Point of Sale Systems
Top Companies in 2024
Clover POS vs Toast
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- Customization options
- Scalability
- Payment flexibility
- Versatility
- Free introductory plan
- 24/7 support, year-long
- Detailed analytics and real-time reports
- Menu and inventory management
- POS system can work offline
- Free demo available
- Some of the hardware is an add-on
- Contractual commitments
- Payroll and team management only available as add-on
- Limited to the restaurant industry
- Payment processing is inflexible
- Requires long contract commitments
Clover POS is a dynamic player in the point-of-sale industry. Founded with the vision of simplifying business transactions, Clover has evolved into a powerhouse under the umbrella of Fiserv. Headquartered in the pulse of innovation, Clover's journey began with the goal of providing user-friendly, customizable solutions for businesses of all sizes. Operating seamlessly from its headquarters, the company's commitment to innovation shines through their diverse range of hardware, including the portable Clover Go and the robust Clover Station. Clover POS stands out with their intuitive interface and scalable software and hardware plans designed to meet the unique needs of businesses as they grow. From payment flexibility that embraces various transaction methods to robust inventory management and analytics tools, Clover empowers businesses to thrive. Customers revel in the versatility and adaptability of Clover, praising their commitment to innovation and user-centric design. With many positive customer experiences, the company's credentials for enhancing the operational efficiency of diverse businesses are well-established. Come with us through Clover POS's rich features, innovative solutions, and the transformative experiences they bring to businesses. Discover how this industry leader is shaping the future of point-of-sale systems, leaving businesses equipped and eager for the next level of success.
Toast is a Boston-based software development company specializing in providing POS products and services for the restaurant industry. They cater to around 100,000 restaurants of all sizes in the United States, Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. Their offerings include tools for in-location, takeout, and online point-of-sale, orders, payment processing, bookkeeping, marketing, team management, and integration capabilities. Toast POS is a user-friendly platform that offers solutions to help restaurant owners manage their business better, attract more customers, and keep their employees productive. They are compliant with PCI-DSS as a Level 1 service provider, ensuring the highest payment card security standards. They have an excellent reputation among their peers and have won several awards, including the Hottest Startup at the 2016 NEVY awards. They are also featured on Deloitte's Technology Fast 500 list. Moreover, they have a B rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and are accredited. While their customer service receives mixed reviews from clients, scoring 3.7 out of 5 on Trustpilot, they are generally praised for their software and features.
- Trustpilot Score : 3.8 out of 5
- Customer Experience : Good
- Transparent Pricing : True
- Pricing Model : Monthly fee + transaction price
- BBB Rating : A+
- Money-Back Guarantee : False
- Trustpilot Score : 3.7 out of 5
- Customer Experience : Good
- Transparent Pricing : True
- Pricing Model : Monthly fee, flat rate, separate feature rates & charges
- BBB Rating : B
- Money-Back Guarantee : False
- Fast processing of payments and transactions
- Consistent rates that meet your budget
- Customizable solutions for your business needs
- Reports and analytics to track how your business is performing
- Cloud-based services available
- Large app store with a wealth of integrations
- Automatic tax calculation and filing
- Benefits administration
- Employee timesheets and scheduling
- Detailed analytics and real-time reports
- Employee scheduling
- Mobile apps available for managers, staff, & guests
- No upfront fees to start using the system
- Automated Payroll
- Automated Tax Filing
- Billing & Invoicing
- Cloud-Based Services
- Customizable Hardware
- Electronic Receipts
- Free Hardware—Undisclosed
- HR Add Ons
- Inventory Management
- Inventory Tracking
- Loyalty Program
- Mobile App
- Mobile Card Reader
- Real-Time Reports
- Third-Party Software Integration
- Time Tracking
- Virtual Terminal
- Automated Payroll
- Automated Tax Filing
- Billing & Invoicing
- Cloud-Based Services
- Customizable Hardware
- Electronic Receipts
- Free Hardware
- HR Add Ons
- Inventory Management
- Inventory Tracking
- Loyalty Program
- Mobile App
- Mobile Card Reader
- Real-Time Reports
- Third-Party Software Integration
- Time Tracking
- Virtual Terminal
- EMV Compliant
- NFC
- Payment Fraud Protection
- PCI Compliance
- EMV Compliant
- NFC
- Payment Fraud Protection
- PCI Compliance
- Accounting Software
- Processing Services
- Productivity Software
- Accounting Software
- Processing Services
- Productivity Software
- Barcode Scanner
- Credit Card Reader
- Customer-Facing Display
- Display Screen
- POS Terminal
- Receipt Printer
- Self-Service Kiosk
- Barcode Scanner
- Credit Card Reader
- Customer-Facing Display
- Display Screen—Undisclosed
- POS Terminal
- Receipt Printer
- Self-Service Kiosk
- Android
- Cloud-Based
- iOS
- macOS
- On-Site Installation
- Windows
- Android
- Cloud-Based
- iOS
- macOS
- On-Site Installation
- Windows
- Annual Subscription
- Free Trial
- Freemium—Undisclosed
- Monthly Subscription
- One-Time License—Undisclosed
- Annual Subscription
- Free Trial
- Freemium
- Monthly Subscription
- One-Time License
- Documentation
- In-Person
- Live Online
- Videos
- Webinars
- Documentation
- In-Person
- Live Online
- Videos
- Webinars
- ACH Processing
- Cash Transactions
- Check
- Credit Card Terminals
- Electronic Signature
- Gift Cards
- In-Person Payments
- Mobile Payments
- Online Payment Processing
- ACH Processing
- Cash Transactions
- Check
- Credit Card Terminals
- Electronic Signature
- Gift Cards
- In-Person Payments
- Mobile Payments
- Online Payment Processing
- Demos
- FAQs/Forum
- Help Guides
- Live Chat
- Mobile App
- Phone
- Social Media
- Demos
- FAQs/Forum
- Help Guides
- Live Chat
- Mobile App
- Phone
- Social Media
Clover vs. Toast
Choosing the right POS system can boost your business's productivity and success. Toast and Clover POS are notable for their robust capabilities and flexibility. This makes them suitable for many businesses, allowing them to streamline operations. They also improve customer service and effectively manage transactions. With features tailored to various industries, these systems can adapt to unique business needs, ensuring efficiency and scalability.
Toast and Clover are also known for their user-friendly interfaces, extensive range of features, and ability to adapt to different scales of operations. Toast offers advanced menu management and integrated online ordering specifically designed for restaurants. On the other hand, Clover is highly regarded for their adaptability and versatility across several industries. This blog explores each system's fundamental characteristics, advantages, and possible limitations, identifying the best POS solution for your operational needs and growth goals.
Service range and customization options
Toast and Clover are top POS system providers, offering a variety of standard features tailored to different industries. Both platforms allow for efficient sales transactions, accepting credit cards, smartphones, and contactless payments. They also offer customizable receipts and invoices with personalized branding and support for appointment scheduling for service-based businesses like salons.
Despite these similarities, Toast and Clover have distinct differences that set them apart. Toast is designed for the restaurant industry, offering features like menu management and tailored analytics. On the other hand, Clover is more adaptable, catering to various business types with extensive hardware options and a broad app market for customization.
Ease of use and integration
Toast and Clover have easy-to-use interfaces and significant integration. Both systems include intuitive user interfaces and mobile app features, making them accessible and efficient for varied organizations. They allow users to manage their POS systems remotely, providing flexibility and convenience. Toast’s interface is streamlined for restaurant workflows, while Clover may need to be customized for different kinds of businesses due to their broad emphasis.
Clover's app market provides a diverse selection of third-party applications, which allows for greater customization and flexibility in terms of integration. Conversely, Toast does not list third-party integrations but advertises a unified system.
Security and compliance
The two POS service providers prioritize security and compliance by protecting sensitive transaction data with end-to-end encryption and complying with PCI DSS. They provide multi-factor authentication and regular software updates to patch potential vulnerabilities. Additionally, both systems offer integrations with payroll services to enable businesses to manage employee wages, taxes, and benefits accurately, ensuring adherence to employment regulations and reducing the risk of penalties.
Despite their commonalities, Toast and Clover differ in their approaches to security and compliance. Toast, tailored for restaurants, offers features like advanced inventory management, customized staff permissions for data access, and strong compliance support. Clover provides a versatile POS system for various businesses, featuring a secure marketplace that rigorously evaluates each app. Both companies apply basic security measures but customize them for their specific industries, offering distinct advantages to their users.
Pricing
Toast offers various plans to meet different needs. The Quick Start Bundle is free per month but requires payment for hardware and implementation. The Core plan costs $69 per month and supports more than two terminals, with additional add-ons available. The Growth Plan is $165 per month and includes online ordering and the Toast TakeOut app. The New Restaurant Special is $110 per month plus $4 per employee. Established businesses can opt for the Build Your Own plan with custom pricing. All plans include software and hardware fees and a transaction fee for payment processing, starting at 2.3% plus 10 cents per transaction.
Clover provides three main plans: Starter, Standard, and Advanced. Pricing varies based on business type, with options for full-service restaurants. Clover allows for hardware, software, accessory, and payment processing customization. Payment processing fees start at 2.3% plus 10 cents per transaction, and Clover's hardware must be used with their partner credit card processors.
Conclusion
Toast and Clover are leading POS system providers, offering standard features tailored to different industries. Both systems handle sales transactions, accept credit cards, and provide customization options for receipts and invoices. Additionally, they both support appointment scheduling for service-based businesses such as salons.
However, Toast primarily serves the restaurant industry, offering menu management and specialized analytics. On the other hand, Clover is more versatile, catering to a wider range of businesses with extensive hardware options and an extensive app market for system customization.
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