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Clover review: $0 Starter software, a $199 reader and unstated contract terms
Updated Oct 6, 2026 · scored under rubric v1
Clover suits sellers who want a low in-person rate with no monthly software fee and 24/7 phone support, and are happy to buy a $199 reader. The catch: contract terms and termination fees vary by who sells you Clover, and device subscriptions can't be cancelled.
Clover's entry plan, Starter, has no monthly software fee and charges 2.6% + 10¢ per in-person card sale, about $0.88 on a $30 sale. It needs a Clover device: the Go reader is $199, or the Compact terminal $349 or $16 a month for 36 months. Clover doesn't publish Starter's contract term or termination fee; they vary by the provider selling it.
What it does well
- $0 monthly software fee on Starter.
- 2.6% + 10¢ per in-person card sale.
- 24/7 phone support on every plan.
- Offline payments when you turn the option on.
Where it falls short
- Contract terms and termination fees aren't published; they vary by provider.
- 36-month device subscriptions are non-cancelable.
- No inventory, online store or loyalty on Starter.
- The cheapest reader is $199.
What Clover costs
| Plan | Monthly software fee | In-person card rate | Hardware |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | $0 | 2.6% + 10¢ | Go reader $199, or Compact $349 ($16 a month for 36 months) |
| Essentials | $29.95 | 2.5% + 10¢ | same devices |
| Retail Growth | $84.95 | 2.3% + 10¢ | Station Duo $1,899 ($180 a month for 36 months) |
| Restaurant Growth | $89.95 | 2.3% + 10¢ | Station Solo $1,799 ($179 a month for 36 months) |
Prices from its Go pricing page, read Sep 27, 2026. Growth plans are on its retail and restaurant pricing pages.
At 2.6% + 10¢, a $30 in-person sale costs about $0.88 in fees on Starter.
Over time
Total = monthly price × 12 × years, or yearly price × years, or a one-time price once. Only current plan prices; fees are listed separately. Taxes, add-ons and promotional prices are not included.
Current prices
| Plan | Price | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Starter No monthly software fee; 2.6% + 10¢ in person, 3.5% + 10¢ keyed. Needs a Clover device: Go reader $199, or Compact $349 or $16 a month for 36 months. Basic sales reports and employee profiles; inventory, customer database and loyalty not included (Go page). | $0 per month | Sep 27, 2026 |
| Essentials Plus hardware; 2.5% + 10¢ in person; items and stock tracking, detailed reports, customer database, loyalty and gift cards. | $29.95 per month | Sep 27, 2026 |
| Retail Growth Retail Standard system: Station Duo $1,899 (or $180 a month for 36 months) plus $84.95 a month; 2.3% + 10¢ in person. | $84.95 per month | Sep 27, 2026 |
| Services Growth Professional services plan (hardware sold separately through sales); appointments, online booking. | $84.95 per month | Sep 27, 2026 |
| Restaurant Growth Full-service Starter system: Station Solo $1,799 (or $179 a month for 36 months) plus $89.95 a month; 2.3% + 10¢ in person; table mapping, bill splitting, online ordering. | $89.95 per month | Sep 27, 2026 |
Fees and other costs
| Cost | Kind | Amount | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compact terminal subscription $16 a month for 36 months, or $349 outright; the FAQ says subscriptions are non-cancelable. | Fee | $16 per month | Sep 27, 2026 |
| Kitchen Display System 14-inch $799 or 24-inch $899, plus $25 a month per device. | Fee | $25 per month | Sep 27, 2026 |
| Clover Go card reader The cheapest Clover device; works with the Starter or Essentials plan. | Fee | $199 one-time | Sep 27, 2026 |
| Keyed-in card payments 3.5% + 10¢ when card details are typed in, every plan. | Fee | See price on clover.com | Sep 27, 2026 |
| Rapid Deposit Optional: 1.75% of the amount for funds within minutes of a card sale. | Fee | See price on clover.com | Sep 27, 2026 |
What you get on Starter
- Card payments by tap, swipe or chip at 2.6% + 10¢, and keyed-in cards at 3.5% + 10¢.
- Basic sales reports and employee profiles.
- Offline payments: Clover devices "can still accept payments if you turn on the Offline Payments option" (payments page).
Not on Starter: item and stock tracking, and the customer database and loyalty (all Included on Essentials). A new online store is an optional add-on.
Catches and fine print
- Contract terms aren't published. Clover's pricing FAQ says "Contract terms and any termination fees can vary based on your service provider". Clover is also sold by banks whose terms differ. Get them in writing before you sign.
- No fee in the terms either. Clover's terms state no termination fee, but they don't cover what a bank or partner may charge.
- Device subscriptions lock you in. The FAQ says 36-month device subscriptions are "non-cancelable and ineligible for refunds".
- Pages that disagree. The Go pricing table shows the customer database Not Included on Starter, while the retail page shows it Included; and the retail page shows shift management Not Included on Starter, while the Go table includes employee shifts. In both cases we use the worse reading, not included.
- Offers. Essentials has no software fee for 90 days for qualified new merchants, valid through 12/31/2026. A $450 hardware statement credit for online buyers requires a 3-year contract and $10,000 in card sales within four billing cycles, and expires December 31, 2026.
- Extras. Rapid Deposit costs 1.75% for funds within minutes. A kitchen display is $799 (14-inch) or $899 (24-inch) plus $25 a month per device (shop).
Support
Clover promises "24/7 expert phone support", and its Go and Compact pages add "All of our plans come with 24/7 support." No chat channel is stated.
Who it suits
Clover suits shops and service businesses that want a low in-person rate with no monthly software fee and a phone line any time. Look elsewhere if you need inventory or loyalty on the free plan, or published contract terms. Restaurants need Restaurant Growth for table mapping and bill splitting, so Clover isn't on our restaurant list. Compare it in our POS ranking.
Alternatives in POS systems
| Alternative | Score | Best for | Visit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Square POS | 8.9/10Very goodOur score | A $0-a-month plan at 2.6% + 15¢ in person, no contract, and a free first magstripe reader No affiliate relationship | Visit Square POSOn squareup.com |
| Shopify POS | 8.2/10Very goodOur score | Shops that also sell online: in-person sales on the $29-a-month Basic plan, cancel anytime No affiliate relationship | Visit Shopify POSOn shopify.com |
| Toast | 6.4/10FairOur score | Restaurants: $0 Starter Kit hardware and software at 3.09% + 15¢, on a 2-year agreement No affiliate relationship | Visit ToastOn pos.toasttab.com |