Clover vs Preferred Patron Loyalty

PayPal

Stripe

Square Point of Sale

PayPal provides an end-to-end suite of tools that can integrate with a business's existing systems and service providers. Its network of shoppers and businesses provides AI-driven data insights to help businesses reach new customers and drive results.

Stripe is a financial infrastructure platform that enables businesses to accept payments online and in person. It offers a suite of APIs for payment processing, subscription management, fraud prevention, and financial services integration Stripe provides both developer-focused tools with extensive documentation and no-code solutions for businesses without technical staff.

Square Point of Sale is a POS solution for Android and iOS devices which includes tools for managing payments, digital receipts, inventory, reports, and more.

Owner

After 2 1/2 months of the issue not being resolved, horrendous communication and terrible customer service, I asked to return the device and a refund (I had not used the product once as I felt uncomfortable with the surcharge fee).

They downloaded an app not requested onto my account, they started charging me several hundred dollars each month, refused to try to refund, impossible to get through to the right department to correct, still charging me after I have cancelled all of my account and sold the equipment.

owner

I own six businesses and deal with many service providers every year.

We were advised that we were 2 weeks out of our warranty expiration!

Clover is an all-in-one platform designed to help on and offline retailers, quick service restaurants, and other service businesses manage their point-of-sale operations, with secure payment solutions and reliable business management features

Access Controls/Permissions

Accounting

ACH Payment Processing

Activity Dashboard

Appointment Management

Barcode Recognition

Barcode/Ticket Scanning

Billing & Invoicing

Cash Management

Commission Management

Contact Management

Credit Card Processing

Customer Accounts

Customizable Reports

Data Security

Delivery Management

Discount Management

eCommerce Management

Electronic Payments

Electronic Signature

Employee Management

For Bars/Clubs

For Food Trucks

For iPad Devices

For Liquor Stores

For Restaurants

For Retail

For Salons and Spas

Gift Card Management

Inventory Control

Inventory Management

Item Management

Loyalty Program

Mobile Access

Multi-Location

Online Ordering

Order Management

Partial Payments

Payment Processing

Point of Sale (POS)

Point of Sale (POS) Integration

Pricing Management

Product Catalog

Real-Time Reporting

Receipt Management

Reporting/Analytics

Reporting & Statistics

Restaurant POS

Retail Inventory Management

Retail Management

Retail POS

Returns Management

Returns Tracking

Sales Reports

Sales Tax Management

Scheduling

Separate Checks

Shopping Cart

SMS Marketing

Split Checks

Table Management

Third-Party Integrations

Tips Management

Touch Screen

Transaction History

Transaction Monitoring

Website Integration

Some users report that Clover offers good value with affordable hardware, flexible pricing, and useful low-cost apps. However, reviewers feel that added fees, proprietary hardware, and hidden costs make the system increasingly expensive and sometimes overpriced.

Value for money

By industry, Clover reviewers are most commonly professionals in retail (15%). The most frequent use case for Clover cited by reviewers is payment processing (54% of reviewers).

Clover

Web-based

Windows

iPad

Android

iPhone

Linux

Toast POS

Square Payments

Aloha Cloud

Shopify POS

Venmo

Square for Retail

Shopify

GlossGenius

Mindbody

Booker

authorize.net

Lightspeed Retail

Basic

Unexpected and recurrent charges

Cancelled my contract without me asking then charge my bank $500 for early cancellation

We were being over charged by them and when we addressed the issue, they stopped depositing our transactions.

89% of reviewers feel negative about Clover’s charges. Reviewers indicate that they encounter unexpected fees for services, equipment replacements, and compliance issues. Some users report being double-charged or billed for services they do not use, and they find it difficult to resolve these issues with support. They mention frustration with recurring charges, such as monthly or early termination fees, and note that the cost often exceeds initial expectations. Users feel that the lack of transparency around charges leads to distrust and financial strain.

Frequent connectivity and sync problems

System is unreliable as they always have intermittent server issues.

Tasting Rooms Directory

I've had to plug in ethernet cables every week because they Wifi is not compatible, and have had to reset admin profiles due to shut out.

82% of reviewers feel negative about Clover’s connectivity. Some users report regular issues with WiFi compatibility, dropped internet connections, and slow system performance. They mention having to reboot devices or switch to wired connections to maintain functionality. Reviewers also highlight synchronization problems with third-party plugins and difficulties with Bluetooth connections. These connectivity challenges disrupt business operations and create additional work for staff, leading to dissatisfaction with the system’s reliability.

Unreliable phone support experience

Constantly told they are working on it and will call us back, but you will never receive a call back.  

88% of reviewers feel negative about Clover’s phone support. Reviewers say it is difficult to reach knowledgeable representatives, often experiencing long wait times, repeated call transfers, and inconsistent answers. Some users report that calls are not returned, cases are closed without resolution, and follow-up is lacking. They feel that support staff are unhelpful and that issues frequently remain unresolved after multiple contacts. This leads to significant frustration, especially when urgent assistance is needed for system problems or billing concerns.

High and hidden fee structure

Could not afford the monthly billing fees which I was not forewarned about so got an NSF notice from my bank and was sent to collections.  

They sent me a new Clover system on top of the one already had, so they tried to charge me double monthly subscription fees.  

80% of reviewers feel negative about Clover’s fees. Reviewers complain about numerous and often undisclosed fees, including processing, maintenance, app, and early termination charges. They say the cost of using the system is much higher than anticipated, with frequent rate changes and unexpected deductions from their accounts. Some users feel misled by unclear pricing and leasing terms, and they struggle to understand or manage the various charges. This lack of transparency and the cumulative expense are major sources of frustration.

Widespread user dissatisfaction

96% of reviewers feel negative about their overall experience with Clover. Some users report persistent frustration and disappointment, describing the system as unreliable and difficult to work with. They mention that their expectations were not met and that the product failed to deliver on promised benefits. Reviewers indicate that negative experiences span from initial setup to daily use, leading to regret over choosing the system. They feel the company’s practices and support contribute to a generally poor impression, with many wishing they had selected a different provider.

Minimal training required

Office Manager

Also love that it is easy to train new staff members on how to process payments and do end of the day reporting.

Operations Manager

The POS tablets are very easy to use and train new staff on their operation.  

86% of reviewers feel positive about Clover’s training and learning curve. Reviewers appreciate that new employees can learn the system quickly, often within a day or two, due to its intuitive design. They say training is straightforward, regardless of staff age or experience, and the system’s organization helps make onboarding easy. Some users mention features like training modes and self-explanatory interfaces, which further reduce the need for extensive instruction. They find this especially valuable for businesses with frequent staff turnover.

Effortless system navigation

87% of reviewers feel positive about Clover’s navigation. Reviewers find the interface clear and self-explanatory, allowing them to access features and information quickly. They say dashboards and menus are easy to read and manage, even for users with little technical background. Some users report that managing multiple locations or accounts is straightforward, and the online portal is simple to use. They value the ability to switch between apps and features without confusion, which helps streamline daily operations and improves overall efficiency.

Quick and hassle-free setup

Practice Manager

Very easy to set up as well for someone with limited technology experience.

94% of reviewers feel positive about Clover’s setup process. Reviewers indicate that installation is fast and uncomplicated, often completed in under an hour. They appreciate the clear instructions and say even those with limited technical experience can set up the system with ease. Some users mention that configuring menus and devices is straightforward, and the plug-and-play nature means minimal downtime. They value being able to get started quickly and highlight that the initial implementation and ongoing maintenance are both simple and efficient.

Versatile mobile device experience

Administrative supervisor 

Clover is easy to use and we have the device you can unplug it and walk to a consult room and it still works.  

Lead ABA Therapist

This product is very sleek looking and I love that I am able to access it from my phone.

88% of reviewers feel positive about Clover’s mobile device options. Users think the touchscreen devices are modern, intuitive, and easy to use, comparing them to smartphones or tablets. They appreciate the portability, which allows staff to process transactions anywhere in the business, and mention that the devices are visually appealing and available in multiple sizes. Some reviewers find the mobile app and dashboard accessible from their phones, making business management flexible and convenient. They also note that the wireless design improves efficiency and customer service.

Intuitive and simple operation

Office Administrator

It is easy to use and you can find apps for most things might need.

Engineer

Clover is an easy to use platform for both the costumer and company.

96% of reviewers feel positive about Clover’s ease of use. Reviewers appreciate that the platform is straightforward and user-friendly for both staff and customers, allowing them to quickly find items and complete transactions. They say the interface is well laid out, making daily operations hassle-free and reducing the time needed to train new users. Some users report that switching from previous systems was smooth due to Clover’s simplicity. They find the experience convenient and note that it helps them manage business tasks efficiently without unnecessary complications.

Optician

It keeps everything organized for you and it is quick for payment processing, financial management, sales, and inventory management!

It allows me to keep track of inventory and sales on a daily basis even when im away from the store.

Managing Director

As an event planner, having this option on site has made on site event payments a breeze for clients and guests.

Anything and everything

A duplicate charge caused by clover system during a service outage cannot be refunded—by me or by their support team.

Executive sous chef

It is not intuitive for example when searching for something if spacing or capitalization is off it will not find the item.

Auto repair

To complicated and changes setting without notice . And if you don’t update it can change setting on its own .

Manager

We had to type in the amount of the transaction which would sometimes result in an incorrect amount being charged to the client instead of connecting with our software to pull up the amount automatically.

However they FAILED to finish that sentence (I did not know until 3 days later) that yes, my customer would transfer over into an app that I can see all of them BUT they would not integrate or come up in Clover.   AND all the new customers you get using Clover, will now become Clovers.  

I'm able to use it at any venue, in any weather condition, indoors or outdoors, no matter the occasion!

Hair dressing

I’ve been with clover for 2 years and I sold my business and they told me I either have to refer someone to them or pay the 500$ penalty which I got them a customer and they told me I’m good to cancel without any penalty and apparently that person charged he’s mind and canceled with them and got charged 250$ and they changed their mind and told me I have to pay 500$ so not fair

When making a sale it will apply it to the person that is logged in but sometimes the sale is split and there is no way to put two employees.

I give 1 star because I cant give 0 stars, be carefull with this company, I stopped working with them and paid everything, after 2 years the put me in collection and asking me for a payment I already did, I been with this for 2 years, every time they call me ask me for alot of paperwork and they said that I owe $700 dlls, I proof everything thing and now they get back with this, not happy about this.

Recepcionist

It is a very useful way of getting quick and small amount of money from the payment of our costumers. Before we were using a more convectional way of and it costed a lot and the online payments were always very late to arrive in my account but with Clover it is much easier.

A true lifesaver for a seamless payment process at events large and small.

It takes forever to enter data too unless you have them do it which they charge you for.

I wanna leave a review about you worker NAI or NAY, he was very root on the phone, I asked hen few times for confirmation email, he sad to me he can’t do that and I asked to transfer me to the Menager, also he did ignore me and put me on hold for long time and didn’t come back, terrible customer service and support!!!

It got to be the 6 month mark and their solution was to reset the device.

Overall I like Clover better than other payment processors for value, ease of use, and ability to maintain mobile payments - but know that if you're using them across many stations, you will need early controls!

However, the platform lacks important features compared to its competitors, and I’ve seen multiple clients migrate away from it.

Clients comment all the time how quick and hassle less check out is and our older clients love how visible the screens are.

Having a more digital point of sale helps with the customers as well when completing their sales.

Reports are always missing key details.   If you want a complete system, you will have to purchase many upgrade apps with high monthly fees, just to have the most basic of features.  

The easy and look of the actual system, card reader, customer reader, receipt, and the sale screen was really nice and easy to work with.

I follow their steps and now we have 1 device that works and the rest do not!

pres

bucks for cancelling but i had to switch to another recorded line to give my bank info they already should have had

Events Coordinator

The login only remembers your log in for 2 weeks then you need a code and only gives you one user with a code

Admin

Furthermore using clover is very helpful when it comes to taking payments from small to large businesses, user friendly, cloud based, you can give certain rights to your users.

Head of Product Development

The Clover POS system provides a comprehensive and flexible solution for managing various business operations.

IT Consultant

I like clean and optimized web interface, customer database, invoicing module.

System Admin

Senior Software Engineer

It is at great value for the small businesses to handle sales

I was looking for an up grade in systems BUT my customer had to transfer over to the new POS.  

It processes funds quickly, and is relatively easy to navigate sales through singular machines.

The customers also like this machine, which allows them to use tap/Apple Pay and to manually enter their card information if they do not have their card physically with them

Key Account Manager

Every machine needs to be programmed to one sole processor. If you switch then you have to buy a brand new one.

Founder

Works well as a basic POS platform but does not do what it claims it can do as far as inventory management.

I am a private event planner and Clover has been a game changer!

LLC Member

We use clover because they have the built in technology for cellular signal into there device.  

Clover vs Preferred Patron Loyalty Comparison (2026)

Clover

Preferred Patron Loyalty

Overview

Video & Screenshots

Pricing

User reviews

Key features

Integrations

Alternatives