Clover vs Lightspeed

Round by round

1. Round 1What the software costsClover wins
   Clover8/10

   $29.95/mo

   Essentials plan — cheapest software plan on clover.com

   • the cheapest plan, per month; it varies by reseller

   Source: clover.com ↗

   Lightspeed5/10

   $89

   the cheapest plan, per month billed annually

   • $89, against $14.95

   Source: hustlerslibrary.com ↗

   Clover wins this round on independent review-site data, not on its own claims.

2. Round 2What customers say on TrustpilotLightspeed wins
   Clover5/10

   1.9 out of 5

   TrustScore from 2,200 reviews on Trustpilot

   • 1.9 out of 5, against 3.7 out of 5

   Source: trustpilot.com ↗

   Lightspeed8/10

   3.7 out of 5

   TrustScore from 2,516 reviews on Trustpilot

   Source: trustpilot.com ↗

   Lightspeed wins this round on independent review-site data, not on its own claims.

3. Round 3Trying it before you payClover wins
   Clover8/10

   90-day trial (Essentials, promo)

   Starter software plan (Clover Go / Retail Basic system); trial = Essentials

   Source: clover.com ↗

   Lightspeed5/10

   14-day free trial

   Retail (X-Series) Basic, billed annually (Annually tab, default)

   • 14-day free trial, against 90-day trial (Essentials, promo)

   Source: lightspeedhq.com ↗

   Clover wins this round on what the published sources say.

4. Round 4Tracking stock on the starter planLightspeed wins
   Clover5/10

   Item management not in Basic

   Starter software plan (Clover Go / Retail Basic system); trial = Essentials

   • Item management not in Basic, against Inventory management in Basic

   Source: clover.com ↗

   Lightspeed8/10

   Inventory management in Basic

   Retail (X-Series) Basic, billed annually (Annually tab, default)

   Source: lightspeedhq.com ↗

   Lightspeed wins this round on what the published sources say.

5. Round 5What the top plan costsClover wins
   Clover8/10

   Services Growth $84.95/mo

   Starter software plan (Clover Go / Retail Basic system); trial = Essentials

   Source: clover.com ↗

   Lightspeed5/10

   Plus $289/mo, billed annually

   Retail (X-Series) Basic, billed annually (Annually tab, default)

   • Plus $289/mo, billed annually, against Services Growth $84.95/mo

   Source: lightspeedhq.com ↗

   Clover wins this round on what the published sources say.

6. Round 6What each card sale costsTie
   Clover7/10

   2.6% + 10¢ in person (Starter)

   Starter software plan (Clover Go / Retail Basic system); trial = Essentials

   Source: clover.com ↗

   Lightspeed7/10

   2.6% + 10¢ card-present

   Retail (X-Series) Basic, billed annually (Annually tab, default)

   Source: lightspeedhq.com ↗

   Nothing to separate them here.

Side by side

Clover

Check price

Best for who picks up when the till is downLightspeed

Check price

Overall score

6.6

6.6

Price

See price

See price

What the software costs

7.2

5.7

What customers say on Trustpilot

6.3

7.3

Who picks up when the till is down

7.6

7.6

How long you are locked in

5.0

—

What it costs to get a card reader

5.0

—

Head-to-head findings

What the software costs

$29.95/mo

$89

What customers say on Trustpilot

1.9 out of 5

3.7 out of 5

Who picks up when the till is down

24/7 phone support

24/7 phone and chat support

How long you are locked in

36 months

—

What it costs to get a card reader

$199

—

What the top plan costs

Services Growth $84.95/mo

Plus $289/mo, billed annually

What each card sale costs

2.6% + 10¢ in person (Starter)

2.6% + 10¢

Selling when the internet drops

Offline payments up to 7 days

Offline selling mode

Record

Head-to-head record

4–4–1

3–4–2

Head-to-heads won

50 %

43 %

Rounds won

41 %

37 %

Pros

• the cheapest plan, per month; it varies by reseller

• included with all plans

Cons

• $14.95, against $0
• $199, against $59
• 36 months, against No contract
• 1.9 out of 5, against 3.7 out of 5

• $89, against $0
• 3.6 out of 5, against 4.6 out of 5
• 14-day free trial, against 30-day trial of Square Plus
• Plus $289/mo, billed annually, against Premium $149/mo

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