We're independent and don't sell any of these systems directly. Pricing changes often; confirm current pricing with each company before deciding.
How do Square, Clover and Toast compare at a glance?
| Square | Clover | Toast | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Small retail, services, quick-service, mobile | Retail and restaurants wanting flexible hardware | Restaurants (full and quick service) |
| Processing model | Flat-rate | Varies by seller: flat-rate or interchange-plus | Flat-rate or custom quotes |
| Can you use another processor? | No | Depends on who sold it; often locked to that processor | No |
| Contracts | None | Varies by reseller; some have multi-year terms | Often multi-year agreements |
| Free software tier | Yes | Limited / plan-based | Starter options with conditions |
| Hardware | Purchase; readers to registers | Purchase or lease through seller | Purchase or bundled pricing |
| Offline mode | Yes (with limits) | Yes (with limits) | Yes |
What is Square best for?
Square is the default choice for many new businesses because you can sign up in minutes, get a free reader, and start accepting cards the same day. Its free POS app covers basic item libraries, inventory, receipts and reporting, with paid add-ons for restaurants, retail and appointments.
Strengths
- No monthly fee to start and no long-term contract.
- Predictable flat-rate processing.
- Broad ecosystem: online store, invoices, payroll, appointments, loyalty.
- Good hardware range, from mobile readers to full registers.
Watch-outs
- Flat-rate processing gets expensive as volume grows; there's typically no interchange-plus option for smaller merchants without negotiating.
- Aggregator model: account holds can happen if risk systems flag activity.
- Hardware works only with Square processing.
What is Clover best for?
Clover is a POS platform owned by Fiserv and sold through Fiserv, many banks and independent resellers. Hardware ranges from handhelds to dual-screen stations, and the Clover App Market adds features such as loyalty, scheduling and inventory.
Strengths
- Polished hardware and a large app marketplace.
- Works for retail, restaurants and services.
- Can be bought with interchange-plus pricing from some resellers.
Watch-outs
- Pricing, contracts and support vary dramatically depending on who sold it to you.
- Some sales include equipment leases that cost far more than buying the hardware outright.
- Devices are usually tied to the processor that sold them and can be hard to move.
What is Toast best for?
Toast is built only for restaurants. It covers table service, online ordering, kitchen displays, handhelds, payroll, and guest marketing in one system, and is popular with full-service and multi-location restaurants.
Strengths
- Deep restaurant features: coursing, modifiers, kitchen routing, handheld ordering.
- Integrated online ordering and delivery management.
- Durable restaurant-grade hardware.
Watch-outs
- Processing is required through Toast.
- Contracts are often multi-year, with fees for early termination.
- Software and add-on costs can grow as you add modules.
How do the costs compare for a typical business?
Total cost of ownership = processing + software subscriptions + hardware + add-ons. Take a hypothetical restaurant processing $60,000 a month:
- A 0.3 percentage-point difference in effective rate equals about $180 a month, or $2,160 a year.
- A $69 versus $165 monthly software plan adds or saves $1,152 a year.
- Leasing $1,500 of hardware at $79 a month for 48 months costs $3,792.
That's why comparing the full package matters more than comparing headline rates. Estimate your processing cost with our savings calculator.
Are there alternatives to Square, Clover and Toast?
Yes. Processor-agnostic POS systems (Lightspeed, SpotOn, Revel and others) and independent merchant accounts paired with terminals can offer interchange-plus pricing and more flexibility. For restaurants, other specialized POS platforms compete directly with Toast. A provider comparison can surface options you might not find on your own.
Which should I choose?
- Just starting, low volume, want no contract: Square is hard to beat for simplicity.
- Retail or restaurant wanting premium hardware and possibly interchange-plus: Clover, bought on clear terms with hardware purchased, not leased.
- Full-service or multi-location restaurant: Toast, or a comparable restaurant POS. Negotiate processing and contract length.
- Processing over $30k a month on any of them: get competing quotes. Your volume gives you leverage.
Can I switch away from my current POS?
Switching usually means new hardware if your POS is processor-locked. Before switching, check your contract for early termination fees, export your item and customer data, and plan a cutover date during a slow period. Some providers will help with hardware costs or termination fees for qualified businesses. Ask about it when you request quotes.
See also: restaurant processing, retail processing and pricing models explained.