Clover vs Shift4

Round by round

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

   $29.95/mo

   Essentials plan

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

   Source: hustlerslibrary.com ↗

   Shift45/10

   $29.99/month

   "Big Tech. Small Price." panel; "GET STARTED FOR $0" button

   • $99, against $14.95

   Source: dine.shift4.com ↗

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

2. Round 2What customers say on TrustpilotClover wins
   Clover8/10

   1.9 out of 5

   TrustScore from 2,200 reviews on Trustpilot

   Source: trustpilot.com ↗

   Shift45/10

   1.4 out of 5

   TrustScore from 450 reviews on Trustpilot

   • 1.4 out of 5, against 1.9 out of 5

   Source: trustpilot.com ↗

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

3. Round 3What each card sale costsClover wins
   Clover8/10

   2.6% + 10¢ in person (Starter)

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

   Source: clover.com ↗

   Shift45/10

   2.75% + 15¢ standard rate

   Shift4 Dine (ex-Revel/SkyTab) Table-Service Bundle, Standard Pricing (Build Your System)

   • 2.75% + 15¢ standard rate, against 2.6% + 10¢ in person (Starter)

   Source: dine.shift4.com ↗

   Clover wins this round on what the published sources say.

4. Round 4What it costs to get a card readerShift4 wins
   Clover5/10

   Clover Go reader $199

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

   • Clover Go reader $199, against $0 upfront (reader in bundle)

   Source: clover.com ↗

   Shift48/10

   $0 upfront (reader in bundle)

   Shift4 Dine (ex-Revel/SkyTab) Table-Service Bundle, Standard Pricing (Build Your System)

   Source: dine.shift4.com ↗

   Shift4 wins this round on what the published sources say.

5. Round 5Who picks up when the till is downTie
   Clover7/10

   24/7/365 support

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

   Source: clover.com ↗

   Shift47/10

   24/7/365 support

   Shift4 Dine (ex-Revel/SkyTab) Table-Service Bundle, Standard Pricing (Build Your System)

   Source: dine.shift4.com ↗

   Nothing to separate them here.

6. Round 6Selling when the internet dropsTie
   Clover7/10

   Offline payments up to 7 days

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

   Source: clover.com ↗

   Shift47/10

   Takes cards offline

   Shift4 Dine (ex-Revel/SkyTab) Table-Service Bundle, Standard Pricing (Build Your System)

   Source: dine.shift4.com ↗

   Nothing to separate them here.

Side by side

Clover

Check price

Shift4

Check price

Overall score

6.6

Best

6.1

Price

See price

See price

What the software costs

7.2

5.9

What customers say on Trustpilot

6.3

5.6

Who picks up when the till is down

7.6

7.4

How long you are locked in

5.0

5.0

What it costs to get a card reader

5.0

7.8

Head-to-head findings

What the software costs

$29.95/mo

$29.99/month

What customers say on Trustpilot

1.9 out of 5

1.4 out of 5

Who picks up when the till is down

24/7 phone support

24/7/365 support

How long you are locked in

36 months

Not stated

What it costs to get a card reader

$199

$0 upfront (reader in bundle)

What the top plan costs

Services Growth $84.95/mo

—

What each card sale costs

2.6% + 10¢ in person (Starter)

2.75% + 15¢ standard rate

Selling when the internet drops

Offline payments up to 7 days

Takes cards offline

Record

Head-to-head record

4–4–1

1–5–1

Head-to-heads won

50 %

17 %

Rounds won

41 %

21 %

Pros

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

• the cheapest plan, per month

Cons

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

• $99, against $0
• 3 years, against No contract
• 1.4 out of 5, against 3.7 out of 5
• 2.75% + 15¢ standard rate, against 2.6% + 15¢ in person

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