Clover POS vs Square POS

Clover vs. Square

Two prominent companies in point-of-sale (POS) systems stand out: Square POS and Clover POS. Both provide several services and abilities suitable for a broad spectrum of companies of various sizes. However, identifying the ideal POS system can be arduous, especially when both providers offer extensive services. 

This comparison aims to thoroughly compare Square and Clover POS, focusing on four critical aspects: service range and customization, ease of use and integration, security and compliance, and price. After making these comparisons, you can determine your business's most appropriate POS system.

Service range and customization options

Square and Clover POS are highly competitive integrated service providers focusing on POS systems, online payments, appointment schedulers, payment processors, invoicing, and subscriptions. 

These services address different types of businesses, e.g., production, retail and food services, professional services, and e-commerce. As for customization features, both companies offer application programming interfaces and developer tools to enable businesses to customize their POS equipment to meet their requirements.

However, the two companies have some differences that make them unique. Square POS has been optimized in terms of versatility and can set up purchase receipts, invoices, and payments according to the merchant's unique parameters. They’re observed to provide integrated APIs that are popular among users, allowing developers to build customized solutions for integrating different software for business. 

Clover POS deals more with their branded products regarding hardware and software, giving customers less freedom to innovate. They also provide some API integrations but are less rich and diverse than Square.

Ease of use and integration

Square’s POS system and Clover’s have advantages and disadvantages when determining how easily they can be integrated and how intuitive both are. Both have easy navigation and designs, making it easy for users to get started. Square POS is particularly valued for the ease of use of the mobile application introduced in the system to help business owners monitor their outlets’ performance in motion. Clover POS is more complex in the interface and might be difficult, even for the first few minutes of usage.

In terms of integration, both companies share the ability to easily integrate with various other customers, as well as accounting software and e-commerce solutions. Nevertheless, Square POS offers an opportunity to combine the application with more advanced tools, including QuickBooks and Xero. Clover POS, while giving a host of integrations to their users, does not cover these as comprehensively as other systems do. Additionally, the integration embedded in Square POS is more open, with the help of developers, who can integrate them easily.

Security and compliance

Security and compliance are two main factors that must be considered while selecting any POS system. Square POS and Clover are secured like any other payment system and provide various protective measures concerning transactions and other information. Cybersecurity plays an important role in minimizing risks related to fraudulent activities by encouraging encryption and following a stringent method to check for fraudulent dealings. Both companies operate by best practices and compliances, including the PCI DSS.

However, each company has a different approach to security. Square POS is friendly with users regarding security measures and has elaborated on the list of security compliances. Clover POS keeps their policy more concealed; therefore, it is almost impossible to determine how efficient the offered security measures are.

Pricing

Starting at 2.3% + 10 cents per transaction, Clover POS costs include software, hardware, and payment processing expenses. Plans range from "Starter" to "Advanced," with prices changing depending on the kind of business. One option is a one-time payment of $1,699 plus $84.95 each month, while the other is a monthly payment of $160 for 36 months. With Clover's hardware, you'll need to utilize their partnered credit card processors, and subscriptions can be either monthly or annual.

On the other hand, Square POS has an upfront pricing strategy that doesn't conceal any fees or charges, and the base plan even lacks a monthly cost. Processing fees for card-present transactions are 2.6% plus 10 cents; for card-not-present transactions, they are 2.9% plus 30 cents; and for keyed-in transactions, they are 3.5% plus 15 cents. The free plans can be upgraded to Plus or Premium, with custom pricing available for high-volume businesses.

Customers looking for simplicity will find greater value in Square's simple pricing and flexible packages, but organizations with particular demands will prefer Clover's deep customization choices.

Conclusion

Both POS systems have similar services and special features that would be helpful for small, midsize, and big companies. Additionally, both companies’ equipment has its benefits and drawbacks, but overall, Square POS has more appealing advantages in terms of customization, simplicity, and protection mechanisms. Clover POS is comparatively less flexible because it is an open system with few hardware and software products that they have developed. This restricts the ability to add and change features as needed.

While small businesses may find the Square platform suitable for their needs, others requiring a more robust solution that involves both the hardware and the software may find Clover POS more appropriate. Overall, both companies are flexible enough to allow you to pick whichever system you feel is most appropriate.

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