The verdict
Toast takes it, 4–0 on rounds.
On the published figures and the independent review sites, Toast takes 4 of 6 rounds. Treat that as a starting point and check the current figures on both pages, because prices and plans move.
Choose Toast if…
- • You want Toast's edge on how long you are locked in and what customers say on trustpilot
Choose Clover if…
- • You have a reason to pick Clover that is not on this list
Round by round
- Round 1How long you are locked inToast winsToast8/10
2 to 3 years
auto-renewing, with early termination fees; the low end is used
Source: posusa.com ↗
Clover5/1036 months
when hardware is financed in the monthly price; buying hardware upfront avoids it
- 36 months, against 2 to 3 years
Source: posusa.com ↗
Toast wins this round on independent review-site data, not on its own claims.
- Round 2What customers say on TrustpilotToast winsClover5/10
1.9 out of 5
TrustScore from 2,200 reviews on Trustpilot
- 1.9 out of 5, against 2.7 out of 5
Source: trustpilot.com ↗
Toast wins this round on independent review-site data, not on its own claims.
- Round 3What it costs to get a card readerToast winsToast8/10
$0 upfront for first device
Starter Kit (Pay-as-you-Go), restaurant
Source: pos.toasttab.com ↗
Clover5/10Clover Go reader $199
Starter software plan (Clover Go / Retail Basic system); trial = Essentials
- Clover Go reader $199, against $0 upfront for first device
Source: clover.com ↗
Toast wins this round on what the published sources say.
- Round 4What the top plan costsToast winsClover5/10
Services Growth $84.95/mo
Starter software plan (Clover Go / Retail Basic system); trial = Essentials
- Services Growth $84.95/mo, against Point of Sale from $69/mo
Source: clover.com ↗
Toast wins this round on what the published sources say.
- Round 5What the software costsTieClover7/10
Starter plan $0/mo
Starter software plan (Clover Go / Retail Basic system); trial = Essentials
Source: clover.com ↗
Nothing to separate them here.
- Round 6Who picks up when the till is downTieClover7/10
24/7/365 support
Starter software plan (Clover Go / Retail Basic system); trial = Essentials
Source: clover.com ↗
Nothing to separate them here.
Side by side
- the cheapest plan, per month; it varies by reseller
- 2 to 3 years, against No contract
- 2.7 out of 5, against 3.7 out of 5
- 2-year agreement (Pay-as-you-Go), against Cancel anytime
- 2 to 3 years, against 12 months
- $14.95, against $0
- $199, against $59
- 36 months, against No contract
- 1.9 out of 5, against 3.7 out of 5