Clover POS vs Square: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Clover POS and Square side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Square leads on higher user rating and lower entry price and a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Clover POS
Take payments on countertop and handheld POS hardware with business-specific plans
Best for you if:
- • You want pricing for each business type is published on the vendor's site
Square
Payment processing and POS systems
Best for you if:
- • You want a free tier before you commit
| At a Glance | Clover POS | Square |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | From $84.95/mo, billed monthly Retail Standard (Retail Growth software plan) plan | Free plan, paid from $49/mo, billed monthly Plus plan |
Category | Payment Processing Restaurant POS | Payment Processing E-commerce |
Rating | 3.8/5 Capterra 3.8 586 reviews | 4.6/5 G2 4.6 1,211 reviews |
Free plan | No | Yes |
Choose Clover POS or Square?
Choose Clover POS if
- You want pricing for each business type is published on the vendor's site
- You want the card-present rate on the retail bundles varies by plan
Choose Square if
- You want a free tier before you commit
- You want easy payment processing
- You want POS hardware
- Budget matters ($49/mo, billed monthly vs $84.95/mo, billed monthly)
In-Depth Analysis
Clover POS
Take payments on countertop and handheld POS hardware with business-specific plans
Strengths
- Pro: Pricing for each business type is published on the vendor's site
- Pro: The card-present rate on the retail bundles varies by plan
- Pro: Hardware ranges from a compact terminal with a 3.6-inch screen to a 14-inch Station Duo with an 8-inch customer display and a handheld Flex
- Pro: Troubleshooting support is offered 24/7/365
Weaknesses
- Con: Hardware is bought or financed as part of the bundle, so total cost depends on the devices
- Con: Keyed-in card payments are charged a published rate on the retail bundles
- Con: Accounts are subject to approval, including credit approval
- Con: The advertised hardware promotion requires a 3-year contract
Key features
Square
Payment processing and POS systems
Square's pricing is generally fair, especially for small businesses.
Strengths
- Pro: Easy payment processing
- Pro: POS hardware
- Pro: Good for small business
- Pro: Fair pricing
- Pro: Many features
Weaknesses
- Con: Account holds possible
- Con: Not for high-risk
- Con: International limited
- Con: Support varies
- Con: Fees add up
Key features
Plans and prices: Clover POS vs Square
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Clover POS |
| clover.com/pricing/retail read Oct 21, 2026 |
| Square |
| squareup.com/pricing read Sep 29, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Clover POS pricing and Square pricing.
Key Takeaways
Clover POS
- Choose if you want take payments on countertop and handheld POS hardware with business-specific plans
Square
- Higher user rating: 4.6/5 vs 3.8/5
- Lower entry price: $49/mo, billed monthly vs $84.95/mo, billed monthly
- Has a free plan
What the data shows
On the data below, Square leads on higher user rating and lower entry price and a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- Square has the higher user rating (3.8/5 from 586 reviews for Clover POS, 4.6/5 from 1,211 reviews for Square).
- Square has the lower entry price: $49/mo, billed monthly (Plus) against $84.95/mo, billed monthly (Retail Standard (Retail Growth software plan)) for Clover POS.
- Only Square has a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Clover POS and Square compare in 2026?
On the data below, Square leads on higher user rating and lower entry price and a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. Square has the higher user rating (3.8/5 from 586 reviews for Clover POS, 4.6/5 from 1,211 reviews for Square). Square has the lower entry price: $49/mo, billed monthly (Plus) against $84.95/mo, billed monthly (Retail Standard (Retail Growth software plan)) for Clover POS. Only Square has a free plan.
What are Clover POS and Square used for?
Clover POS: Take payments on countertop and handheld POS hardware with business-specific plans. Square: Payment processing and POS systems.
What does Clover POS cost vs Square?
Clover POS's cheapest paid plan is Retail Standard (Retail Growth software plan) at $84.95/mo, billed monthly. Square's cheapest paid plan is Plus at $49/mo, billed monthly; it also has a free plan. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 21, 2026.
What's the main difference between Clover POS and Square?
Clover POS's main strength: pricing for each business type is published on the vendor's site. Square's main strength: easy payment processing.