plan has no monthly fee, which is why many new businesses start there. Paid plans such as Square Plus and Premium add features like advanced inventory, staff tools and lower processing rates for a monthly fee per location. Specialized versions for restaurants, retail and appointments have their own plan tiers, so check Square's pricing page for the version you use.
Which is better for restaurants, Square or Clover?
Both have strong restaurant software with table management, tips, modifiers and kitchen display options. Clover's restaurant plans often carry its lowest published in-person rate, which can matter for a busy dining room. Square for Restaurants is easier to start with a free tier and cheaper hardware. Busy full-service restaurants should compare quotes, while cafes and food trucks often start on Square.
Can I send invoices with Square and Clover?
Yes. Square Invoices is built into the Square dashboard and charges a processing fee when customers pay by card or bank transfer. Clover also supports invoices and virtual terminal payments, with keyed or online rates usually higher than in-person rates. If you invoice clients but rarely need a POS, a standalone invoice plus a payment link may be cheaper than either system.
How fast do Square and Clover deposit funds?
Square generally deposits to your linked bank account in one to two business days for free, with an instant transfer option for a fee. Clover's standard funding is typically next business day, and faster funding may be available for a fee depending on your account. Exact timing depends on your bank and cut-off times, so confirm the funding schedule in your agreement.
Is it easy to switch from Clover to Square or the other way?
Switching software is not hard, but contracts and hardware can make it expensive. Moving from Clover can involve an early termination fee and hardware you cannot reuse. Moving from Square mostly means buying new devices and exporting your item library and customer list. Plan the switch around a quiet period, test card payments before going live, and keep old sales reports.
Invoice Creator Editorial Team
Guides on invoicing, cash flow and small-business finance from Invoice Creator, operated by Next Software Development Company. Content is reviewed for accuracy against the fields our own invoice generator produces.
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