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Square and Clover are two of the most popular point-of-sale systems for small businesses — but they work very differently. Square is built for simplicity: no monthly fees, no contracts, start accepting payments in minutes. Clover is built for power: more hardware options, industry-specific features, and potentially lower per-transaction rates — but at the cost of contracts, complexity, and higher upfront spend.
This guide breaks down the real 2026 pricing for both, compares them side by side, and tells you exactly which one makes sense for your business type.
Want to see what you’d actually pay? Try our free fee calculator or compare all processors side by side.
Square vs Clover: Quick Comparison (2026)
| Feature | Square | Clover |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | $0 – $149/mo | $14.95 – $84.95/mo |
| In-person rate (entry) | 2.6% + $0.15 | 2.3% – 2.6% + $0.10 |
| Online rate (entry) | 3.3% + $0.30 | 3.5% + $0.10 |
| Keyed-in rate | 3.5% + $0.15 | 3.5% + $0.10 |
| Contracts | None | Varies by seller (often 36 mo.) |
| Chargeback fees | $0 | $20 – $50 |
| Free plan | Yes (full POS features) | No (basic payments only) |
| Hardware cost (entry) | $0 (free reader) | $49 (Clover Go) |
| Hardware cost (full POS) | $149 – $799 | $649 – $1,899 |
| Best for | Startups, online sellers, low-volume | Restaurants, retail at higher volume |
Square Pricing in 2026
Square overhauled its pricing in October 2025, consolidating all business types into three unified tiers. The old system — where restaurants paid one price and retail paid another — is gone. See the full breakdown on Square’s official pricing page.
| Plan | Monthly Fee | In-Person Rate | Online Rate | Keyed Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 2.6% + $0.15 | 3.3% + $0.30 | 3.5% + $0.15 |
| Plus | $49/mo per location | 2.5% + $0.15 | 2.9% + $0.30 | 3.5% + $0.15 |
| Premium | $149/mo per location | 2.4% + $0.15 | 2.9% + $0.30 | 3.5% + $0.15 |
Important 2026 update: Square raised its Free plan online rate from 2.9% + $0.30 to 3.3% + $0.30 effective January 13, 2026 — a 14% increase. If you sell online on Square’s Free plan, you’re paying significantly more than last year.
Square Hardware Costs
- Square Reader (contactless + chip): $59
- Square Stand (iPad POS): $149
- Square Terminal: $299
- Square Register: $799
Square gives you the first magstripe reader free. No contracts, cancel anytime.
What Square Does Well
- No monthly fee on the Free plan — pay per transaction only
- $0 chargeback fees — major advantage for dispute-prone businesses
- No contracts — quit anytime with no penalty
- Easy setup — start accepting payments in minutes
- Free POS software includes inventory, sales reports, and team management
Where Square Falls Short
- Online rates on Free plan (3.3% + $0.30) are now among the highest in the industry
- Account holds and sudden freezes are a known issue for some merchants
- Limited phone support on the Free plan
- Flat-rate pricing becomes expensive above ~$10,000/month vs interchange-plus alternatives
Clover Pricing in 2026
Clover’s pricing is more complex because it bundles hardware, software, and processing together — and is sold through thousands of independent resellers who set their own terms. The rates below are for direct purchases from Clover’s official website.
Clover Processing Fees
| Transaction Type | Rate |
|---|---|
| In-person (restaurant) | 2.3% + $0.10 |
| In-person (retail/services) | 2.5% – 2.6% + $0.10 |
| Online / card not present | 3.5% + $0.10 |
| Keyed-in | 3.5% + $0.10 |
Clover Software Plans
| Plan | Monthly Fee | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Payments (basic) | $0 | Payment processing only, no POS features |
| Essentials | $14.95/mo | Simple businesses, basic reporting |
| Register | $49.95/mo | Retail, inventory management |
| Counter Service Restaurant | $54.95/mo | Quick-service restaurants |
| Table Service Restaurant | $84.95/mo | Full-service restaurants, table management |
Clover Hardware Costs
- Clover Go (mobile reader): $49 – $199
- Clover Flex (handheld POS): $649 or ~$40/mo
- Clover Mini (compact countertop): $849 or ~$45/mo
- Clover Station Solo (full POS): $1,799 or ~$174/mo
- Clover Station Duo (with customer screen): $1,899 or ~$180/mo
Warning on leasing: Some Clover resellers push hardware leases. A Clover Station that costs $1,800 to buy outright can cost $4,000–$6,000 over a 48-month lease — and you usually cannot cancel even if you close your business. Always buy outright.
What Clover Does Well
- Lower in-person rates for restaurants (2.3% + $0.10 vs Square’s 2.6% + $0.15)
- Industry-specific features: table management, kitchen display, floor plans
- Large app marketplace for custom add-ons
- Sleek, durable hardware built for busy environments
- Custom interchange-plus rates available for high-volume merchants
Where Clover Falls Short
- 36-month contracts are common through resellers — early termination fees of $500+ apply
- Chargeback fees of $20–$50 per dispute (Square charges $0)
- No true free plan with POS features
- Online rates (3.5% + $0.10) are higher than Square’s Plus plan
- Reseller pricing varies wildly — some charge 4–5% effective rates
- Hidden fees for PCI compliance (~$9.95/mo), statements, and app add-ons
Real Cost Comparison
Retail Business — $20,000/month in-person sales
| Square Free | Square Plus | Clover Register | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly software fee | $0 | $49 | $49.95 |
| Processing fees | ~$530 | ~$515 | ~$510 |
| Total monthly cost | ~$530 | ~$564 | ~$560 |
| Contract required | No | No | Often (36 mo. via resellers) |
At $20,000/month retail volume, costs are nearly identical. Clover’s lower transaction rate is offset by its monthly fee and contract risk. Square wins on flexibility.
Restaurant — $30,000/month in-person sales
| Square Plus | Clover Table Service | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly software fee | $49 | $84.95 |
| Processing fees | ~$765 | ~$700 |
| Total monthly cost | ~$814 | ~$785 |
| Contract required | No | Often (36 mo. via resellers) |
At higher restaurant volumes, Clover’s lower rate makes a real difference — and its Table Service plan includes features like table mapping and course firing that Square doesn’t fully match. Clover wins here if you’re comfortable with the contract.
Who Should Choose Square?
- Just starting out and want zero upfront cost
- Want no contracts and maximum flexibility
- Sell primarily online or run an e-commerce business
- Process under $10,000/month and don’t want monthly fees
- Run a service business, food truck, or mobile operation
- Operate in a dispute-prone industry ($0 chargeback fees)
Who Should Choose Clover?
- Run a full-service restaurant with table management needs
- Process over $20,000/month in-person and want lower per-transaction rates
- Need advanced POS features like kitchen display or floor plan management
- Comfortable with a 36-month commitment and can negotiate contract terms
- Want interchange-plus pricing for maximum savings (some Clover resellers offer this)
Consider These Alternatives Too
- Selling primarily online? Stripe or PayPal have better online rates than both.
- Want transparent interchange-plus pricing? Helcim offers this with no monthly fee — often cheaper than both Square and Clover above $5,000/month.
- Not sure what you’d pay? Use our free payment fee calculator to compare all processors side by side.
Helcim offers interchange-plus pricing with no monthly fees and no contracts — and often beats both above $5,000/month.
See Helcim’s Rates →
Frequently Asked Questions: Square vs Clover
Is Square or Clover cheaper?
It depends on your volume and business type. For businesses processing under $10,000/month, Square’s Free plan is typically cheaper — no monthly fee, simple flat-rate pricing. At higher volumes (especially restaurants), Clover’s lower in-person rate (2.3% + $0.10 vs Square’s 2.6% + $0.15) can offset its monthly fees. Use our fee calculator at payclarify.com/calculator to run the numbers for your specific volume.
Does Clover require a contract?
Yes. Many Clover plans sold through resellers or banks require a 36-month contract when hardware is bundled; Clover says contract terms vary by provider. Early termination fees are typically equal to the remaining contract balance — often $500–$2,000+. Square has no contracts and you can cancel anytime.
Can I use Square or Clover for online payments?
Both support online payments, but Square is better for e-commerce. Square’s Plus plan charges 2.9% + $0.30 online. Clover charges 3.5% + $0.10 for online and card-not-present transactions — significantly more expensive for online sellers.
Which has better restaurant features — Square or Clover?
Clover has stronger restaurant-specific features, including table management, course firing, bar tabs, and kitchen display integration on its Table Service plan ($84.95/mo). Square’s restaurant tools are solid but less comprehensive for full-service dining. For quick-service or food trucks, Square is easier and cheaper.
Does Square or Clover charge chargeback fees?
Square charges $0 for chargebacks — a significant advantage. Clover charges $20–$50 per dispute depending on your reseller. If your business has frequent disputes, this alone can save hundreds of dollars per year.
Which is better for a small retail store — Square or Clover?
For most small retail stores, Square is the better starting point — no monthly fee, no contracts, and free POS software with inventory management included. Clover becomes worth considering once you’re processing over $20,000/month and need more advanced reporting or hardware options.
Bottom Line
When comparing Square vs Clover, Square wins on simplicity, flexibility, and zero-commitment pricing. It’s the right choice for most small businesses starting out, online sellers, and anyone who wants to avoid contracts. Clover wins on in-person rates and restaurant features at higher volumes — but only if you negotiate a fair contract and buy hardware outright.
Before committing to either, compare both against what you’d pay with an interchange-plus processor like Helcim, which often beats both for businesses processing over $5,000/month. Use our free payment fee calculator to see your exact costs side by side.
Sources and corrections
Fees in this article are taken from each provider’s official pricing page:
Standard card processing rates for Square, Stripe, PayPal, Helcim were last checked against these official pages on September 30, 2026. For Clover, confirm current rates and contract terms on the official page, as pricing can vary by plan and seller. Fees can change at any time and your actual cost depends on your plan, card mix and contract. Spotted an outdated fee? Email contact@payclarify.com and we will correct it. See how we research.
