Best Clover Point of Sale Competitors and Alternatives (2024)

Why Consumers Switch From Clover or Choose Clover Competitors

Moving away from a point-of-sale (POS) system that you’re already familiar with and comfortable using can be a big move — especially when sales tracking and payment acceptance are key to running a restaurant. But for both new and experienced restaurant owners, moving to a POS system that better suits your needs is a long-term investment in the future of your business. 

Clover is a POS system for various types of businesses like eCommerce stores, physical store locations, and restaurants. With an all-in-one approach to point-of-sale, Clover creates software and hardware that enables businesses to accept major forms of payment like credit cards and PayPal, run reports as needed, and sync with third-party apps for further functionality. And while reviews mostly skew positive or neutral for Clover, users are unhappy with the lack o customer service and having to pay a monthly fee. Factors like these are contributing to restaurant owners switching to other POS system options like Toast. 

As a current Clover user (or a restaurant owner on the hunt for your first POS system), you might be wondering what alternatives are out there that can provide you with a robust POS system that suits your needs and fills in the gaps where Clover may be lacking. Understanding what Clover competitors can offer will help you confidently determine who to choose and when to make the switch.

Most Common Reasons Why Users Switch From Clover

Across third party reviews sites, these reasons are cited as the most common issues by Clover users and should be understood for consumers considering Clover alternatives.

Monthly fees and charges can be costly

Many find that the monthly fees can be a hassle. Former Clover user Reginna says in her GetApp review, “Having to pay a monthly fee is what made me quit using it altogether. I’d rather just pay a fee per card than paying to use it per month.”

Another user on Capterra adds, “You do not get a choice in your credit card processor. For us, we happen to already use this processor and have a great deal set up with them, but others will likely end up paying more than expected when they get their credit card processing bill. There are several charges for having this type of system that they neglect to tell you about, so it ends up much more expensive than you expect.”

Limited transaction capabilities

Clover user Sarah mentions that the transaction capabilities aren’t the best for busy areas like bars in her review on G2, “Not user friendly for bars or making tabs. It is great for one time transactions, single use.”

Lack of certain functions like ordering and clocking out

Reviewers seem to be disgruntled by Clover’s ordering accessibility. One G2 review from a user in the food and beverages space mentions, “I dislike the fact that if you have an open order on the system, it does not allow you to clock out. If a customer says they want three items and you add three to the transaction, but they change their mind and only want one, you cannot delete an item without a manager code and you cannot clock out until this order is deleted.”

These reviews reflect how Clover lacks support and functionality in important areas that affect restaurant and bar efficacy. Fortunately, other POS systems excel in these areas. Clover’s top competitor, Toast, is a restaurant-first platform that is flexible to all your needs — including transparent pricing, robust reporting, and more.

Best Clover Alternatives According to Third Party Reviews

When searching for the best Clover alternatives, it’s important to use impartial, unbiased data. Reading through customer reviews can be a great help, but it’s difficult to accurately evaluate a product based on a few good or bad experiences. 

To aggregate multiple third-party reviews, we’ll turn our search to G2, an industry-leading review site. 

G2 collects real-time data from user reviews, online sources, and social networks to assess various products and vendors. As G2 collects data, its algorithm quickly works to calculate the customer satisfaction and market presence scores. The platform updates in real-time to consistently provide business owners with the most current and accurate information.

What’s great is that G2 presents this data accessibly on its G2 Scoring Grid. The G2 Scoring Grid shows how restaurant POS systems rank in relation to each other. To discover information on each product, users can click on any POS icon on the grid and read hundreds to thousands of real unbiased customer reviews. 

How does the G2 scoring system work?

The G2 Restaurant POS Scoring Grid has two axes. The X-axis measures customer satisfaction and the Y-axis measures market performance.

These two axes create four quadrants in the grid, listed below.

• Top Right: Leaders, Strong satisfaction, strong market presence
• Top Left: Contenders, Weak satisfaction, strong market presence
• Bottom Right: High Performers, Strong satisfaction, weak market presence
• Bottom Left: Niche, Weak satisfaction, weak market presence

All data points on the G2 Scoring Grid are based on the following information:

• Review recency
• Amount of feedback provided in the review
• Attribution (did the reviewer keep their name and company public?)
• Whether the reviewer is a current user of the solution
• Community engagement with the review

Users can alter their grid view based on the following filters: market segments, star rating, pricing options, trending products, and company size. Each filter allows users to compare products used in markets similar to their own.

Which Clover competitor wins?

In G2’s Restaurant POS System category, Toast ranks #1 out of 19 total competitors.

As you can see on the grid above, Toast is the strongest performer in its category. The Toast G2 Reviews page shows that Toast has 198 reviews with an average 4.5/5 star rating.

When customers leave a review, they are asked to detail what they like and dislike about the product. Here is an example Toast review on G2:

About the #1 Rated Clover Competitor: Toast POS

According to G2’s research, Toast POS is the best Clover alternative. Toast is an all-in-one POS platform and software system built specifically for restaurants. 

Because Toast is designed exclusively for restaurant use, it can solve issues unique to businesses in the food and beverage industry. Toast offers online ordering, loyalty programs, website management, email marketing, employee management, and other features that pair with its top-of-the-line hardware options. And, it’s all cloud-based, providing restaurateurs with analytics to help them grow.  

Here’s a list of Toast’s Key Features

• Restaurant-grade hardware that is IP54 spill-proof rated and super durable

• Faster speed of service with quick order and payment processing

• Hardware designed to blend in with restaurant decor

• Cloud-based access that allows restaurant owners and managers to access data anywhere, anytime, and on any device

• Software that is easy to set up and simple to learn

• Open integrations with leading industry partners

• Transparent pricing options and competitive rates on all transactions

• No hidden fees or additional markups

• A single point of contact for payment and point of sale

Additional Toast Features

Tableside Service 

Toast offers handheld technology designed for busy restaurant environments. Their portable devices allow servers to spend more time with guests, accelerate service, and speed through payment processing.

• Order Ready Notifications – Servers immediately receive notifications when their table’s order is ready

• Tableside Payments - Take tap, dip, or swipe EMV and card payments tableside

• Guest Feedback - Collect and respond to guest feedback immediately

Analytics & Reporting

Toast allows restaurant owners and managers to take control of performance with detailed analytics. The cloud-based system provides access to essential reports and sales data from anywhere, on any device.

Menu Management 

Make menu updates from any terminal or a connected smartphone. Servers can view item countdowns in real-time to avoid awkward conversations with customers.

• Cloud-based menu – Access and modify your menu from any device

• Manu countdown – Manage item availability

• A single menu – Menu updates automatically reflect in-house and online

Comparing Clover and Toast

How does Clover compare to Toast, the #1 rated competitor on the G2 scoring grid based on restaurant POS features? Let’s dive into the details.

Both Clover and Toast offer online ordering and delivery, contactless payment, and third-party application syncing to expand your restaurant software options. And while Clover is a POS system that supports restaurants, its approach is standardized. Other businesses like retail stores and other professional services can implement Clover. On the other hand, Toast is a restaurant-specific POS, offering features such as tableside service, menu management, and restaurant team training.

When it comes to pricing, Clover can vary. Each POS device has a different price attached with transaction fees and monthly fees that depend on your individual needs. Prices listed on Clover’s site are also not guaranteed final prices, especially if you buy through a third-party seller. 

Alternatively, Toast’s pricing comes in three different plans — starter, essentials, and custom. Flexible payment options are available. Upfront costs will vary depending on your particular hardware packages and installation needs. 

Toast stands as a strong all-in-one partner for restaurants. Toast features 24/7/365 customer care, on-site onboarding and training for your team, and restaurant POS features that include cloud reporting, table service, employee scheduling, and more. Another Toast feature is its durable restaurant hardware and a reliable Ethernet connection, ensuring your business can carry on at all times. 

Alternatives to Clover for Restaurant Point of Sale

Upserve

Upserve designed its software  for restaurant use. There are customization options for different restaurant types, including bars, breweries, coffee shops, delis, and quick-service restaurants. 

Upserve Pros

• Compatible with Android and iOS devices

• 24/7 customer support

• Built specifically for restaurants

Upserve Cons

• Online ordering and inventory management must be purchased as add-ons

• Users must sign a contract

• Installation and configuration fees start at $1,700
  
  

Lightspeed

Lightspeed is a good option for restaurant owners who already have the hardware. Its software is compatible with iPads, iPhones, and other devices with iOS operating systems. Users can choose to use a third-party payment processor if they wish.

Lightspeed Pros

• Free online training with a specialist

• 24/7 customer support

• Compatible with iOS devices

Lightspeed Cons

• Not compatible with Android devices

• Annual contacts must be signed to receive lower prices

• Many features are only available as add-ons.
  
  

TouchBistro

TouchBistro is a local-cloud hybrid, which means it is installed in the restaurant and sends data to the cloud. This POS system is a good option for on-the-go or mobile restaurants, including food trucks, catering companies, and delis.

TouchBistro Pros

• 24/7 customer support

• Software is designed specifically for restaurants

• Allows real-time menu changes and updates

TouchBistro Cons

• No offline ordering

• No 100% cloud-based option
  
  

SpotOn

SpotOn is a full-service POS system with features that support various types of restaurants, bars, cafes, coffee shops, and more. 

SpotOn Pros

• 24/7 customer support

• Easy-to-use systems

• Advanced data reporting

SpotOn Cons

• Users report being charged unexpected fees

• Prices are more expensive for users who don’t use SpotOn payment processing

Using SpotOn hardware is required

How to Switch from Clover

There are plenty of reasons why you might search for Clover competitors. No matter your reason for switching, you deserve to find a POS system that perfectly matches your restaurant’s needs and budget. 

Looking for more support in your POS system search? Use our guide to navigating the top restaurant POS options and find the one that’s right for your business.

Take a look at how Toast and Clover compare as restaurant POS platforms, and which one is the best choice for your restaurant or bar to help you boost sales, improve team productivity and morale, and accelerate your business growth.

Related Restaurant Resources

• Toast Competitors and Alternatives 
• Square Competitors and Alternatives 
• Lightspeed Competitors and Alternatives 
• Revel Systems Competitors and Alternatives