Clover Plans: Choosing the Right Plan for your Business

If you’re a small business owner exploring point-of-sale systems, you’ve probably heard about Clover. It’s one of the most popular and powerful POS platforms in the game. But here’s the catch: Clover’s power isn’t just in its sleek hardware—it’s in the Clover Plans (also known as software service tiers). These plans determine what your Clover device can actually do, from basic card swiping to managing restaurant floor plans and loyalty programs.

Clover software plans only work with Clover hardware (Clover equipment), and the Clover system requires both compatible Clover hardware and a software plan to function. Clover offers six service plans, each tailored for different business types and Clover devices, including retail, restaurants, and services. All Clover service plans allow businesses to accept cash, card, and NFC payments, and support recording cash and check sales. Clover POS offers tailored plans for retail, restaurants, and services, with high-end, user-friendly hardware and robust app integrations.

Clover POS pricing includes a monthly software fee (per month), hardware costs, and transaction fees. These monthly plans and fees vary by business type and plan tier. Clover hardware can be purchased upfront or through monthly payment plans, with costs ranging from $16 to over $354 per month depending on your setup, and hardware is typically bundled with software plans. Clover POS pricing starts at $14.95 per month for a virtual terminal, but the entry-level plan is more expensive than free plans from competitors like Square and PayPal POS, making the bundled hardware and software result in a higher starting price. Clover requires a contract that typically lasts 36 or 48 months, and early termination fees may apply.

So, let’s break it all down—fun, simple, and with no tech-speak headaches.

Why Clover Plans Matter

When you purchase a Clover POS device, you’re not just paying for the hardware. You’re also subscribing to a software plan that unlocks features tailored to your business type. Whether you run a cozy coffee shop or a booming boutique, Clover has a plan for you.

Your choice of payment processor can impact your transaction fees and overall costs. Clover integrates with its own payment processing as part of the system, which affects both setup flexibility and pricing.

And don’t worry—you can always upgrade as your business grows.

Overview of Clover Plans

Let’s dive into the five main Clover software plans, each with a monthly software fee billed per month. Clover offers six service plans in total, each designed for different types of businesses and Clover devices. All Clover service plans include the ability to accept magstripe, EMV chip, and NFC transactions, as well as recording cash and check sales.

1. Clover Payments (Free Plan) – $0/month

2. Register Lite (aka Essentials Plan) – $14.95/month

3. Counter Service Restaurant Plan – $59.95/month

4. Retail Register (aka Retail Growth Plan) – $84.95/month

5. Table Service Restaurant Plan – $89.95/month

All Clover plans (except the free one) come with 24/7 support, and your first device carries the full monthly price. Add-ons for additional devices typically cost $9.95–$14.95 per month per device.

Now let’s take a closer look at each plan.

Hardware Options: Matching Devices to Your Plan

Choosing the right Clover POS plan is only half the equation—selecting the best hardware for your business type is just as important. Clover offers a versatile lineup of devices, including new Clover POS devices for 2026, each designed to support different business models and growth stages. For example, the Clover Station Solo is a powerhouse for table service restaurants, offering a large touchscreen and robust processing power to handle busy dining rooms. If you run a high-volume establishment or need to manage multiple service areas, the Clover Station Duo provides dual screens for both staff and customers, making it perfect for restaurant growth and enhanced customer engagement.

For quick service restaurants, retail stores, or businesses that need flexibility, the Clover Flex is a portable solution that lets you accept payments tableside, curbside, or on the go. The Clover Mini is a compact yet powerful option for counter service restaurants and small retail shops, offering a full suite of POS features without taking up much space. And if you’re a mobile vendor or need to process payments anywhere, the Clover Go pairs with your smartphone for ultimate mobility.

Matching your Clover device to your chosen plan—whether it’s for retail growth, services growth, or restaurant growth—ensures you can accept payments, track sales, and manage operations efficiently. By investing in the right hardware, your Clover POS system will be tailored to your unique business needs, helping you deliver a seamless customer experience and supporting your business as it evolves.

1. Clover Payments Plan (aka the Free Plan)

Monthly Fee: $0
What You Get: Basic payment processing
Best For: Micro-businesses or vendors just starting out

The Clover Payments Plan is the starter plan and the most basic Clover service plan, allowing users to accept payments, including offline payments. This plan is ideal if you’re just starting your business or if you’re looking for a minimalist setup with no monthly costs. Maybe you’re a weekend market vendor, a food stand operator, or a service provider who only wants to accept credit cards without all the bells and whistles. You don’t need inventory tracking, loyalty programs, or employee management—you just want to charge customers and get paid. The Payments Plan lets you do that with flat-rate transaction fees and no commitment. It’s also a great choice if you’re testing the waters with Clover before upgrading. Just keep in mind that this is strictly for payment processing—you won’t be able to ring up items by name, print detailed receipts, or manage your team through the system. Transaction fees are separate from the plan’s fixed monthly cost and vary depending on the monthly plan you choose.

Key Features:

• Accept payments via swipe, chip, or tap

• Issue refunds

• View simple transaction history

• Works with Clover Go, Flex, Mini, or Station (hardware sold separately)

• Optional: Virtual Terminal for keyed-in payments ($14.95 per month)

• Supports offline payments

Clover POS pricing starts at $14.95 per month for a virtual terminal that allows payments on a smartphone or tablet, but it’s worth comparing Square vs Clover POS options to see which model best aligns with your budget and growth plans.

Pros: $0 monthly cost = risk-free Competitive flat-rate processing (around 2.6% + 10¢ per transaction) Great as a backup for seasonal or pop-up operations

Cons: No item-level reporting, inventory tools, or receipts with itemized details No employee logins or POS apps Not scalable for growing businesses Clover’s entry-level plan is more expensive than free plans from competitors like Square and PayPal POS

2. Register Lite (Essentials Plan)

Monthly Fee: $14.95 (first device)
What You Get: Basic POS tools + payment processing
Best For: Small retailers, salons, cafes, or new businesses

The Essentials plan is suitable for small retailers and service providers who need basic inventory management and reporting features. Think of Register Lite as your step into the real POS world. If you’re a small shop owner, café operator, hair stylist, or any kind of low-volume business that needs more than just swiping cards, this plan has your back. You’ll be able to track what you’re selling, manage employees, apply tax and tips, and get real reports—all on a budget. The Essentials plan introduces advanced features such as mobile payments, transaction reports, and basic inventory management. It gives you the essentials to run your shop smoothly, without overloading you with restaurant or retail-specific features you don’t need (yet). This plan is great for businesses doing under $50K annually or anyone just starting out who wants modern functionality without breaking the bank. The best part? You can scale up later if your business takes off.

Key Features:

• Accept all payment types (including gift cards and digital wallets)

• Mobile payments supported

• Add taxes, discounts, tips

• Basic inventory tracking

• Employee logins and shift tracking

• Exportable sales reports

• Clover App Market access

Pros: Budget-friendly for small or low-volume merchants Works with Clover Flex, Mini, and Station Scalable as you grow

Cons: Lacks advanced inventory tools (no variants, exchanges) Slightly higher transaction fees (2.9% + 10¢ per swipe)

3. Counter Service Restaurant Plan

Monthly Fee: $59.95
What You Get: POS + fast-casual restaurant features
Best For: QSRs, food trucks, smoothie bars, bakeries

The Counter Service Restaurant Plan is one of Clover’s monthly plans designed specifically for quick service restaurants, food trucks, smoothie bars, bakeries, and similar businesses. If your business serves food fast—like tacos at the counter, smoothies on-the-go, or breakfast sandwiches during a morning rush—this plan was built for you. The Counter Service Plan is perfect for food service spots that don’t need table management but do need speed, efficiency, and the ability to juggle online and walk-in orders. You’ll love features like kitchen printing, item modifiers (hello, extra avocado), and online ordering integrations that funnel all your orders into one system. It’s basically a digital kitchen manager. This plan is a lifesaver for food trucks, delis, and cafes where efficiency makes or breaks the day. If you’ve outgrown the basic Register Lite plan but don’t need a full dining-room POS, this is the sweet spot.

Key Features:

• Everything in Register Lite

• Online ordering integration

• Pickup & delivery order types

• QR code ordering and payments

• Kitchen printing and item modifiers

• Category-based sales reports (food vs beverage)

Pros: Saves time with integrated ordering (ditch the third-party tablets!) Great for managing toppings and customizations More affordable than full-service restaurant plan

Cons: Doesn’t include table mapping or split checks Not ideal for sit-down restaurants

4. Retail Register Plan (Retail Growth)

Monthly Fee: $84.95
What You Get: Advanced retail POS with inventory control
Best For: Boutiques, vape shops, electronics stores, mini-markets

If you run a retail business that sells a wide variety of products—think clothing stores, vape shops, markets, or even pet stores—this plan is built to give you control over your inventory and sales operations. The Retail Register Plan is like giving your business a command center. You’ll be able to track individual item stock levels, create barcoded SKUs, handle returns and exchanges with ease, and even reward loyal customers without needing third-party apps. It also works seamlessly with peripherals like barcode scanners and scales, making checkout a breeze. This is ideal if your inventory is complex or if you’re scaling up to a second or third location. The added cost pays off in organization, speed, and better customer service.

Key Features:

• Advanced inventory management (categories, variants, barcodes)

• Stock tracking by item

• Exchanges & returns (with receipts)

• Loyalty program tools

• Peripheral compatibility (barcode scanners, scales)

Pros: Deep inventory control baked right in Save time with hardware integrations Competitive processing fees (2.3% + 10¢)

Cons: Higher monthly fee May include features your business doesn’t need if you’re smaller

5. Table Service Restaurant Plan

Monthly Fee: $89.95
What You Get: Full-service dining tools + everything else
Best For: Sit-down restaurants, bars, breweries, fine dining

For restaurant owners who offer a full dining experience, the Table Service Plan is like hiring a digital maître d’. This plan is built to manage everything from seating and service to splitting checks and tipping. You can build a floor plan, assign servers to specific tables, open bar tabs, and keep tabs (pun intended) on everything your front-of-house team is doing. If your servers need to send orders directly to the kitchen, adjust items mid-order, or split a bill five ways after a group dinner—this plan does it all. Plus, it includes online ordering and QR code pay features, helping you adapt to modern diners. It’s the best option if your restaurant is high-volume, has multiple service zones, or just needs tech to keep everything running smoothly.

Key Features:

• All Counter Service features included

• Table mapping (design your floor plan)

• Assign orders to tables or merge/split checks

• Pre-authorized bar tabs

• Service charges for large parties

• Reports by section/server

• QR code ordering, online ordering integrations

Pros: Ideal for waitstaff and busy dining rooms Makes bill-splitting and bar tabs seamless Improves turnover and table management

Cons: Most expensive plan May require extra apps (like kitchen display systems)

Online Ordering Integration: Expanding Your Sales Channels

In today’s fast-paced market, online ordering is a must-have for businesses looking to reach more customers and boost sales. Clover POS systems make it easy to add online ordering to your operations, allowing you to accept orders and payments from your website or third-party apps—all managed through your Clover POS system. This integration means you can handle in-person and online sales from a single dashboard, simplifying inventory management and order tracking.

For restaurants, especially those on the Restaurant Growth plan, Clover offers advanced features like table mapping, QR code ordering, and digital menus. Customers can browse your menu, place orders, and pay directly from their mobile devices, whether they’re dining in or ordering for pickup or delivery. This not only streamlines service but also enhances the customer experience by offering more convenience and flexibility.

Clover’s online ordering integration also supports popular third-party apps, so you can connect with food delivery and pickup services to expand your reach even further. By leveraging these tools, your business can stay competitive, increase revenue, and provide the seamless service today’s customers expect—all while keeping everything organized within your Clover POS system.

Support and Resources: Getting Help When You Need It

Running a business means you need reliable support at your fingertips, and Clover delivers with a comprehensive suite of resources and assistance. Every Clover POS system comes with access to the Clover dashboard, where you can manage inventory, employees, and customer records with ease. The dashboard is your command center, offering intuitive tools for inventory management, employee management, and customer management—all designed to help small businesses stay organized and efficient.

Clover’s support doesn’t stop at software. With the Essentials plan and above, you get 24/7 customer support, so help is always available when you need it—whether it’s a technical question or a quick how-to. Plus, Clover offers a wealth of resources, including user guides, video tutorials, and live webinars, to help you and your team get the most out of your POS system.

These support options are especially valuable for small businesses that may not have dedicated IT staff. With Clover’s robust support and resources, you can focus on growing your business, confident that expert help is just a call or click away.

Security and Reliability: Keeping Your Business Safe

When it comes to payment processing, security and reliability are non-negotiable. Clover POS systems are built with advanced security features to protect your business and your customers. Every transaction is safeguarded with end-to-end encryption and tokenization, ensuring sensitive data stays secure. Clover POS systems are fully compliant with PCI-DSS and EMV standards, so you can accept credit and debit cards with confidence.

Devices like the Clover Station Solo go even further, offering secure boot technology and regular automatic updates to keep your system protected against emerging threats. Clover POS systems also feature offline mode, so you can continue processing payments even if your internet connection drops—no lost sales, no interruptions.

With Clover, you get a POS system that’s not only powerful and easy to use but also designed to keep your business running smoothly and securely. Regular updates and proactive security measures mean you can focus on serving your customers and growing your business, knowing your Clover POS system has your back every step of the way.

Clover Plans in Action: Pick the Right Fit

Here’s a quick visual to help you match your business to the right Clover plan:

The Bottom Line: Clover Plans Are Built to Grow With You

Picking the right Clover plan isn’t just about choosing a price—it’s about matching the software tools to the way your business operates. It’s also crucial to select the right POS hardware for your business needs, as the hardware setup can impact efficiency and overall experience. A solo service provider might be totally fine with the free Clover Payments plan, while a high-end bistro will absolutely need the Table Service setup to avoid chaos during a dinner rush. What’s great about Clover is that it lets you start small and scale up—just add features as your business grows. Plus, Clover offers an extensive app market, and the top Clover App Market tools for 2026 let you customize your system with features like loyalty programs and inventory management.

Just remember:

• Start small if you’re testing the waters

• Upgrade strategically as you scale

• Bundle wisely (hardware + software) to get the most bang for your buck

Need help figuring out which plan fits your business best? That’s what we’re here for.

Want help choosing the right Clover setup for your business?Talk to the experts at Velocity Merchant Services — we’ll help you pick the perfect combo of device and plan that saves you time, money, and headaches.