BeltStack

Square POS vs Clover POS (2026)

Square POS and Clover POS are both popular all-in-one options for small businesses. Square is known for free software and straightforward pricing; Clover offers a wider range of hardware and an app market so you can tailor the register to your workflow. Choosing between them often comes down to whether you prioritize lowest cost and simplicity (Square) or hardware choice and add-on apps (Clover).

Square POS

4.6 rating

From Free software, hardware from $49

Best overall POS for many small businesses with simple setup and integrated payments.

Visit Square POS

Clover POS

4.3 rating

From From ~$69/mo (with hardware)

Best POS hardware ecosystem with a wide choice of terminals and add-on apps.

Visit Clover POS

Quick recommendation

  • Square POS: Choose Square POS if you want the lowest upfront cost, no monthly software fee, and a simple setup that gets you taking payments quickly.
  • Clover POS: Choose Clover POS if you want more hardware options (terminals, registers, handhelds) and an app market to extend functionality without changing devices.

Quick verdict

How these two tools differ.

Square has built its reputation on simplicity and transparent pricing. There’s no monthly software fee for basic POS; you pay for hardware and per-transaction processing. That makes it easy to start and scale without long-term commitment. Hardware options are solid—readers, terminals, registers—but the lineup is more focused than Clover’s. For many small retailers, cafes, and service businesses, Square is the path of least resistance.

Clover emphasizes choice. You can run a simple counter setup or a full register with multiple stations; you can add loyalty, scheduling, or industry-specific tools via the Clover App Market. The trade-off is that pricing typically bundles software and hardware into a monthly fee, so you’re rarely at zero monthly cost. For businesses that want to customize their checkout and don’t mind a subscription, Clover is a strong alternative.

If your main goal is to get a POS running quickly with minimal cost and commitment, Square usually wins. If you care more about hardware flexibility and add-on apps, Clover is worth the extra monthly investment.

See our full Square POS review →See our full Clover POS review →

Quick decision guide

Which product fits your situation.

Choose Square POS if:

  • You want no or minimal monthly software cost.
  • You prefer a simple, well-documented setup with fewer choices to make.
  • You’re okay with Square’s hardware lineup and don’t need a large app ecosystem.

Choose Clover POS if:

  • You want to choose from a wide variety of terminals, registers, and handhelds.
  • You plan to add loyalty, scheduling, or other capabilities via apps.
  • You’re comfortable with a monthly bundle that includes software and hardware.

Ratings comparison

How we score each product.

CategorySquare POSClover POS
Pricing & value4.74.0
Hardware options4.34.7
Ease of use4.74.4

Feature comparison

Side-by-side feature check.

SupportedPartial supportNot available

FeatureSquare POSClover POS
Payment processingIntegrated payments, cards, contactlessIntegrated payments, cards, contactless
Inventory managementItems, stock levels, low-stock alertsItems, stock levels, low-stock alerts
Reporting and analyticsSales by item, period, and payment typeSales by item, period, and payment type
IntegrationsAccounting, ecommerce, and third-party appsAccounting, ecommerce, and third-party apps
Hardware varietyReaders, terminals, registers; focused lineupWide range of devices and form factors; app market
Monthly costFree software tier availableTypically bundled monthly fee with hardware

Pricing comparison

What to expect to pay.

Square offers free POS software; hardware starts around $49 and processing is per transaction. Clover typically bundles software and hardware into a monthly fee starting around $69. For businesses that want to minimize recurring cost, Square is usually cheaper. For those that value hardware choice and apps and are okay with a subscription, Clover’s bundle can be justified.

Pros and cons

Strengths and trade-offs.

Square POS

Pros

  • Free software and low upfront cost; no long-term contract.
  • Simple setup and clear pricing.
  • Good enough hardware range for most SMBs.

Cons

  • Fewer hardware and app options than Clover.
  • Advanced features require paid add-ons.

Clover POS

Pros

  • Broad hardware selection and Clover App Market for add-ons.
  • Flexible for retail, restaurant, and service businesses.
  • Bundled pricing can simplify budgeting.

Cons

  • Monthly cost is typically higher than Square’s free tier.
  • Can feel fragmented when relying on many third-party apps.

Best for

Which tool fits your situation.

Best for lowest cost and simplicity

Square POS is the better fit if you want to get started quickly with minimal monthly cost and a straightforward hardware and software stack.

Best for hardware and app flexibility

Clover POS is the better fit if you want to choose your devices and extend the system with apps, and you’re okay with a monthly bundle.

Alternatives

Other options we review.

Shopify POS

Better when ecommerce is central and you want one system for online and in-store.

Read review →Toast POS

Purpose-built for restaurants if you need table and kitchen management.

Read review →

More comparisons

Read full reviews

Dive deeper into each product.

For detailed ratings, features, and pros and cons, see our standalone reviews:

Best POS software guides

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FAQs

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