Quick answer
Clover pricing has three parts: a monthly software plan such as Essentials at $29.95/mo, a card processing fee on every sale of 2.6% + 10¢ in person on the Starter plan, and hardware from $199 for the Go reader. Cards typed in on Clover's retail plans cost 3.5% + 10¢. On a $30 in-person card sale, Clover's Starter rate comes to $0.88.
Nation, an AI store builder, publishes this page. It is pre-launch, with a waitlist on withnation.ai, so it is not in the fee comparison. See where Nation fits.
What Clover costs: the three parts of the price
Clover pricing is made of three separate costs. You pay for hardware once or over a monthly term, you pay a software plan every month, and you pay a processing fee on each card payment. Clover publishes all three on its own site when you buy directly from Clover.
Clover describes its processing rates as a percentage of the amount charged, and a flat fee per charge. So every card sale pays a percentage plus a small flat amount, and the percentage depends on the plan and on how the card is taken.
The table lists the prices Clover publishes for a US business buying direct.
Clover plans and what the monthly fee pays for
Clover plans bundle the software subscription with a processing rate. The Starter plan is sold with the Go card reader for $199 upfront and comes with a card rate of 2.6% + 10¢ per in-person transaction. Essentials costs $29.95/mo for the software, on top of the Go reader, and lowers the card rate to 2.5% + 10¢.
Retail businesses see a separate set of plans on Clover's retail pricing page. The growth plan costs $84.95/mo for the software, on top of the hardware bundle you choose.
Clover offers eligible new merchants a 90-day trial on the Essentials or Services Growth plan. Clover says there are no SaaS subscription fees during the 90-day trial. Once the trial ends, Clover says standard Essentials or Services Growth plans monthly fees apply.
Clover processing fees and transaction fees
Clover processing fees are charged on every card payment. In person, where the card is tapped, dipped or swiped, the rate is 2.6% + 10¢ on Starter and 2.5% + 10¢ on Essentials. Clover says merchants can pay as little as 2.3% + 10¢ per transaction on some plans.
When the card is not present, Clover charges a slightly higher “typed-in” fee. On the retail pricing page, a card typed in costs 3.5% + 10¢ on all three retail bundles. Payments through the Virtual Terminal are charged at the keyed-in rate.
If you want card sales sent to your bank account sooner than the standard deposit, Clover charges 1.75% on the amount you choose to transfer early.
How to work out Clover's fee on one $30 sale
Example: one $30 sale paid by a tapped card at the counter on the Starter plan, with no tip, no tax and standard deposit timing.
Find your rate
On Starter the in-person rate is 2.6% + 10¢. On Essentials it is 2.5% + 10¢.
Take the percentage
Multiply the sale by the percentage part of the rate.
Add the flat fee
Add the flat per-transaction amount from the same rate.
Total the fee
The fee on this $30 sale comes to $0.88. If the card had been typed in, the rate would be 3.5% + 10¢ instead.
Clover card fees compared with Square
The same $30 in-person card sale on Clover and on Square, using each company's own published in-person rate on its entry plan.
- Clover Starter baseline $0.88 Go reader $199 Card 2.6% + 10¢ $0.88
- Square $0.93 free plan Card 2.6% + 15¢ $0.93
Assumes a $30 sale, a card tapped or dipped in person, no tip, no tax and standard deposits. Clover uses the Starter rate; Square uses the rate on Square Free.
Clover hardware cost: device prices from Clover's shop
Most Clover devices can be bought outright or paid monthly over a 36 months term. The prices below are the ones Clover's own shop lists for a US business buying direct. In Clover's words: Prices shown are only available on Clover.com.
A monthly hardware subscription covers the device only. Clover's pricing FAQ states: Payment processing fees are not included and will be priced separately. It also states: Subscriptions are non-cancelable and ineligible for refunds. So a monthly plan commits you for the full term.
Paying monthly spreads the cost, but over the full term it adds up to more than the upfront price. When the term ends, Clover says that if you take no action, your subscription term will be extended at the same monthly charge.
What changes when you buy Clover through a bank
Clover is sold in two ways: directly on Clover.com, and through banks and other partners. Clover states that it is sold by financial institutions such as Citi, PNC, and Wells Fargo. The price and the contract can differ between the two.
Clover's published prices cover the direct channel only. In Clover's words: Prices shown are only available on Clover.com. A bank or partner gives its own quote. On contracts, Clover says Contract terms and any termination fees can vary based on your service provider.
Clover groups its plans as Starter, Standard, and Advanced, and notes that Fees vary depending on your business type. Compare any quote with the direct prices line by line: card rate, monthly software fee, hardware cost and contract length.
- Ask for the in-person and typed-in card rates in writing, and compare them with Clover's direct rates of 2.6% + 10¢ and 3.5% + 10¢.
- Ask whether the hardware is bought, leased or on a subscription, and for how long.
- Ask about termination fees before you sign. Clover says these depend on the provider.
- Know that Clover devices are tied to Clover processing: they cannot be used with other payment processors.
Where Nation fits
Nation
Category: an AI store builder
Nation says one description of what you make builds the store, then agents handle orders, customers and delivery and run ads, content and social posts, with you approving the work. Because pricing is not announced yet, it is not in the fee comparison.
Limits today
- Status: pre-launch, with a waitlist on withnation.ai.
- Pricing and fees: not announced yet.
- Shopper marketplace: no shopper marketplace has been announced.
- Track record: no independent reviews or public stores yet.
Nation publishes this page. Nation is not in the fee comparison until signup is public and pricing is published.
Describe what you makeQuestions about Clover pricing
How much does Clover cost per month?
Clover costs $29.95/mo a month for the Essentials software plan, and retail businesses on the growth plan pay $84.95/mo. Hardware is extra, paid upfront or monthly over 36 months. Every card sale also pays a processing fee, which is 2.6% + 10¢ in person on the Starter plan.
What are Clover's processing fees?
Clover's processing fees are a percentage of each sale plus a flat amount. In-person cards cost 2.6% + 10¢ on Starter and 2.5% + 10¢ on Essentials, with rates as low as 2.3% + 10¢ on some plans. Cards typed in on the retail plans cost 3.5% + 10¢.
Does Clover charge transaction fees on every sale?
Clover charges a transaction fee on every card sale. The fee is a percentage of the amount charged, and a flat fee per charge. In person it is 2.6% + 10¢ on Starter, and typed-in cards on the retail plans cost 3.5% + 10¢. Early access to your money through instant payout adds 1.75% on the amount you transfer.
Is there a free trial of Clover?
Clover offers a 90-day trial to eligible new merchants on the Essentials or Services Growth plan. Clover says there are no SaaS subscription fees during the 90-day trial. After it ends, standard Essentials or Services Growth plans monthly fees apply. The trial waives the software fee, so check hardware and card rates separately before you sign up.
Is Clover cheaper through a bank or direct?
Clover pricing through a bank can differ from buying direct, because Prices shown are only available on Clover.com. Banks such as Citi, PNC, and Wells Fargo set their own rates, fees and contracts, and Clover says Contract terms and any termination fees can vary based on your service provider. Get a written quote and compare it line by line with Clover's direct prices.
Can I use Clover hardware with another processor?
Clover hardware works only with Clover processing. Clover states that its devices may be bought or leased from other sellers, but they cannot be used with other payment processors. If you switch payment processor later, you would need new hardware, so check the contract and hardware terms before you buy a Clover device.