Clover vs Shopify: Which POS System is Better for Your Online Store?  

This detailed comparison article will show the Shopify POS and Clover’s features, functionalities, and capabilities to help store owners determine which suits their needs.

1. Key Takeaways

• Shopify is ideal for small and medium-sized businesses with an existing or planned online store on Shopify’s e-commerce platform, offering a user-friendly interface and easy-to-use tools to centralize inventory and order management.
• Clover is suitable for businesses focused on in-store sales with cloud synchronization, empowering business owners to access and control their operations from anywhere.

2. Shopify POS vs Clover: A Glance 

The Clover POS system is a flexible and powerful point of sale option with solid hardware and cloud sync abilities. It empowers merchants to manage staff, control inventory, track revenue, create reports, and accept multiple payment options without directly integrating with Shopify’s e-commerce platform.

On the other hand, Shopify POS is a crucial part of Shopify’s complete e-commerce packages, seamlessly connecting online and in-store operations. With a unified view of inventory, orders, and customer data, Shopify store owners can ensure consistent customer experiences and manage their operations efficiently.

3. Shopify POS And Clover: Pros and Cons

Our research table illustrates the advantages and disadvantages of Shopify POS and Clover:–

Shopify

Pros

• User-friendly interface
• Multi-omnichannel for sale 
• Various loyalty programs, gift cards, and coupons for improving loyalty
•  Wide range of integrations and apps available
• Smart inventory and staff management
• Wide range of payment options including in-built Shopify Payments
• Built-in tools for email marketing, social media, and other forms of promotion
• Advanced analytics and reports
• 24/7 customer support 

Cons

• Costly transaction fees for using  third-party payment gateways
• Limited features for table management, reservation, and KDS
• Lack of offline functionality

Clover

Pros

• Suitable for all business types
• Working with more than 300 apps
• Multiple payments support
• Inventory management 
• Employee management with scheduling, payroll, and performance tracking
• Reporting & analysis
• Loyalty programs and marketing campaigns 
• 24/7 Customer Support

Cons

• Require Clover Hardware
• Monthly Software Fee
• No Customer Service on Third-Party Apps

4. Shopify vs Clover: A Detailed Comparison

This in-depth comparison will dive into Shopify and Clover in 6 highlight features. 

Pricing 

Pricing is crucial when choosing a POS system as it impacts your business’s cost-efficiency and profit margins. 

Shopify POS 

The pricing structure of the Shopify POS system includes the cost of a Shopify subscription and Shopify POS Pro plans.

Shopify Subscription Plans

Shopify provides various subscription plans to businesses of different scales and requirements, from $5 to $2000 monthly. 

Shopify also provides a 3-day free trial, allowing you to explore its features, including Shopify POS, familiarize yourself with the platform, and evaluate how well it suits your business needs without any financial commitment.

A SPECIAL DEAL: New Shopify merchants can start selling in person with Shopify for only $1 per month by signing up for Shopify’s $1/month for 3 months deal. 

Shopify POS Lite and Shopify POS Pro Plan

While the Shopify POS Lite features included in the Shopify subscription plans meet many businesses’ needs, those requiring more advanced in-person selling capabilities might consider the Shopify POS Pro. 

For just $89 per month per location, this upgrade offers several advantages, such as unlimited store staff accounts, omnichannel selling capabilities, detailed analytics, and more.

Furthermore, if you subscribe to the Shopify POS Pro plan for 12 months, you will pay 10% less (only $79 monthly).

Shopify POS Software: Total Estimated Costs

To provide a more precise picture of the total fixed software cost of a Shopify POS system, let’s sum up these costs: 

• For a small business on the Basic subscription plan without Shopify POS Pro, the annual cost would be $468 = $39 x 12 months.
• A growing business on the Shopify plan, with Shopify POS Pro included for a single location, would incur an annual cost of $2,328 = ($105 + $89) x 12 months.
• A large business on the Advanced Shopify plan with Shopify POS Pro for one location would face an annual cost of $5,856 = ($399 + $89) x 12 months.

Clover POS

Here is a table that shows the subscription and compressing fees of three pricing plans. 

The Verdict

Based on monthly pricing, Shopify outweighs Clover as it offers a free trial length of three days while Clover doesn’t.

The Shopify POS system also provides a more cost-effective solution than Clover hardware, allowing store owners to rent hardware instead of requiring a complete purchase.

Ease Of Use

When comparing Shopify and Clover POS in terms of ease of use, both systems offer user-friendly interfaces to ensure a smooth and straightforward experience for store owners.

Shopify POS 

Shopify provides a clear and more straightforward interface that makes setting up the store a breeze. Nevertheless, there are limited customization options available beyond the basic features. However, if you don’t require a highly unique e-commerce store, you’ll appreciate the straightforward setup and efficient checkout process.

Additionally, Shopify offers an integrated payment processing system, enabling store owners to accept credit cards from significant providers without the hassle of setting up a separate merchant account. This eliminates the need for third-party involvement or complications when setting up payment systems, leading to better transaction rates. 

Clover POS

Clover POS earns high praise for its user-friendliness. Setting up Clover hardware is simple, and the POS software interface resembles a smartphone, making it a great fit for restaurant environments. 

Restaurant owners need to manage multiple order points, like phone, counter, and table sales, while allowing customers to choose various options and sizes easily.

This integrated approach ensures efficient order management, reduces errors, and enhances the overall dining experience for customers, leading to increased satisfaction and loyalty.

The Verdict

Shopify wins this round due to its simple, user-friendly interfaces and intuitive experiences. The Shopify POS has a broader appeal and more comprehensive  user base. 

Shopify’s seamless integration with its ecommerce platform, user-friendly interface, and robust online features have made it a popular choice for store owners of various sizes, especially those with an existing or planned online presence. 

Multiple payment gateways  

When comparing Shopify and Clover POS, payment gateway support is one of the critical factors to consider. Here’s a detailed breakdown:

Shopify POS  

Shopify POS offers multiple payment gateway integrations, allowing merchants to accept various payment methods, facilitate quick transactions, reduce cart abandonment, and improve customer experience.

For instance, orders are processed through Shopify Payments or third-party distributors using Credit cards. Customers can also use online payment methods like Shop Pay, Paypal Express, Meta Pay, Amazon Pay, and Apple Pay.

Furthermore, Shopify Payments is Shopify’s own payment service, managing all the steps of an online transaction. It has no monthly fees, hidden charges, or setup fees, making it a straightforward and transparent option for businesses.

However, using third-party payments, Shopify charges a fee on all Basic Shopify transactions, Standard Shopify plan transactions, and Advanced Shopify plan transactions at 2%, 1%, and 0.5%, respectively.  

Shopify POS especially accepts cryptocurrency as a payment option, opening up new opportunities for Shopify store owners to attract customers worldwide. 

Clover POS

Clover POS offers built-in payment processing capabilities. It provides quick payment processing options, including support for various payment methods like credit and debit cards, gift cards, and contactless payments. 

For example, with contactless NFC payments, customers can process transactions in shop stores or on the go with NFC – enabled cards and mobile payment services such as Apple Pay®, Google Pay®, and Samsung Pay®.

Moreover, numerous payment supports help store owners prevent fraud and abuse. Our credit card processing services prioritize PCI-compliant data security, ensuring customers can shop confidently and securely.

The Verdict

Based on comparing quick payments between Shopify and Clover POS, the verdict leans toward the Shopify platform.

Although Clover POS provides its payment processing capabilities, Shopify’s extensive integration with multiple payment gateways and its optimized online payment experience give store owners a clear advantage in terms of convenience, flexibility, and speed.

Reporting and Insights

Both Shopify and Clover POS provide robust reporting and insights, enabling business owners to track strategies, understand customer behavior, and make informed decisions.

Shopify POS 

Shopify’s analytics and reporting tools empower merchants to delve into their store’s recent activity, gaining valuable insights into visitor demographics, behaviors, retail sales reports, cash tracking, and inventory reports. 

Through comprehensive metrics analysis, Shopify owners can better understand their online store’s performance and make data-driven optimizations for enhanced customer experiences.

Especially Shopify POS Pro (an extensive app solution within the Shopify ecosystem, which allows Shopify store owners to sell products practically anywhere) provides daily sales reports with detailed insights into sales, products, and staff performance.

Additionally, financial reports assist merchants in reviewing their finances, covering aspects like sales, returns, taxes, and payments. This allows for better financial analysis and strategic planning, empowering Shopify owners to stay on top of their financial health and make well-informed business decisions.

Clover POS

Clover POS empowers business owners with real-time, actionable insights into their data, allowing them to track performance metrics and make informed decisions. 

With detailed reports, retailers can analyze revenue, total sales per employee, monthly sales trends, top-selling items, refund and transaction volume, and open orders. These valuable insights allow them to run their business more efficiently, improving profitability and success.

Additionally, Clover POS offers seamless integration with third-party apps and analytics, providing a comprehensive dashboard view to monitor and optimize business performance.

The Verdict

This is a tie between Shopify and Clover in terms of reporting and insights. 

Shopify POS’s robust analytics and reporting capabilities enable merchants to gain valuable insights into their store’s performance, customer behavior, and sales trends. 

Conversely, Clover POS stands out in brick-and-mortar retail businesses, offering a versatile point-of-sale system with comprehensive analysis and reporting tools to drive strategic business decisions.

Hardware Solutions & Integrations

Hardware solutions and integrations are vital for POS systems as they ensure seamless operations, improve efficiency and enhance customer experiences. Here is how Shopify and Clove compare these features: 

Shopify

Shopify POS system primarily focuses on online commerce and offers its proprietary hardware. It supports various hardware options from third-party providers, allowing merchants to choose from such as barcode scanners, receipt printers, and cash registers.

For example, if Shopify store owners want a device small, similar to the Clover Go, the WisePad 3 Reader will allow them to accept payments with chip inset or taps.

Clover POS

On the other hand, Clover POS provides a complete hardware solution designed specifically for in-store retail operations. Clover offers a range of devices, including countertop and mobile POS terminals, cash drawers, receipt printers, and more. 

This hardware system ensures seamless compatibility and optimized performance for brick-and-mortar businesses using Clover POS.

Clover offers the “Clover Go” system using a handheld miniature reader, supporting fast and convenient mobile payments. Moreover, Clover offers a variety of comprehensive packages, such as the Station Solo with a 14-inch display and the Station Duo with a front-facing POS. 

The Verdict

Shopify wins this round due to its cost-effective hardware and software options for varying business scale and operation needs. 

Help and Support

Customer support is a crucial aspect when choosing a POS system, as it can significantly affect the smooth operation of your business. 

Shopify 

Shopify offers 24/7 customer support via email, phone, and live chat. 

The Shopify Help Center offers detailed guides and documents. These resources are designed to answer common questions and give clear, step-by-step instructions.

Notably, Shopify successfully launched “migration” tools to permit retailers to move product and customer information from the previous platforms.

Moreover, Shopify has vibrant and engaged online communities, providing knowledge and support to store owners. Shopify also offers a free three-day trial, allowing them to try out and familiarize themselves with the platform before committing.

Clover POS

Clover provides 24/7 support via phone or email. Merchants can easily access country-specific numbers from their devices and back-office dashboards. 

Generally, Clover’s customer service receives positive user feedback, though some mention occasional slow response times. Additionally, for installation and onboarding training, CompuCom, a third-party service, is available to provide support.

The Verdict

Shopify surpasses Clover in terms of support and help functionality. 

Besides offering  24/7 customer support via multiple channels in Shopify and Clover, Shopify has an extensive and active online community, providing a vast knowledge base and peer-to-peer support. Business owners can easily tap into this resource for answers, suggestions, or tips from Shopify experts and experienced users.

5. Why Store Owners Should Choose Shopify Over Clover

There are several factors to consider when choosing Shopify POS over Clover POS, as the following list: 

Get ecommerce included

While Clover offers a POS system,  Shopify goes beyond by providing both a robust POS solution and a comprehensive e-commerce platform. 

With Shopify, merchants can access comprehensive features such as domain hosting, a user-friendly website builder, and over 100 designed templates. That means they can effortlessly create their online store and sell their products without extra cost. 

Get a POS for retail, not restaurants

Unlike Clove, Shopify is specifically designed for retail businesses. This is why Shopify POS includes unlimited SKUs and robust inventory capabilities. 

Additionally, Shopify POS enables store owners to meet customer expectations by providing services like local pickup and the ability to accept online purchases as in-store returns.

Get centralized support

Shopify support is always available 24/7 with all plans. You allow to access help docs, webinars, blog posts, or online courses to address problems. 

If you need assistance on Clover, it’s essential to contact their support team. However,  they only assist if your issue fits their standard troubleshooting problems.

Make data-decision

All your data, including crucial retail reports and website analytics, is safely stored and managed within Shopify POS. 

In contrast, with Clover, your in-store and online data are separate, resulting in additional time spent reconciling data rather than promptly responding to reviews.

6. Shopify and Clover POS: Who is Best For

Shopify and Clover POS serve different business sizes and cater to specific needs. Here is a comparison:

Shopify POS is ideal for:

• Small businesses that operate physical retail stores and are looking for  simple, easy-to-use point-of-sale system to efficiently manage their sales and inventory.
• Medium-sized businesses that want to create a scalable and customizable point-of-sale solution to handle growing sales, customers, and locations.
• Large enterprises that want to integrate in-store sales with their online store for a unified view of their business operations. This seamless integration allows for better management and coordination across different channels.
• Retailers with multiple l ocations: Centralize their sales, inventory, and customer data across all stores, making management more efficient.
• Online businesses transitioning to physical stores: Offer a smooth transition for merchants looking to expand into brick-and-mortar stores while integrating their inventory and sales data.
• Startups and new entrepreneurs: Provide an easy-to-set-up and affordable solution to kickstart their retail operations.

Clover POS is suitable for:

• Retail stores: It’s perfect for brick-and-mortar retailers, providing a robust system to manage transactions, inventory, and customer relationships.
• Restaurants and Foodservice: Clover POS caters to the needs of restaurants, cafes, and other services. It offers specialized features for menu management, tableside ordering, and kitchen order management, streamlining store owners’ operations. 
• Service-based businesses: Ideal for salons, spas, repair shops, or professional service providers. It also offers features such as appointment scheduling, client management, and invoicing to enhance the service delivery process.
• Mobile businesses: It’s an excellent choice for on-the-go store owners, including food trucks, pop-up shops, and mobile vendors. Its portable hardware and wireless capabilities enable transactions to access in various locations.

7. Shopify vs Clover POS: FAQs

8. Bottom line

Shopify and Clover POS offer unique benefits for different business sizes. Shopify POS is great for online-focused businesses, while Clover POS is better suited for brick-and-mortar stores with specialized in-person transaction needs.

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