Clover POS & Card Processing Review, Features & Pricing [2023]
Article by Chris Costi, Last update at September 10, 2023
Originally Clover started out in 2010 as a tablet based POS system. In 2012 it merged with First Data Corporation and has been the company’s point of sale system since then. All Clover POS products which include the Clover Mobile and the Clover Go are cloud based and the system will come attached to a merchant account. The Clover Station and related products are easy to install and easy to use.
- Retail
- eCommerce
- EMV Reader
- Mobile Friendly
- Mobile Payments
Key Features
Easy to set up and easy to use
- All Clover products are ready to use straight out of the box, with only a few easy pieces that need to be assembled.
Complete Sales Platform
- The Clover Station is a complete sales platform that comes with a basic POS system with a cash register, bar code scanner, terminal and printer.
App Store
- The Clover App Store has apps for all types of features that you would find with a fully-fledged POS system. Most of these apps are free with some costing a small fee.
Inventory and Reports
- The Inventory and Reports app needs to be downloaded. In order to get accurate reports and inventory, all details of your items or ingredients have to be filled in.
Pricing
Clover now offers a free Clover Mini and many other discounts on other systems. Clover also offers a free trial if you want to test the equipment and software before you purchase. Hardware bundles are available for all plans and the price will depend on which hardware you decide to purchase. Clover is compatible with most systems which makes their product very flexible and easy to use.
Things To Note
Clover is a POS system with a merchant account that accepts all types of credit cards, EMV chips and contactless payments, safely and securely. This attractive and easy to use hardware has the accompanying apps for all your POS needs. The large touchscreen is easy to read and the software comes with apps that you can use to adapt the software to accommodate almost every type of business.
In A Nutshell
The Clover system includes terminal, scanner register and printer. As the primary POS solution offered by First Data, Clover has a huge advantage when it comes to sales. Regardless of which First Data reseller you buy from, you will need a First Data merchant account in order to run this POS system. You can also integrate Clover POS systems with useful 3rd party applications.
Clover Offers 5 Types Of Products
The Clover Suite covers all the basic requirements for a point of sale system. This suite is suitable for small to medium sized businesses by getting Clover you will also benefit from their customer engagement portal. With Clover you will have access to more than 200 free and paid applications. Clover provides different options and their full range of products covers all areas of business management.
- Clover Station
The Clover Station is the company’s most productive all-inclusive business management POS system and it offers a complete set of features that you would expect from a good POS system. This powerful countertop POS system will help you track inventory, run reports, manage employees and print from a connectivity hub. This is a compact swiveling station that is modern and attractive.
- Clover Flex
You will find a few additions to the Clover hardware that are currently available, one of them is the Clover Flex. This is a compact ultra-portable terminal that you can take to your customers. It delivers what its name says, ultra-flexibility as you can use it to dip, swipe or tap a card. The Clover Flex can be used as a scanner and a receipt printer. If you want to track your sales or see detailed reports you can access these online or on their mobile iOS and Android App. As your business grows you can add apps to keep track of your employees and customers. It is amazing that you can run a full POS system from this small device and also take payments. The built in camera and barcode scanner are particularly impressive and convenient for inventory control. You can use the Flex with any Clover products, and receive payments directly from your customers wherever they are.
- Clover Mini
You can also use the Clover Mini, which is especially appealing for small businesses. This is a compact countertop POS that you can upgrade when needed. This Mini version is great if you do not have a lot of space because it takes no space at all on you worktop. It is fully configured when you purchase it and ready to plug in and start taking all types of payments. If you are looking for a basic terminal with options, the Clover Mini can be adapted to accept POS components as needed.
You can customize your Clover Mini and add features including accounting packages, inventory control and marketing tools like gift cards. The Clover Mini can be added to any POS system to accept all types of payments including PIN based debit and credit transaction and NFC payments. There are 4 USB ports which on the Clover Mini which will allow you to add all your POS components.
- Clover Mobile
Then we have the Clover Mobile which is perfect for businesses on the go like food trucks and festivals or anywhere were mobility and speed are important. You can pair the Clover Mobile with the Clover Station or the Clover Mini if what you are looking for is a complete countertop and mobile POS system. If you intend to take your business on the road the Clover Mobile is the ideal payment terminal to take with you. The Clover Mobile can also be upgraded with extra apps to take your POS capabilities to the level that suits you and your business.
- Clover Go
The Clover Go is a small compact device that you can use to get reports, monitor sales activity and more. It pairs with your smartphone through Bluetooth with makes it fully compatible with the new iPhone X. You can create custom taxes and gratuity for your employees and also control with passwords who can see all the information. With this clever little device you can even email receipts to your customers.
When you buy the Clover Station, the POS will come with basic functions. You will however have a choice of Apps to add on which are available from the Clover App Marketplace. You will have the ability to build up the POS you need for your type of business. The apps available can help you manage inventory, create and view reports, monitor sales, manage your employees and create a customer base for loyalty cards and rewards. Most of the Apps are free or can be purchased for a small fee.
Clover Credit Card Processing & POS Best Features
- Easy to set up and easy to use
All Clover products are ready to use straight out of the box, with only a few easy pieces that need to be assembled. They are delivered configured with a pre-loaded menu and ready to take payments quickly, securely and reliably.
- Complete Sales Platform
The Clover Station is a complete sales platform that comes with a basic POS system which includes a cash register, terminal and printer. On its own the POS system is pretty basic, but you can add apps from the Clover App Marketplace which will give all the features you need to manage your business.
- Inventory and Reports
The Inventory and Reports app needs to be downloaded. In order to get accurate reports and inventory, all details of your items or ingredients have to be filled in. These apps are used in conjunction with the built in bar code scanner so that you can add and deduct your inventory in real time.
- Versatility with Payments
Clover products are set to take swipe payments as well as dip and EMV tap cards. You can collect payment from any debit or credit cards, EMF chip or NFC like Apple Pay. The fact that you can accept payments wherever you work takes you, is another advantage.
- Take Offline Payments
Problems with the internet will not interfere with your ability to take payments. The Clover system has a wireless 3G capability which lets you take payments anywhere at any time.
- Automatic Updates
The Clover Station updates automatically to all your Clover devices. As long as you are connected to the internet your updates will be done regularly.
- Data Security
Clover and First Data boast security from the moment your card is accepted and processed. Your client’s data is protected while Clover maintains PCI compliance wizard with the latest technology and encryption.
- Customer Service and Support
Clover offers 24/7 customer support for technical issues with the software and hardware. When it comes to payments and merchant account issues you will have to get help from whichever service provider you originally bought the system from.
