Clover vs Square: Which Is Best for Small Grocery Stores?

Clover and Square are considered two of the top retail point of sale (POS) systems on the market. They offer powerful features, reports, and customization, making it easier than ever to run your grocery store.

But which POS is best for your small grocery store?

In the battle between Clover vs. Square, there are many features to consider: hardware, pricing, mobility, integrations, and more. In this blog, we lay out a comparison of the two popular POS systems and explain how they’ll help you run your store. 

Overview of Clover and Square

Before diving into the features, let’s take a brief moment to examine an overview of each solution. 

Both Clover and Square are popular retail point of sale systems used in a variety of businesses and industries. Let’s dive into the details of each, their business model, their key features, and more. 

Brief History of Clover

Clover was founded in 2010 and quickly made a name for itself in the payments and POS industry. Known for its reliability and customizability, Clover is a popular choice for businesses of all types.

Who it’s for: Clover is ideal for small to medium-sized businesses that need a flexible, all-in-one POS system. For grocery stores, Clover offers powerful inventory control features, customer loyalty programs, and detailed reporting tools that help streamline operations.

Features grocery store owners would enjoy:

• Inventory management: Track inventory in real time, making it easier to manage stock and avoid overstocking.
• Business reporting: Get detailed reports on sales, profits, and customer data.
• Customer loyalty programs: Build and manage rewards programs directly through your POS.
• Revenue tracking and rapid deposit: Get quick access to your funds with Rapid Deposit, making cash flow more predictable.
  
  

Brief History of Square

Square was founded in 2009 with a mission to make payment processing accessible to everyone. Over time, Square has evolved into a comprehensive POS system known for its ease of use and scalability, offering a range of tools for small businesses.

Who it’s for: Square is great for small businesses, especially those just starting out. It’s perfect for grocery stores that need an easy-to-use POS with the flexibility to grow with you.

Features grocery store owners would enjoy:

• Multiple hardware options: Square’s hardware is modular, which means you can start with a basic setup and add more devices as you grow.
• Employee and payroll management: Keep track of employee hours and run payroll through Square.
• Email marketing and digital gift cards: Engage your customers with promotions and send digital gift cards through the system.
• Inventory management: Track stock levels, set low stock alerts, and generate reports on inventory turnover.

Now that you have a better understanding of each POS, let’s compare their core features. 

Clover vs. Square: Core Feature Comparison

* Users can manage employees with Clover, but they cannot run payroll

Clover vs. Square: Cost Comparison

When choosing a grocery store POS, you have to consider the startup fees and ongoing maintenance or leasing fees. 

Clover starts at $14.95/month plus hardware. Clover transaction costs are 2.3% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions for most plans. 

Hardware costs:

• $49 for chip, swipe, and contactless Clover Go card reader
• $279 for countertop card reader 
• $599 for Clover Flex mobile POS with printer
• $799 for Clover Mini POS
• $1,699 for Clover Station Solo
• $1,799 for Clover Station Duo

Square starts off free with no monthly fees. Transaction costs are 2.6% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions. 

Hardware costs:

• $0 for Square magstripe-only card reader ($10 for each additional reader)
• $49 and up for Square Reader contactless and chip card reader
• $149 for Square Stand iPad POS or Square Stand Mount (iPad not included)
• $299 for Square Terminal mobile card reader with built-in printer 
• $799 for Square Register two-screen system 

Now that you have a better idea of features and costs, let’s dive into the pros and cons of each system.

Related read: Competitive Comparison: POS Nation for Retail vs Square 

Clover vs. Square: Pros and Cons

Clover Pros

⭐ Flat rates for in-person payment processing

⭐ Reliable, well-made hardware

⭐ Comes with simple and easy reporting

⭐ Guided setup

Clover Cons

⛔ No free options

⛔ Complicated pricing

⛔ Monthly payments are required, with no option to purchase the system outright

⛔ All integrations and advanced features require an additional monthly cost 

⛔ Supports basic inventory control, but everything must be tracked manually

Square Pros

⭐ Free plan option

⭐ Offers related services, like payroll

⭐ No long-term contracts or termination fees

⭐ All plans include a free online store for e-commerce

⭐ Plug-and-play software that works with both Android and iOS

Square Cons

⛔ Not geared toward a specific industry

⛔ Won’t run on Windows

⛔ Extra monthly cost for all add-on features

⛔ Requires you to use its system to process payments

⛔ Customer service is only available during regular business hours

Related read: Cash Register Express vs. Clover POS 

Alternative to Clover and Square

If you’re looking for an alternative to Clover or Square, consider POS Nation. Thousands of small businesses nationwide trust POS Nation’s fully customizable system because it is catered specifically to their needs.

Here’s why retailers are choosing POS Nation.

• No hidden fees: No surprise charges or monthly fees — what you see is what you get.
• 24/7 customer support: We’re here when you need us, no matter what.
• No long-term contracts: This gives you the flexibility to grow your business without being tied down.
• Better credit card processing rates: Save on transaction fees compared to Clover and Square.
• Works with all hardware: Unlike Clover, POS Nation isn’t restricted to proprietary hardware, offering more flexibility.
• Tailored for grocers: POS Nation is specifically designed to meet the needs of grocery store owners with features like inventory management, barcode scanning, and employee management.

POS Nation is built to serve your specific needs, so there is no out-of-the-box set price. Use our build and price tool to find a solution that fits your grocery store needs.

Scale Your Store With a POS System Built With Grocers in Mind

When it comes to the question of which is better — Clover vs Square — the answer is that it depends on your needs, but also, there are better alternatives. While both Clover and Square offer great features, POS Nation provides the specialized tools and flexible pricing grocery stores need to succeed. 

Whether you’re just getting started or looking to upgrade your POS system, POS Nation offers everything you need to streamline your operations, manage inventory, and give your customers the experience they deserve.

Want to see how POS Nation can work for your store? Schedule a demo today.