Clover vs Square
Square scores higher overall (81 vs 69), but the right choice depends on your size and card mix. The best starting point in payments — unbeatable free tooling and effortless setup, at a flat rate you will eventually outgrow.
Updated 2026-08-07Clover
All-in-one POS hardware with app market flexibility
69/ 100
2.7Merchant Score
- Pricing
- 2.9
- Features
- 4.1
- Ease of use
- 3.9
- Customer support
- 3.0
- User reviews
- 3.2
- Pricing model
- Flat rate, plan-tiered
- Headline rate
- 2.6% + $0.10
- Monthly fee
- $14.95/mo
- Contract
- Varies by reseller — read carefully
- Payouts
- 1-3 business days
- Hardware
- Station $1,699, Flex $599
Strong fit for
- Restaurants and retail wanting premium countertop hardware
- Merchants buying direct from Clover
- Businesses wanting app-market flexibility
Square
Flat-rate simplicity with free POS software
81/ 100
4.4Merchant Score
- Pricing
- 3.5
- Features
- 4.5
- Ease of use
- 4.8
- Customer support
- 3.3
- User reviews
- 4.0
- Pricing model
- Flat rate
- Headline rate
- 3.3% + $0.30 online · 2.6% + $0.15 in person
- Monthly fee
- None
- Contract
- None — month to month
- Payouts
- 1-2 business days
- Hardware
- Reader free, terminal $299
Strong fit for
- New businesses taking their first card payment
- Sellers under ~$10k/month who value predictability
- Pop-ups, markets, and mobile sellers
Which one is cheaper for your business?
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