Choosing the right point-of-sale (POS) system is crucial for your business’s success. Whether you’re running a coffee shop, full-service restaurant, or retail store, your POS software directly affects order speed, payment processing, inventory, and customer experience.
Two of the biggest names in the POS world today are Clover and Toast. Both offer robust solutions, but they cater to slightly different needs. In this guide, we’ll compare Clover vs Toast in terms of features, pricing, ease of use, integrations, and more to help you choose the best system for your business.
Quick Overview: Clover vs Toast
| Feature | Clover | Toast |
| Best For | Retail & small restaurants | Full-service restaurants & QSRs |
| Hardware | Android-based devices | Android-based, proprietary hardware |
| Monthly Cost | Starts at $14.95/mo (Basic POS) | Starts at $0/mo (Processing required) |
| Payment Processing | Fiserv (required) | Toast Payments (required) |
| Offline Mode | Yes | Yes |
| Loyalty Programs | Available via add-on | Built-in loyalty features |
| Customer Support | 24/7 live support | 24/7 live support |
Clover POS: Best for Retail + Quick-Service Flexibility
Strengths:
- Wide hardware variety (Clover Flex, Mini, Station)
- Suitable for both retail and restaurants
- Intuitive interface for fast onboarding
- Flexible app market with 300+ integrations
- Multiple pricing tiers for various business sizes
Limitations:
- Locked into Fiserv for payment processing
- Some features require 3rd-party apps or paid upgrades
- Customization can be complex for restaurants
Popular Use Cases:
- Coffee shops
- Boutiques
- Food trucks
- Small fast-casual spots
Toast POS: Best for Restaurants and Hospitality
Strengths:
- Built specifically for restaurants
- Menu management and kitchen display system (KDS)
- Tableside ordering and tipping tools
- Powerful reporting and multi-location tools
- Online ordering, delivery, and loyalty included
Limitations:
- Toast requires its proprietary hardware
- Higher upfront hardware costs
- Only works with Toast Payment processing
- Some plans may require multi-year contracts
Popular Use Cases:
- Full-service restaurants
- Quick-service restaurants (QSRs)
- Bars and nightclubs
- Pizzerias and delis
Clover vs Toast: In-Depth Feature Comparison
Payment Processing
- Clover: Tied to Fiserv, which can offer competitive but inflexible rates.
- Toast: Uses Toast Payments. Processing fees range from 2.49% + 15¢ (customizable on volume).
Winner: Tie – Both require use of their in-house processor, so compare rates carefully.
Hardware Options
| Clover Options | Toast Options |
| Clover Station, Flex, Mini | Toast Flex, Toast Go, Toast Display |
| Built-in receipt printer | Built-in printer, card reader, handheld POS |
| Third-party add-ons supported | Requires Toast-branded hardware |
Winner: Clover – Offers more flexibility and third-party hardware compatibility.
Restaurant Features
- Toast dominates in menu management, kitchen routing, and employee shift tools.
- Clover handles simple restaurant needs but lacks advanced food service features.
Winner: Toast – Better built for full-scale restaurant operations.
Retail & Inventory Management
- Clover includes barcode scanning, stock tracking, and customer sales history.
- Toast focuses less on retail, though it can support light retail setups.
Winner: Clover – More advanced retail inventory and SKU features.
Online Ordering & Delivery
- Toast: Built-in tools for online orders, delivery integration, and contactless payments.
- Clover: Offers online ordering, but often requires 3rd-party apps.
Winner: Toast – Seamless online ordering experience with fewer plugins.
Reporting & Analytics
Both systems offer:
- Real-time sales dashboards
- Shift tracking and tip pooling
- Revenue reports by category or item
Winner: Tie – Both provide comprehensive reporting tools.
Pricing Comparison
| Tier | Clover | Toast |
| Entry-Level | $14.95/mo (Starter) | $0/mo (Pay-as-you-go with processing) |
| Advanced Plan | $39.95–$99.95+/mo | $69–$165+/mo depending on add-ons |
| Hardware | Starts at $599 | Starts at $799 |
Winner: Depends – Clover is more flexible for budget users; Toast includes more built-in tools for restaurants.
Pros and Cons Summary
Clover Pros:
- Flexible for retail and quick-service
- Broad hardware ecosystem
- App marketplace offers customization
Clover Cons:
- Locked into Fiserv
- Restaurant features limited without add-ons
Toast Pros:
- Best-in-class for food service
- Built-in KDS, loyalty, and online ordering
- Excellent customer service
Toast Cons:
- Requires Toast hardware and payment system
- Can get expensive with add-ons
Which Should You Choose?
| Business Type | Best POS Choice |
| Coffee shop or food truck | Clover |
| Full-service restaurant | Toast |
| Boutique or retail store | Clover |
| Bar with table service | Toast |
| Hybrid retail + food | Clover |
| Multi-location restaurant | Toast |
Conclusion
When comparing Clover vs Toast, the right choice depends entirely on your business type and priorities.
- Choose Clover if you run a retail shop, café, or multi-purpose store that needs POS flexibility.
- Choose Toast if you own a restaurant, bar, or quick-service kitchen that needs specialized features for menus, staff, and online ordering.
For retail: Go with Clover.
For restaurants: Go with Toast.
FAQs
1. Can Toast be used for retail?
Toast is optimized for restaurants, but it can support light retail in hybrid businesses.
2. Is Clover or Toast more affordable?
Clover may have lower upfront costs, but Toast offers more built-in tools, especially for restaurants.
3. Does Toast require a contract?
Yes, many Toast plans come with 2–3 year contracts, especially when subsidized hardware is included.
4. Can I use my own payment processor with Clover?
No. Clover is tied to Fiserv, their exclusive processing partner.
5. Which POS is better for food trucks?
Clover Flex or Toast Go are both mobile-friendly options. Choose based on your processing and feature needs.
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