Square vs Clover POS: Which Is Right in 2026?
Square vs Clover compared on real 2026 pricing, processing rates, contract length, and hidden fees. Clover reseller pricing explained.
Square for transparency. Clover direct (not reseller) for restaurant rates.
Clover's reseller channel is where hidden fees and hardware leases bite. Bought direct, Clover restaurant plan's 2.3%+10¢ is the cheapest headline in-person rate of the 3. Square's pricing is harder to mess up.
- Square: month-to-month. Clover: 36-month contracts common.
- Clover restaurant plan: 2.3%+10¢ (best in-person rate here).
- Clover adds $100–200/mo in platform/PCI/statement fees not shown upfront.
- Clover hardware lease can cost 3× outright purchase — always buy.
Feature comparison
| Category | Square POS | Clover POS |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | $0 / $49 / $149 | $14.95–$354/mo per device |
| In-person rate | 2.6%+15¢ (free) / 2.4%+15¢ (Premium) | 2.3%+10¢ (restaurant) / 2.6%+10¢ (retail) |
| Contract | Month-to-month | 36 months typical |
| Hidden fees (PCI, statement, platform) | None | $100–200/mo common |
| Hardware pricing | Transparent, buy outright | Direct: transparent. Reseller: inflated leases. |
| App ecosystem | Good | Larger (marketplace) |
| Early termination fee | None | Remaining contract value |
Frequently asked
Is Clover really cheaper than Square on processing?
Headline yes, real-world often no. Clover's restaurant plan at 2.3%+10¢ beats Square's 2.6%+15¢. But Clover tacks on $100–200/mo in platform/PCI/statement fees that Square doesn't charge. Run the monthly math on your actual volume before deciding.
Should I buy Clover from a bank/reseller or direct?
Direct from Clover if possible. Reseller contracts often triple the hardware cost via leases, and early termination fees are based on the full contract value. Banks selling Clover are notorious for aggressive tactics.
Can I use my own payment processor with Clover?
Sometimes — it depends on the Clover device and reseller. Direct-from-Clover plans typically lock you to Fiserv processing. Some bank-sold Clovers can be reprogrammed. Always ask before buying; it's expensive to switch later.