With seemingly endless options for point-of-sale (POS) hardware and software, it can feel like cleaning a messy room—where should you start? While this task may seem daunting, Stax is here to help share what you need to know about various popular POS systems. This post explores the various Clover card readers, including features, pricing, and merchant ratings.
TL;DR
- There are a variety of Clover card readers, ranging from pocket-sized mobile readers to all-in-one payment terminals.
- Clover product pricing depends on your business type and size, which will determine the hardware’s pricing.
- Many customers state the ease of use and the well-functioning mobile checkout experience as positive aspects of Clover terminals.
Features of Clover Point of Sale Systems
Based in California, Clover Network, Inc, is owned by First Data and Fiserv and is the largest cloud-based point-of-sale company in the U.S. Clover offers a variety of options for mobile and fixed payment terminals—whether looking for a simple on-the-go card reader or a dual-screen all-in-one POS system.
Payments on the go with Clover Go and Clover Flex
At the most mobile end of the spectrum, the Clover Go reader fits in the palm of your hand and Bluetooth pairs with iPhone or Android smartphones to easily accept credit and debit cards as well as mobile wallets such as Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Google Pay, and Android Pay. This allows merchants to process payments using the Clover Go app easily. The Clover Go has an estimated battery life of 160 dip or swipe, or 130 contactless transactions per charge.
The Clover Flex is a handheld mobile device that works especially well in restaurant and retail environments and accepts EMV chip cards, swiped cards, and near-field communication (NFC) contactless payments. This Clover device features a 5” color touchscreen and is a sleek option for a mobile point-of-sale.
All-in-one payments with Clover Mini, Clover Solo and Duo
The Clover Mini is slightly larger than the Flex and features a 7” touch screen, and is meant to serve as a fixed POS system. The Mini operates with either an LTE cellular connection or a WiFi connection and is a sleek option for businesses.
The Clover Station Solo and Duo are similar options for a larger POS with more capabilities, such as a receipt printer and the ability to connect with a cash drawer. Both feature a 14” screen, and the Duo also includes a 7” customer-facing touchscreen.
Stax is pleased to offer our customers several Clover device options to choose from, including the Flex, Mini, Solo and Duo, with our payment processing capabilities.
Process EMV chip cards, contactless, and cardless payments with one card reader
No matter the Clover POS system you choose, all easily handle mobile wallet, debit and credit card payments. One of the top considerations many merchants have is compatibility with their devices. Clover terminals are compatible with Android and Apple devices with the Clover app. Merchants simply need to download the Clover Go app and set up a merchant account with a payment processor.
Secure payment processing
All Clover devices are PCI compliant and are compatible with Apple iOS version 10.0 and higher and Android 4.4 and higher (and it’s always a good idea to keep your iOS up to date to stay secure and compliant). Windows phones are not supported by Clover at this time.
For merchants seeking an additional layer of protection, Clover also offers Clover Security Plus, which features data protection, rapid PCI compliance, security scores and additional customer support for an added cost.
Reporting and analytics
Like many payment processing companies, Clover also offers reporting and analytics. Depending on your payment processor choice, the dashboards will offer slightly different functionality and user experience, but the analytics and information are similar across platforms.
Clover Credit Card Reader Pricing Options
Let’s address the elephant in the room—how much does this all cost? The answer is a bit murky since it depends on where you purchase Clover devices and what payment processor you choose.
If purchased directly from Clover, the Clover Go is $49, and if using their software, there is an additional charge of $14.95 per month.
The Clover Flex mobile card reader has three pricing options, including Starter, Standard and Advanced, with monthly pricing of $35, $50, and $80 for hardware and software, respectively.
Similarly, the Clover Mini has the same options at $45, $60 and $90 per month for hardware and software for the Starter, Standard and Advanced packages.
The Clover Solo is available for $120 per month, including hardware and software, for the Retail and Services plan. For the Full-Service Dining package, the cost is $150 per month for hardware and software.
The Clover Duo is $130 monthly for hardware and software for both the Retail and Services and the Quick-Service Dining packages.
The bottom line with Clover product pricing is that the best point-of-sale terminal for you depends on your business type and size, which will determine the hardware’s pricing. Bear in mind that this is only the cost of the payment terminal and software, and credit card processing fees will vary depending on the card brand and payment processor fee structure.
Stax operates with a subscription-based model starting at $99 per month and does not add a processor markup to the processing fees. In addition, Stax connects with leading credit card terminals—including Clover devices—which means you can use Clover’s sleek terminals while still having access to more merchant-friendly rates.
Merchant Ratings for Clover POS Systems
Overall, ratings for Clover devices average 3.9 stars on Capterra and 3.8 stars on G2. Many customers state the ease of use and the well-functioning mobile checkout experience as positive aspects of Clover terminals. Clover terminals are also customizable, and merchants can add options for digital receipts, tipping, and accepting gift cards.
Common themes that lower the rating and are seen as a limitation include lackluster customer support and the frequent need to reboot due to freezes and software glitches. Clover devices are also only equipped to handle card and mobile wallet transactions unless you have the Clover Solo or Duo, which can be equipped with a cash drawer. Finally, their pricing is a bit opaque, and users report surprise fees such as minimum usage and termination charges.
Compared to competitors, Clover POS terminals rank a bit lower than some top options, including Square. Depending on your business, Clover has some tough competition in the restaurant industry, where several alternatives rank well over four stars.
Clover terminals are geared towards retail and restaurants primarily. However, mobile solutions are also excellent for home and field professional services, allowing merchants to accept payment from anywhere. In short, Clover is best for small- to medium-sized businesses and offers several terminals to suit your business needs.
Final Words
Clover terminals are a solid option for businesses, especially those in the retail and restaurant industry. Stax is pleased to offer Clover terminals alongside our top-notch payment processing platform.
If your business is considering a Clover card reader, our advice is to research the fees thoroughly to ensure you’re not being overcharged by the payment processor or the device manufacturer.Ready to learn how Stax can support your business with the best in payment processing technology? Reach out to learn more.
