We sell Clover, so start there. This comparison is built to be checked against Square’s and Clover’s own pricing pages, and it says where Square is the better choice, because a business that picks the wrong system on our advice is a business that does not refer anyone.
Side by side, September 2026
| Square | Clover direct (clover.com) | Clover through a dealer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-person processing | 2.6% plus a per-item fee of 10¢ to 15¢ | 2.3% + 10¢ (2.6% + 10¢ on Essentials) | Dual pricing: $0 to merchant. Or interchange-plus. |
| Online processing | 2.9% + 30¢ | 3.5% + 10¢ | Interchange-plus, typically 2.2% to 2.5% all-in |
| Keyed | 3.5% + 15¢ | 3.5% + 10¢ | Interchange-plus |
| Software | Free basic; Plus tiers from $29 a month per location | $14.95 to $89.95 a month by industry; payments-only $0 | Same Clover plans |
| Hardware | Free magstripe reader; Reader $59; Terminal $299; Register $799; Stand $149 | Go $49 to $199; Compact; Flex $699 to $749; Mini $849; Station Solo $1,799; Duo $1,899 | Placed at no charge for qualifying merchants, or purchased |
| Contract | None | No long-term processing contract | Month to month with us; varies by dealer |
| Account type | Aggregator sub-account under Square | Merchant account via Fiserv | Underwritten merchant account |
| Apps | Square’s own suite plus integrations | App Market, hundreds of apps, many with monthly fees | Same |
| Support | Online, phone with plan | Clover phone and chat | Dealer first; in person in San Diego and LA with us |
| Offline payments | Yes | Flex and Mini | Flex and Mini |
Prices are from Square and Clover pricing pages and 2026 reviews; both change them periodically.
Where Square wins
- Under about $5,000 a month. The free reader and free software make it nearly costless to start, and the processing difference at that volume is small.
- Speed. An account in ten minutes with no salesperson.
- One vendor for everything. Square Appointments, Invoices, Online, Payroll, Loans, all in one login. Businesses that want an all-in-one and are fine paying Square’s rate for it get real value.
- Very small or very new businesses that do not yet know their volume.
Where Clover wins
- Dual pricing. The whole argument. A cafe doing $22,000 a month pays Square about $600 a month in processing. On Clover through us with dual pricing it pays $0. Over a year that is more than the price of every piece of Clover hardware on the counter. Square does not offer dual pricing or cash discount programs; it offers surcharging, which does not apply to debit and is restricted in California.
- Hardware for real counters. Station Duo’s two screens, built-in printer, cash drawer and barcode scanner; Flex for pay at table; Kiosk for self-order. Square’s Register and Terminal are capable but the lineup is thinner for full-service restaurants and bigger retail.
- An underwritten merchant account. Square holds funds and closes accounts after the fact when its models flag a business. A merchant account underwritten to you has that conversation up front.
- Interchange-plus for merchants who do not want two prices. Square is flat-rate only.
- A person. Through a dealer, someone who knows your setup answers the phone.
The risks, both sides
Clover through a dealer. The dealer contract. Leases, three-year auto-renewing agreements, teaser rates, junk fees. Clover’s hardware is excellent and Clover’s own terms are fair; a bad dealer is what gives Clover a bad name. The eight questions to ask are on Clover reseller vs direct.
Square. The aggregator model. Fast growth, a spike in refunds, a category Square dislikes, and funds are held for 90 days or the account is closed, with no underwriter to call. Businesses that have been through it do not go back.
Worked example: a 60-seat restaurant
$60,000 a month in cards, 1,600 transactions.
| Square for Restaurants Plus | Clover direct, Table Service | Clover through us, dual pricing | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software | $69 a month per location (Plus) | $89.95 | $89.95 |
| Hardware | Register $799 plus Terminals $299 each; about $1,700 for a comparable setup | Duo $1,899 plus two Flex about $1,500 | $0 placement |
| Processing per month | About $1,560 + $240 = $1,800 | $1,380 + $160 = $1,540 | $0 |
| Annual processing | About $21,600 | About $18,500 | $0 |
The card price on dual pricing covers what the merchant otherwise pays. Guests see both prices and choose. The mechanics and the guest experience are on dual pricing on Clover.
The decision
Under $5,000 a month, or you want to be live today with no conversation: Square. Above that, with a counter, a restaurant or a real retail floor: Clover through a dealer with month-to-month terms and dual pricing, and read the contract. Multi-location restaurant group with an IT person: read Clover vs Toast next.