How Does Clover Work

One vital decision that either makes or breaks business work flow is the POS system in use.

Clover POS system is one of the most popular POS systems on the market today, but does Clover have all the aspects you need?

We explain the features offered by Clover and why you might consider using this POS company, or if it would be in your best interest to look elsewhere.

What Is Clover?

Clover is one of the most popular cloud-based systems on the market today that uses a versatile app store, allowing business owners to adapt the system to the needs of their businesses.

Clover was invented as a way to incorporate app technology in a time when most POS system options weren't. In 2019, Clover was acquired by Fiserv, one of the largest financial technology corporations in the country.

There are more than 450 apps that you can use in the Clover app market, allowing you to customize the way your POS system serves your business.

Though most of the apps in the market were not developed by Clover, the company does a rigorous vetting check to ensure that each Clover app is first-rate and purposeful.

Though Clover started out in the restaurant and retail sphere, it eventually became a popular choice with off-site professional services, such as lawn care and air conditioning professionals, and in-office professionals, including dentists and doctors.

According to Clover, the focus of the company is mid-sized businesses that have less than 10 locations. While there are many Clover hardware options, one of the best ones for small business owners is the Clover Go.

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How Does Clover POS Work?

Clover works in many ways thanks to its range of hardware options, such as mini mobile card readers, tablets, cash drawers, and more. These pieces of hardware can be mixed and matched to meet the needs of your business.

With Clover app store software, you're able to individually customize your POS system. The apps cover several processes, including customer engagement, rewards programs, cash management, inventory management, payroll, job posting, special pricing, and so much more.

The entire Clover system is built on the Android platform, though it's important to note that the hardware only works in tandem with other kinds of Clover hardware.

However, with that said, managers and business owners that want to keep an eye on the ongoings of their business remotely can use an app available in both the Android and iOS stores. You can use this app to monitor your system from a laptop or computer wherever you have WiFi!

Those looking for quality customer support will be happy to know that Clover also offers 24/7 support. If you need help during the process of unboxing and installation, they'll even schedule a phone appointment to help you out.

Overall, whether you're looking to accept payments online using the handy virtual terminal, set up gift cards, sync with third-party applications, or track the various elements of your business, such as revenue, employees, etc., Clover can get the job done.

How Much Does Clover Cost?

The cost of using a Clover POS system varies.

There are many variables to consider when purchasing a POS system, similar to the way there are many variables to purchasing a car. Financing is available, as are multiple any add-ons and additional software features which will affect the overall price.

Let's break down the prices associated with Clover's options:

Clover Go: The Clover Go hardware system is the smallest and least expensive piece of hardware in the lineup. This small gadget can accept payments with your mobile phone. You can integrate Clover Go with your current Clover system for around $69.
Clover Flex: Clover Flex is the company's small handheld card reader for on-the-go payment processing. This small system costs around $499.
Clover Mini: The compan'ys Clover Mini systems is Clover's smaller customer-facing POS terminal that costs around $749. It's a great choice for small to mid-sized businesses, such as coffee shops and retail stores.
Clover Station: You get two options when picking the Clover Station, including the Solo and Duo. The Clover Station POS is the most versatile and professional model in the Clover lineup. It's a free-standing register that costs anywhere from $1,349 to $1,500. The price depends on the model that you choose, the seller you buy from, and any built-in features you choose to add, such as a receipt printer or cash drawer.

You will also likely have to pay some monthly subscription costs for some of these devices, which can vary depending on the plan and provider you buy from.

While you have the ability to purchase these POS systems from Clover, you can also purchase them from several banks, such as Wells Fargo, PNC, Bank of America, or other POS merchants.

You will also have to deal with payment processing fees, which will vary depending on the merchant services provider.

Let's look at what you can expect from different POS systems for different kinds of businesses.

Quick-Service & Full-Service Restaurants

The great thing about the POS systems for quick-service restaurants in Clover is that they are standard across all tiers.

There are no standard and advanced plans to worry about, which often have limitations in lower tiers.

The biggest difference between the different options you have is the Clover equipment or Clover devices that the software runs on. Tiers cost around $10 more than the ones before.

Clover's restaurant POS system payment processing for quick-service restaurants cost around 2.3% + $0.10 when performing in-person transactions and 3.5% + $0.10 when performing keyed-in transactions.

Retail

Clover is a great POS system for retail because of its intuitive interface. There are three tiers in the retail plans, including the Starter Plan, the Standard Plan, and the Advanced Plan, which range from around $749 to $2,148. It's important to note that beyond the feature differences, the payment processing rate for the standard and advanced plans are 2.3% + $0.10, while the payment processing rate for the starter plan is 2.6% + $0.10.

Premium-tier plans will allow you to integrate scales to weigh items, as well as itemize exchanges and returns.

Main Benefits Of Clover

Low Credit Card Payment Processing Rates

In most Clover plans, you will find a flat credit card payment processing rate of 2.3% + $0.10 for in-person transactions. This credit card payment processing rate is lower than what you can expect to find in most heavyweight point-of-sale systems, such as Square or Stripe.

Having a low credit card payment processing rate can be very beneficial if you have a sales volume that is higher than average.

There are different payment processing fees for online payments vs. in-person transactions. The online payment processing fee is 3.5% + $0.10 per transaction.

Solid Features and Monthly Fees

You'll often pay around $100 or more for monthly fees when you own a POS system. The most expensive retail point of sale system with Clover is only $49.90, while the top-of-the-line plan for restaurants is only $94.85.

Of course, finding the right point of sale system is so much more than the cost or the payment processing fees. It's important to ensure that you have the right features for your business. For example, retail business owners might want itemized returns or low stock alerts, and restaurants might want remote order ticket routing or table mapping.

Great Selection of Hardware Options

Clover has high-quality and distinct hardware with a sleek, modern white and silver look. The hardware that the company provides is built for point of sale, unlike some companies that only make POS software that runs on a phone or tablet.

Beyond the Clover Station Duo, which is the company's flagship option with a versatile virtual terminal, the handheld device is what truly stands out. For starters, unlike handheld devices from other POS providers, such as Toast, you can use the handheld hardware device in both retail and restaurant situations.

Unlike Square, Clover's handheld device also comes with a built-in receipt printer.

It is also worth noting that the company's handheld card reader is more versatile in the way it accepts payments. The mobile card readers from Square and Zettle utilize credit card processing that does not process payments from swipes, while Clover Go does.

Main Disadvantages of Clover

No Free Starter Options

One of the major drawbacks of Clover compared to other POS systems is that there are not any free options for hardware or software. Of course, relative to other POS systems, the Clover cost of software is quite moderate. However, the fact that the company does not offer a free introductory option for business owners that want to test out the system is a bit of a drawback, especially for small business owners. Our free cash register online guide can point you in the right direction if you are in the market for a free alternative.

Best Alternative To Clover

If you're looking for a system that can deliver a flexible and straightforward plan with a decent, flat-rate credit card processing fee, we highly recommend checking out Square POS.

You can try out Square's starter plan for absolutely free, which is one of the major selling points. Even before you choose to upgrade to one of the more robust plans, it'll probably surprise you how deep the set of features on Square's systems is.

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From payroll features to employee management to customer loyalty programs and beyond, you get all of the features you'd need for your business with fees similar to that of Clover. The credit card payment processing rate for in-person transactions is slightly more, though the features are much simpler to understand, thanks to the fact that Square does not use third-party features.

There are no long-term contracts with Square, meaning you can switch over hassle free if you end up finding a different system that better fits your needs. Head over to Clover vs Square for a more in-depth comparison.

FAQ

How Does Clover Work With Shopify?

You can integrate Shopify with Clover's hardware, such as the Clover Station if you're looking to add eCommerce capabilities to your current POS system.

How Does Clover Go Work?

Clover Go is a blend of an app and portable card reader that can accept payments using NFC, EMV, and regular swipe cards. This square-shaped terminal is wireless and can fit in the palm of your hand, allowing you to process payments with a WiFi connection.

Visit Clover POS reviews to learn more.