Clover vs Square vs Genius: which POS fits your business
All three run a counter, take tap and chip cards, and track sales and inventory. The real differences are in how processing is priced, what the hardware is, and how much help you get. We set up all three, so this comparison is about fit, not about selling you one.
By Josh Elsass, PresidentLast reviewed November 4, 2026
How the three compare
| Clover | Square | Genius | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Made by | Fiserv | Block (Square) | Global Payments |
| Hardware | Station (countertop), Mini, Compact, Flex (handheld), Go (phone reader) and Kiosk (Clover) | Register, Terminal, Stand for iPad and Handheld | Countertop, handheld and kiosk devices, plus iPad options (Global Payments) |
| How processing is priced | Interchange-plus, flat rate or tiered, quoted for your business | Flat rate set by Square: 2.6% + 15¢ in person, 3.5% + 15¢ keyed in (Square) | Interchange-plus, flat rate or tiered, quoted for your business |
| Software plans | Monthly plans quoted with your free rate review | Restaurant plans: Free, Plus ($49 a month) and Premium ($149 a month), as of February 2026 (NerdWallet) | Monthly plans quoted with your free rate review |
| Online ordering | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Best known for | A large app market and a wide range of devices | Easy setup and a free starting plan | Restaurant and retail tools with 24/7 support |
| Hardware tied to the provider? | Yes. Set up for the provider that sold it. | Yes. Processes only through Square. | Yes. Set up for the provider that sold it. |
Pick the one that matches how you sell
Square
Just starting out
You're new, your volume is small or seasonal, and you want to be selling today. You'll pay a higher flat rate per sale as you grow.
Clover
Want choice
You want a wide choice of devices and apps, from a phone reader to a full countertop station, with processing priced for your business.
Genius
Restaurants and retail
You run a restaurant or store and want a system built for it, with live support around the clock.
Five questions to ask about any POS
- Do I own the hardware, rent it or lease it? Can I cancel the lease?
- If I change processors later, does the hardware still work?
- What is my monthly software fee, per location and per device?
- What is my effective processing rate on my actual card mix? See processing fees explained.
- Who answers the phone on a Saturday night?
Common questions
Is Square cheaper than Clover?
Square is often cheaper to start because there is a free plan. As volume grows, processing priced for your business on Clover or Genius is often cheaper. Compare your effective rate.
Which POS is best for restaurants?
All three have restaurant versions. Genius and Clover suit full-service restaurants that want processing priced for their volume and dedicated support. Square suits small counter-service spots.
Can I take my POS with me if I switch processors?
Usually not. Clover, Genius and Square hardware is set up for the provider that sold it.
About the author
Josh Elsass
President, PayVault Solutions
Josh Elsass is President of PayVault Solutions, where he leads merchant sales and the agent and ISO partner channel. A payments executive with more than two decades of sales leadership in payment processing and business financing, he has worked with thousands of small businesses and enterprises nationwide and has been part of three successful company exits, building the sales channel behind each one. Before PayVault, he served as Chief Sales Officer and then President, Operating Companies at Simpay, where he strengthened every sales channel and oversaw day-to-day operations. Josh has built his career on one conviction: the best companies value clients, partners and employees equally. At PayVault, that means pricing explained line by line for every merchant and terms in writing for every sales partner.
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