Skip to content
Start here
Browse by category
AI Assistants3Accounting Software3Agency & Funnel Software4B2B Sales Outreach4Business Backup3Business Email & Office3CRM Platforms4Cloud Storage1Customer Support2Design Tools3E-Signature2E-commerce Platforms1Email Marketing1Inventory Management3Knowledge Management1Marketing Automation3POS Systems3Paid Ads Management3Password Managers3Payment Processing1Payroll & HR1Project Management5SEO Software1Sales Intelligence1Scheduling Software1Social Media Management3Team Communication1Time Tracking3Video Conferencing4Website Builders2Workflow Automation2
All categories →
Not sure what you need? Start hereTell us the job and see the software it takes, with verified prices for your team.
Recently verified
Decision brief builderTurn your shortlist into a one-page case for sign-off: verified prices for your team size, requirements and sources.
Recently updated switching guides
All 150 migration guides →
What every guide covers
What transfers, and what doesn’tThe vendor’s own import path, step by step, plus the data you will rebuild by hand. Switching cost estimatorAn adjustable estimate of the hidden labor, cleanup and retraining cost, with its assumptions shown.
Pricing data
Software IndexEvery tool we track in one sortable table: entry price, free plan, AI pricing and source. AI Pricing DatabaseHow each vendor bills its AI features: bundled, add-on, metered or quote.
Original research
The B2B SaaS Sticker Shock IndexCheapest published entry price in 18 categories, ranked.The AI TaxHow 19 AI features are actually billed: bundled, add-on or metered.The Real Cost of a 10-Person Startup StackThree software stacks priced at published entry prices.
Open data
Download the datasetsJSON and CSV under CC BY 4.0. Every value carries its source page and verification date. How we verify pricingThe research method behind every figure on the site.
Security & compliance
Security & compliance databaseSOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA BAAs, and the plan you need for SSO, SCIM and audit logs. How to read security claimsSOC 2 vs ISO 27001, the single sign-on tax, and what “Not published” means.
Where your team works
Offline access databaseWhich tools work without internet, in which app, and what syncs later. Remote vs office guideIP allowlisting, device controls, data residency and office hardware, tool by tool.
Side by side
Security in every comparisonEach head-to-head now compares compliance, sign-in, offline and remote controls. Download the dataJSON and CSV, CC BY 4.0. Every value carries the vendor URL and quote.
POS Systems

Clover vs Shopify POS: Which POS System Fits Your Business in 2026?

Clover bundles counter hardware and software for restaurants and retail, on contracts that vary by seller. Shopify POS extends an online store into physical shops. Here is how the costs and commitments compare.

By Bill Belcamino · Last updated September 19, 2026 · Our methodologyResearched and fact-checked by the HelpCompare team
Clover logoClover Go reader $199; Essentials $29.95/mo (2.5% + 10¢ in person)

Clover

VS
Shopify POS logoIn-person selling included with Shopify from $29/mo (annual); POS Pro $89/location/mo

Shopify POS

Run the cost calculator Compare pricing tiers
Clover vs Shopify POSVerified Sep 19, 2026
Bottom line Editorial assessment

Clover or Shopify POS for a retail or restaurant business?

Choose Clover for restaurants and busy counters that want bundled hardware, 24/7 support and a 2.3% + 10¢ rate on Growth plans, accepting its hardware lock-in; choose Shopify POS for retailers that also sell online and want monthly billing on their own devices.

Quick verdict: Clover suits counter-first businesses, especially restaurants: its Restaurant Growth bundles ($89.95 to $129.85 a month) include table mapping, open tabs and bill splitting, and its Growth plans charge 2.3% + 10¢ in person. But its hardware works only with Clover processing and its 36-month hardware subscriptions are non-cancelable. Shopify POS suits retailers whose online store matters: in-person selling comes with every Shopify plan (from $29 a month on annual billing), POS Pro adds full retail tools for $89 a location, one catalogue covers every channel, and the reader is $49. Shopify POS lists no restaurant features.
Verified data

Clover vs Shopify POS: quick facts

At a glanceCloverShopify POS
CategoryPOS Systems
Entry priceClover Go reader $199; Essentials $29.95/mo (2.5% + 10¢ in person)In-person selling included with Shopify from $29/mo (annual); POS Pro $89/location/mo
Free planNo free plan; Starter lists no monthly fee (reader $199)No free plan; 3-day trial, then $1/mo for 3 months

Is Clover cheaper than Shopify POS?

For a small retail shop, Shopify: Basic at $29 a month (annual) includes in-person selling, with a $49 reader, against Clover Essentials at $29.95 a month plus a $199 Go reader. With full retail features, Shopify Basic plus POS Pro is $118 a month for one location; Clover Retail Growth is $84.95 a month plus $1,899 for Station Duo, at a lower in-person rate (2.3% + 10¢ against 2.6% + 10¢ on Basic).

Verified data

Clover vs Shopify POS at a glance

CategoryCloverShopify POS
Monthly software feeEssentials $29.95; Retail Growth $84.95–$104.90; Restaurant Growth $89.95–$129.85Shopify plan from $29 (annual); POS Pro +$89/location (annual)
In-person card rate2.6% + 10¢ (Starter), 2.5% + 10¢ (Essentials), 2.3% + 10¢ (Growth plans)2.6% + 10¢ (Basic), 2.5% + 10¢ (Grow), 2.4% + 10¢ (Advanced)
Online / keyed-in rate3.5% + 10¢ (typed in, online or phone)Online 2.9% + 30¢ (Basic), 2.7% (Grow), 2.5% (Advanced), 2.25% (Plus), all + 30¢
Hardware (list)Go reader $199; Compact $349; Station Solo bundle $1,799; Station Duo $1,899Tap & Chip reader $49; Tablet stand $149; POS Terminal $349; Verifone Victa Mobile $399
Restaurant featuresTable mapping, tabs, bill splitting, online ordering (Restaurant Growth)None listed
Online storeOnline store set-up on Retail Growth; add-on elsewhereFull online store on every plan
Use another processor?No — Clover devices work only with CloverOnline with a 2% / 1% / 0.6% fee; in person only as an unintegrated custom payment
Contract36-month hardware subscriptions non-cancelable; terms vary by providerMonthly or yearly billing
Offline card paymentsUp to 7 days, if turned onYes on supported readers, within limits you set
Support24/7/36524/7 live chat; priority phone on Plus

Verified September 19, 2026Prices recorded from each vendor’s own pricing page. See sources

US prices from clover.com (Clover.com prices; banks and resellers may differ) and shopify.com/pos/pricing; all checked September 19, 2026.

Editorial assessment

How they actually differ

Clover is built around the counter: hardware bundles for quick service, full-service restaurants and retail. Shopify POS is built around the online store: the same products, inventory and customers, sold in person through a phone, tablet or terminal.

Restaurants versus retail

Clover’s Restaurant Growth plans include table mapping, open tabs with card pre-authorization, bill splitting, QR-code order and pay and no-fee online ordering, with tableside ordering on bundles that include Flex. Shopify POS lists retail features such as exchanges at any location, ship to home, pickup in store and purchase orders, and no restaurant features.

Lock-in

Clover devices cannot be used with other payment processors, and hardware bought on a 36-month subscription is non-cancelable. Shopify’s integrated card payments need a Shopify reader with Shopify Payments, but its POS app runs on your own iPhone, iPad or Android device, and plans bill monthly or yearly.

Moving between them

Shopify’s Store Migration app (early access) imports products from Clover CSV exports. Clover documents only its generic item spreadsheet import, with no Shopify importer.

Editorial assessment

Pros & cons

Clover

Pros

  • Restaurant features built in on Restaurant Growth
  • Lowest in-person rate here (2.3% + 10¢ on Growth)
  • All-in-one counter hardware
  • 24/7/365 support

Cons

  • Hardware locked to Clover processing
  • 36-month non-cancelable hardware subscriptions
  • Prices and terms vary by reseller
  • Typed-in and online payments at 3.5% + 10¢

Shopify POS

Pros

  • POS included with every Shopify plan
  • One catalogue for web and store
  • Runs on your own phone or tablet; $49 reader
  • Monthly or yearly billing

Cons

  • No restaurant features listed
  • Full retail tools need POS Pro at $89 a location
  • Keyed-in rate not published
  • Third-party payment providers cost extra online
Verified data

Cost calculator: what does your team actually pay?

Clover

 
$0/mo

Shopify POS

 
$0/mo
 

Software fees only, checked September 19, 2026. Card processing is charged on top as a percentage plus a fixed fee per sale (see the rates table above), and hardware is bought separately. Clover.com shows each plan as one bundle and publishes no multi-location price, so no Clover figure is shown above one location. Shopify prices are annual-billing rates.

Choose Clover if…

You run a restaurant or a busy counter, want hardware and software bundled with 24/7 support, and your volume justifies the Growth plans.

Choose Shopify POS if…

You sell online as well as in store, want one catalogue and inventory across channels, and prefer your own devices and flexible billing.

Total cost over time

Uses your selections above. Estimate excludes add-ons, overages, and negotiated discounts.

Ready to pick your POS?

Before signing anything with Clover, ask the seller for the contract length and termination fees in writing.

See Clover pricing See Shopify POS pricing
Verified data

Clover vs Shopify POS: security, offline & remote work

How Clover and Shopify POS compare on compliance reports, sign-in controls, offline access and the setup details that matter for remote, hybrid and in-office teams. Every value links to the vendor page it came from.

What we checkedCloverShopify POS
Security & compliance
SOC 2 reportNot publishedSOC 2 Type IIsource
ISO/IEC 27001Not publishedNot published
Other certificationsPCI DSS (QSA-validated; level not stated)sourcePCI DSS Level 1, SOC 3source
HIPAA (BAA)Not publishedNot published
GDPR data processing agreementNot publishedDPA offeredsource
Single sign-on (SAML/OIDC)Not publishedYesShopify Plussource
SCIM user provisioningNot publishedYesShopify Plussource
Two-factor authenticationNot publishedYesEnforcement: Shopify Plussource
Admin audit logNot publishedYesShopify Plussource
Data residency choicesNot publishedNot published
EncryptionEnd-to-end encryption and tokenization via Clover Security PlussourceNot published
Self-hosting optionNot publishedNot published
Offline access
Offline modePartialClover devices with Offline Payments turned on can take card payments without internet for up to 7 days; they are stored on the device and submitted for authorization automatically on reconnection (EBT and gift cards excluded).sourcePartialThe Shopify POS app can take cash and custom payments offline and, once activated, card payments on supported Shopify readers within merchant-set limits; orders and inventory sync with the Shopify admin after reconnecting.source
Desktop appsNot publishedNot published
Mobile appsiOS, AndroidsourceiOS, Androidsource
Offline limitsUp to 7 days per device; optional per-payment limit, total offline limit and approval threshold; not for EBT or gift cards; uninstalling the app while offline deletes offline payments.sourceOffline card payments need POS app 9.14.0+, a compatible Shopify reader, and are capped by a device daily limit and a per-transaction limit that apply to all locations; POS Terminal needs the local Wi-Fi network working.source
Remote, hybrid & in-office
IP allowlistingNot publishedNot published
Device & session controlsNot publishedNot published
Office & room hardwareClover sells its own locked POS devices: Go reader ($199), Compact ($349), Flex and Flex Pocket handhelds, Mini, Station Solo, Station Duo ($1,899), Kiosk and Kitchen Display System; they cannot be used with other processors.sourceShopify POS runs on your iOS/Android phone or tablet with Shopify card readers (Tap & Chip Card Reader $49, POS Terminal $349, Verifone Victa Mobile $399) plus retail hardware such as barcode scanners, receipt printers and cash drawers.source
Editorial assessment

What this means for your team

  • Audit reports: Shopify POS states a SOC 2 report on its own site; we found no SOC 2 statement for Clover. If your security team requires SOC 2, ask Clover directly before shortlisting.
  • Single sign-on: Shopify POS includes it on Shopify Plus. Clover doesn’t document single sign-on with your own identity provider. If your team signs in through Okta, Microsoft Entra ID or Google, price the plan that includes SSO, not the entry plan.
  • Working offline: Clover and Shopify POS work offline only in part. Details are in the Offline mode row above.
  • In the office: Clover: Clover sells its own locked POS devices: Go reader ($199), Compact ($349), Flex and Flex Pocket handhelds, Mini, Station Solo, Station Duo ($1,899), Kiosk and Kitchen Display System; they cannot be used with other processors. Shopify POS: Shopify POS runs on your iOS/Android phone or tablet with Shopify card readers (Tap & Chip Card Reader $49, POS Terminal $349, Verifone Victa Mobile $399) plus retail hardware such as barcode scanners, receipt printers and cash drawers.

Clover: worth knowing

  • OfflineOffline payments carry decline risk: expired or canceled cards and wrong PINs are only declined once the device reconnects. source
  • OfficeClover hardware bought on a 36-month subscription cannot be canceled; it can only be bought out or upgraded. source
  • RemoteThe customer list can be exported only from the web dashboard, not from a Clover device. source
  • RemoteClover Go needs a WiFi or cellular connection and pairs with a phone for taking payments away from the counter. source

Shopify POS: worth knowing

  • OfficeWith the POS Terminal reader, offline payments still require the store's local Wi-Fi network to be working. source
  • OfflineOffline payment limits (device daily and per-transaction) are set once and apply to every store location. source
  • OfficeThird-party card terminals can be used alongside Shopify POS only as a custom payment method for tracking; Shopify does not process those funds. source
  • SecuritySAML SSO, SCIM provisioning, mandatory two-step authentication and the organization user activity log are Shopify Plus-only. source

Checked September 19, 2026 against each vendor’s own trust center, help docs and app pages. Hover or tap “source” to see the exact wording we relied on. “Not published” means we could not find the vendor saying it on its own site — it doesn’t mean the feature is missing. Plan names are the lowest plan the vendor says includes the feature. Security · Offline · Remote vs office · Download the data

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Clover or Shopify POS better for restaurants?

Clover. Its Restaurant Growth plans include table mapping, open tabs, bill splitting and online ordering. Shopify POS lists no restaurant features.

Which is cheaper for a small retail shop?

Usually Shopify: Basic is $29 a month on annual billing with in-person selling included and a $49 reader. Clover Essentials is $29.95 a month with a $199 Go reader. Prices checked September 19, 2026.

Can I use my Clover hardware with Shopify?

No. Clover states that its devices cannot be used with other payment processors.

Can Shopify import my Clover products?

Yes. Shopify’s Store Migration app (early access) imports products from Clover CSV exports; otherwise use Shopify’s product CSV import.

Migration Guides

Already decided? Here’s how to actually switch.

Step-by-step migration guides covering what transfers automatically, what doesn’t, and how to handle the gap — in both directions.

Switching from Clover to Shopify POS Switching from Shopify POS to Clover
Editorial assessment

When to Buy — and When to Walk Away

Every “best POS system” listicle tells you why to buy. Here’s the other half: the specific conditions under which Clover or Shopify POS is the wrong purchase for your team.

Clover

Buy Clover if:

  • You run a restaurant or high-volume counter
  • You want bundled hardware with 24/7 support
  • Your volume justifies 2.3% + 10¢ on Growth

Do NOT buy Clover if:

  • You want freedom to change processors
  • You cannot commit to 36 months of hardware
  • Online sales are central to the business

Shopify POS

Buy Shopify POS if:

  • You sell online and in store
  • You want to use your own phone or tablet
  • You want monthly billing and no hardware contract

Do NOT buy Shopify POS if:

  • You need restaurant table service features
  • You want the lowest in-person rate on a basic plan
  • You take many keyed-in payments

Canonical data for the tools on this page

Every pricing fact, rating, AI billing model and switching guide we hold on each tool, on one page — with the date each figure was last verified.

CloverPricing, free plan, AI cost & every comparison›Shopify POSPricing, free plan, AI cost & every comparison›
Square vs CloverHead-to-head comparisonSquare vs Shopify POSHead-to-head comparison

Sources

Prices on this page were recorded from each vendor’s own pricing page on the date shown at the top of the page. Vendors change pricing often — check the live source before you buy.

Every figure is also in our open dataset (JSON and CSV, CC BY 4.0), with its source page and verification date. See how we research pricing.

Start with the job

Guides for the jobs this software does

Plain-language guides: the steps, what to check before you buy, common mistakes, and every tool it takes with verified prices.

Take card paymentsSell in person with a POSTrack inventoryAll 50 job guides
Need sign-off?

Turn this into a one-page decision brief

Verified prices costed for your team size, a check against your must-have requirements, the questions to settle before you sign, and a source for every figure. Print it, or paste it into an email to whoever approves the spend.

Build a decision brief

From shortlist to switched

Built for the leader who owns the selection, answers for the spend, drives the rollout, and lives with the results. HelpCompare covers the whole decision, not just the first step.

01 · CompareWhich tool fits your team, side by side.75 comparisons 02 · Price & approveSourced, dated pricing and a one-page brief for sign-off.Decision brief 03 · SwitchWhat moves, what you rebuild, what it costs.150 guides 04 · ShareDownload and cite the data. CC BY 4.0.Open data
Bill Belcamino, founder of HelpCompare
About the author

Bill Belcamino

Founder and author, HelpCompare

Bill has worked in software and digital marketing for more than 20 years. He spent nine years as an engineer at HP, served as COO scaling a platform past 200,000 users, and ran Google’s $70M/year search syndication partnership at Alot.com. He has bought, trialled, integrated and cancelled more SaaS tools than he can count, and started HelpCompare because the real cost of switching tools is the part nobody covers.

“I’ve sat on both sides of the table: the agency recommending the tool and the client paying for it.”

Researched and fact-checked by the HelpCompare team. Pricing on this page was last verified on September 19, 2026. No paid sponsorships, no affiliate commissions.

Read Bill’s story How we verify pricingSpot an error? Tell Bill