Clover POS Review: Small Business Payments Meets Controversy

August 14, 2025

We take our role in providing guidance and education regarding the card payment industry very seriously. At our own expense, we have vigorously defended our right to continue expose unethical and predatory practices in the industry, successfully defeating every attempt to silence us. However, fending off frivolous lawsuits is costly. To sustain these efforts, one of the ways we generate revenue is through affiliate partnerships with ethical providers. This means that some of our outgoing links connect business owners to trustworthy, low-cost payment processors, which is what most of our readers seek. We see this revenue channel as a win-win-win for everyone involved. Business owners find good processors, processors get good clients, and we are able to continue to provide a valuable service to the small business community. We also recommend and link to many services that do not compensate us. Our priority is to guide you to the best solutions for your needs, regardless of potential revenue. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us.

All mentions of rate and fee costs are estimations based on publicly available information and client feedback. Actual costs may vary based on a variety of factors unique to your business.

Clover

Rating

2/5

Leave User Review Compare Ratings

Pros

User-friendly interface

Multiple hardware options

Next day deposits

Cons

Potential high fees

Contractual obligations

Limited integrations

Numerous complaints

Proprietary hardware

Article Overview

Clover is a well-known player in the payment technology sector, offering credit card processing hardware and point-of-sale (POS) systems. This investigative article will cover the company’s background, its products, and an analysis of the experiences reported by current and former clients that utilized the company's merchant services. We will detail Clover’s corporate lineage and leadership, its range of POS solutions, the company’s fee structure and contract terms, and any legal or ethical issues that have surfaced. The goal is to provide a balanced view of Clover from the perspective of a small business to help you decide if the company is right for your own payment processing needs.

Listen To a Podcast About This Article

About Clover

clover homepage screen capture — Clover’s Homepage

From Silicon Valley Startup to Fiserv Subsidiary

Clover Network, Inc. is a California-based firm that launched its cloud-based Android POS platform in 2012. The company was founded in 2010 by Silicon Valley entrepreneurs Leonard Speiser, John Beatty, and Kelvin Zheng. Early on, Clover caught the attention of bigger industry players and was acquired by First Data Corporation in late 2012, just months after its product launch. First Data, a major payment processing company, later became part of Fiserv, meaning Clover is now a subsidiary of Fiserv. In practical terms, Clover operates as a brand within Fiserv’s extensive merchant services portfolio. The company’s headquarters remain in Sunnyvale, California, and it has grown to serve merchants worldwide, claiming to process over a hundred billion dollars in card transactions annually.

Clover’s Distribution and Strategic Partnerships Under Fiserv

Under Fiserv’s ownership, Clover benefits from the reach of a large financial technology conglomerate. Clover’s products are often distributed through a network of partner banks and independent sales organizations. For instance, Bank of America Merchant Services was one of the first to roll out Clover’s POS systems to its business clients before transitioning to it’s own in-house merchant services operations.

Extensive Reseller Network and Role in Fiserv’s Strategy

Today, Clover is sold by thousands of resellers and financial institutions, including major banks like Citi, PNC, and Wells Fargo’s merchant services division as part of their own merchant service offerings. This reseller network means that while Clover is the underlying technology, the sales, pricing, and customer support might be handled by whichever bank or ISO (independent sales organization) provided the system. Notably, Frank Bisignano, the CEO and Chairman of Fiserv, oversees Clover as a key product line in Fiserv’s strategy.

Products & Merchant Services

Clover’s core offerings are its point-of-sale hardware devices and the software ecosystem that runs on them. The flagship Clover Station is a full-sized POS terminal with a touchscreen interface; the latest “Station Duo” model includes a second screen facing the customer for PIN entry and signatures. For smaller countertops or simpler setups, there is the Clover Mini, a compact tablet-like terminal that can accept payments and run apps. Mobile businesses or those needing handheld flexibility can use Clover Flex, a wireless device with a built-in receipt printer and barcode scanner, allowing on-the-go payments. Clover also offers Clover Go, a small card reader that pairs with a smartphone or tablet for mobile payment acceptance. All of these devices are designed to be plug-and-play POS systems that connect to the internet and sync with Clover’s cloud platform. Notably, when a business purchases a Clover device (whether directly or through a bank), it typically comes bundled with the necessary Fiserv merchant account for processing credit and debit card payments. In other words, Clover’s hardware and payment processing go hand-in-hand, which differentiates it from purely software-based POS solutions.

examples of clover payment hardware — Clover Hardware Examples

Beyond the physical devices, Clover’s services encompass a wide array of business management tools. The Clover software allows merchants to handle transactions and also to track sales, manage inventory, and monitor employee shifts in real time. Clover also has an App Marketplace where third-party and Clover-developed apps can be installed to extend functionality. For example, a restaurant can add an app for table reservations or a retailer can add one for advanced inventory analytics. The platform supports customer engagement features like loyalty programs and digital receipts as well. Clover also offers e-commerce functionalities: businesses can integrate online ordering or set up a virtual terminal to accept payments on a computer for phone orders.

Customer Reviews & Sentiment

Feedback from Clover’s customers presents a mixed, and often critical, picture of the company’s performance. On consumer review platforms, the majority of recent reviews skew negative, citing serious pain points in Clover’s service. A summary of online feedback indicates that most reviewers were unhappy overall, especially with Clover’s customer service responsiveness. Common complaints include long hold times on support calls, difficulty getting issues escalated, and being transferred repeatedly without resolution. Business owners describe frustration in simply trying to reach help after hours when a terminal malfunctions. These service woes are compounded by reports of unexpected fees and charges. Multiple users have said they felt caught off guard by charges that weren’t clearly disclosed upfront. For example, monthly terminal fees or higher processing rates than promised. One reviewer flatly stated that the sales representative “lied from the start about rates and charges”, reflecting a sense of betrayal that appears in several customer reviews. These kind of comments raise red flags about honesty and transparency in how Clover (or its resellers) pitch their contracts to busy merchants.

Beyond customer support and surprise fees, Clover’s clients often criticize the platform’s reliability and the company’s handling of technical problems. It’s not unusual to find reviews calling the Clover system “buggy” or describing instances where the POS hardware failed during peak business hours. Particularly in restaurants and retail stores, owners have voiced alarm at glitches, from software crashes to card readers freezing, that interrupt their ability to take payments. What exacerbates these issues, according to reviews, is that Clover’s support team sometimes struggles to fix the problems quickly. In aggregate, the commentary suggests that while Clover’s technology is innovative, its execution can fall short in high-pressure environments.

Some dissatisfied users even label Clover a “scam” or “ripoff,” not necessarily to imply literal fraud, but to express anger over high costs and unmet expectations. Many of these harsher complaints revolve around the contractual side of using Clover: business owners talk about high processing rates, funds being held or deposits delayed, costly early termination fees, and expensive equipment leases. It’s important to note that experiences vary and there are also positive reviews praising Clover’s ease of use and stating that the system “works seamlessly” for their needs. However, the positive feedback is overshadowed by the volume of negative posts. The recurring themes of poor support, fee disputes, and technical hiccups signal that prospective Clover users should approach with caution and eyes open.

Industry Scores & User Ratings

Online Ratings Summary
PaymentPop	1
BBB Rating	1.01
Trustpilot Rating	3.0
Google Maps	3.7
GetApp Rating	3.9
Our Rating	3
Average Rating	2.92

Ratings across various online platforms reinforce the narrative that Clover receives very polarized feedback from its user base. Below are a few of the customer review forums we reviewed and how Clover scored.

PaymentPop Rating for Clover POS

Negative Feedback

Complete scam artist! Once they get your account and bank info set up you will never hear from them again. Im dealing with this right now. Just make 100% sure that clover with integrate with your software system before signing up with them. Otherwise youll be stuck with useless equipment

Positive Feedback

There are no positive reviews published about Clover POS on the PaymentPop website.

BBB Rating Analysis

Clover does not have a BBB profile itself, but Fiserv has an average customer review rating of 1 star and a rating of “A+” on the BBB site based on 389 customer reviews. While these reviews deal with the company’s business at large, they do give a good idea of working with Fiserv and its subsidiaries. Clover POS (as Fiserv on BBB) has a 1.01 out of 5 star rating based on 28 user reviews on the BBB website.

Negative Feedback

We called 3 times to cancel services and return merchandise. Each time we got the transfer game. Each time they had no record of the previous call and continue to bill us for machines we no longer use. Today we were told they could not guarantee we would receive a return label and we should simply ship back and keep the tracking number in case the machines are lost. When we receive shipping confirmation we then need to call and cancel the service. The fees are already a far cry from the best deal but the ability to cancel service when the contract is over and return their equipment is excessive. It clearly is all part of the game to continue billing for services not being used.

Positive Feedback

There are no positive reviews about Clover on the BBB website.

Trustpilot Rating Analysis

Clover has an average customer review rating of 3 stars on the Trustpilot site based on 1,688 customer reviews. Common themes in the reviews include held funds, unexpected fees, and issues with the equipment.

Negative Feedback

Worst company to deal with. Don’t even think about dealing with them. I did not listen to my friend and went with them. One of the worst decisions. I can’t stress much but don’t go with them

terrible company. stay away from it at any cost..

Positive Feedback

We are a small retail florist in a small town, fees have always been an issue for us. We never passed the fees to the customer and now the fees are not cutting into our profits, they are very reasonable and easier to absorb. Our customer support person, Evan Stanfield did everything he could to make our experience great and he was so helpful, felt like he was a close friend!

I am satisfied with my clover mini & customers love it to use Tap & Go. No fraud transactions.

Google Maps Rating for Clover POS

Clover POS has a 3.7 out of 5 star based on 3 user reviews on Google Maps.

Positive Feedback

Bad communication, after sending you pos system no support at all, my agent stopped picking up calls

Negative Feedback

Responsiveness, Professionalism

GetApp Rating Analysis

Clover has a 3.9 rating on the GetApp site based on 461 customer reviews. Common themes in reviews include issues with customer service and the technology used by the devices.

Negative Feedback

Awful customer service. Regularly increase prices, sign you into new lease periods without your knowledge. Advised to send an email to give 30 days notice, only to be told they need a signature. They want £480 in terminal lease costs despite my lease finishing in July 2023 (I signed an 18 month lease in February 2022) Worst card service provider I have used in 15 years of business. Next day terminal delivery never happens, quality of terminal is awful (continually breaks). I’ve just read other comments and I’m not alone. Avoid this company at all costs.
– Complaint from Michelle M.

We own a boutique where we also offer screen printing and embroidery. The clover system was sold to us as full POS system. Not the case at all. We were all excited to get started with it. It looked modern, cool, and expectations were high. When we tried to ring up our first printing order of more than 100 pieces we found our first issue. The system will not allow sales of items with a quantity of more than 100. Not a good thing when we routinely sale t-shirt orders of more than 100 shirts. We either had to make up multiple skus, which made a receipt look terribly unprofessional or make an invoice on word. Then I wanted to run a report on inventory value. Not possible. You can export a report to excel but good luck with that. My wife and I have both called customer support. We were both told that when enough people complained about the same issue, they may look into a fix. Until then, nothing would change. This was after going through multiple customer service reps who didn’t even understand what I was asking for help with. When asked if we could return the 2 POS systems we bought we were literally told “they’re yours, you bought them, do what you want with them, you could try selling them on ebay”. Needless to say, at this point, POS and Clover have a whole new meaning for us. Definitely not “Point of Sale” or “Lucky Clover”. We’re currently looking for another option, over a lot of frustration later.
– Review from Scott C.

Positive Feedback

Overall, I am happy with my experience with Clover. It has helped me manage my inventory, visualize my top and bottom sellers and identify peak hours for business. I recommend to any small retailer who needs an easy POS setup and inventory management solution.
– Review from Sara C.

Excellent in every possible way conceivable. We didn’t have any major challenges during the last 2+ years of the usage. Extremely easy to configure and change on the fly or on the internet, so, you don’t have to be next to the machine to change or update anything. I can walk my Manager through this without any issues at all. The customer support is great. They are literally one call away. And anyone from the restaurant can call from the system, so, they don’t have to provide any details on the account etc. Also, they can remotely log into the system directly and change things that we request, which is great, so, as a business owner I am not tied up to the system having to do everything myself.
– Review from Chenna C.

Our Take On The Ratings

The disparity in ratings between dedicated complaint forums and general app review sites is telling. It implies that Clover’s functionality is competitive, but the overall customer experience, especially regarding service and cost, drags down its reputation. For prospective customers, this mixed report card means they should interpret Clover’s positive testimonials in context. Many happy-seeming ratings might be focusing on the convenience of the product, whereas the harsh critiques spotlight what happens if something goes wrong. In essence, Clover scores well for capabilities but poorly for customer care. New clients might take this as a cue that if they opt for Clover, they need to ensure they have a reliable reseller or support plan in place as it could make the difference between a 5-star experience and a 1-star nightmare.

Processing Rates & Fees

One challenge in assessing Clover is that its pricing and contract terms are not one-size-fits-all. The company’s official website provides only broad guidance on costs, noting that Clover offers Starter, Standard, and Advanced service plans and that fees will vary by business type (and reseller). In practice, if a merchant signs up for Clover directly via Clover.com (Fiserv), there are some published baseline prices. For example, Clover’s own materials indicate that a small business can pay 2.3% + $0.10 per swipe on the most expensive plan (which is geared to higher-volume operations). More typically, a new merchant might start on a plan around 2.7% + $0.10 per in-person transaction, plus a monthly software subscription fee. Clover has in the past advertised a “Register Lite” plan at about $14 per month (intended for businesses processing under $50k annually) and a full “Register” plan at $29 per month for larger businesses. Under those tiers, the per-transaction fee for the Lite plan was ~2.7% (card-present) and the higher plan offered a lower ~2.3% rate as mentioned. These numbers give a ballpark cost, but actual processing rates can differ, especially if you obtain Clover through a third-party provider.

Hardware costs are another factor: buying a Clover Station outright can cost on the order of $1,000+ for the bundle with tablet, cash drawer, printer, etc., although Clover (Fiserv) also offers financing or subscription plans that roll hardware and software into one monthly payment. Some resellers might alternatively set up merchants on lease agreements for the equipment.

Crucially, Clover’s fees and contractual commitments can depend on the reseller or bank that provides the system. When you get a Clover device from your local bank or an independent sales agent, the seller marketing Clover might carry its own contractual terms. That means things like the transaction rate markup, monthly minimum fees, PCI compliance fees, and any early termination fee may be determined by the marketer, not by Clover’s published standards. Clover’s official FAQ advises that “contract terms and any termination fees can vary based on your service provider” whether it’s Clover directly or one of their 3,000+ partners.

Such variability in service terms is evident in customer reports: many complaints about Clover involve merchants feeling stuck in long-term contracts or being hit with a hefty cancellation fee when they tried to switch processors. Some users also mention being locked into equipment leases that are hard to break. Because Clover itself doesn’t impose these terms uniformly (they are imposed by the agent or ISO selling the service), businesses need to read all agreements carefully. If the Clover website or salesperson does not volunteer clear information about contract length and all fees, it is wise for potential customers to proactively ask and get everything in writing. In the absence of a posted price list, one should assume that credit card processing with Clover involves a monthly service fee plus transaction fees, and possibly ancillary fees, and thus due diligence is required.

The cost of Clover can be reasonable if you work a reputable reseller, but it can also be higher than expected if, for example, a reseller pads the rates or includes other undisclosed fees. We recommend comparing offers and choosing a well-reviewed Clover reseller to ensure you get fair pricing. Always double-check the contract for cancellation terms before signing, and don’t hesitate to negotiate or seek clarification on any fee that isn’t clearly explained.

Lawsuits & Legal History

In terms of legal and regulatory issues, Clover as a brand has largely avoided high-profile lawsuits over its business practices. A review of public records and industry analyses shows no significant class-action lawsuits or Federal Trade Commission enforcement actions directly accusing Clover of fraud or malfeasance in its merchant services. However, Clover has not been entirely free of legal entanglements. One notable case emerged in recent years involving unsolicited text message marketing. In 2024, Clover Network LLC agreed to settle a TCPA (Telephone Consumer Protection Act) class-action lawsuit alleging that Clover (or its business clients using Clover’s system) sent promotional text messages to consumers without proper consent. The class action claimed that people on the national Do Not Call registry received marketing texts about Clover’s products or merchants, even though they had no prior business relationship, in violation of telemarketing laws. Without admitting wrongdoing, Clover settled the case by establishing a fund of up to $15 million, which was enough to pay around $60 in cash to each affected individual who filed a valid claim.

Aside from the texting lawsuit, there is little documentation of other major legal actions specifically against Clover. Industry observers note that no major class-action suits for issues like fraud, misrepresentation, or antitrust have been publicly recorded against the company to date. It appears that many grievances (such as those about fees or service) are handled via customer complaints to agencies, rather than through lawsuits.

Clover’s parent, Fiserv, being a large financial entity, does attract occasional legal scrutiny, but nothing in the past few years suggests a direct legal threat to the Clover product line’s continuity. The lack of lawsuits could indicate that Clover has largely operated within the bounds of the law, or simply that dissatisfied customers find it more practical to switch providers and move on, rather than litigate. In any case, prospective Clover users should still be vigilant.

Employee Reviews & Sales Practices

Clover’s marketing and sales practices are heavily influenced by its distribution model. Unlike companies that sell directly to end users, Clover relies primarily on a multifaceted sales network of resellers. Fiserv deploys Clover through its own salesforce in some cases, but significantly through independent agents and partner companies that integrate Clover into their offerings. A small business owner might encounter Clover when talking to their bank about opening a merchant account, or via a third-party merchant services broker. This setup means Clover’s sales experience can vary widely. A merchant who gets Clover from a top-tier bank might experience a very professional sales and onboarding process, whereas one who buys from an aggressive independent sales office could face high-pressure tactics. Indeed, Clover is so ubiquitous in the payments industry now that if you already process credit cards, there is a good chance that your merchant account provider can sell you a Clover product.

The marketing message around Clover typically emphasizes its modern, user-friendly design and the backing of Fiserv (a reassuring point for some, given Fiserv’s size). Clover is often pitched as a way for merchants to upgrade from outdated cash registers or simple terminals to a full POS system that can “help your business thrive,” with claims of being secure and easy to use (24/7 support is a selling point touted in Clover’s materials). However, because independent resellers have leeway in how they sell Clover, there have been reports of inconsistent transparency. For instance, some sales agents may not volunteer information about contract cancellation fees or may promise savings that don’t materialize. The company’s profile indicates that while outright deceptive marketing (“bait-and-switch” tactics) isn’t Clover’s official policy, important terms are not always disclosed upfront by all resellers. Clover’s own documentation urges customers to review terms, implicitly acknowledging that the experience depends on the honesty of the sales partner.

What Employees Say

Insights from employees and insiders echo the idea that Clover’s marketing machine is powerful but not flawless. An employee review from a Fiserv regional sales director candidly noted that Clover is a greatplatform with strong brand recognition, but also pointed out cons such as “the same internal and external client support issues” and “increasingly poor client reviews due to more transactional selling.” This suggests that even within the company, there is awareness of a shift toward a sales-driven culture that might be prioritizing quick deals over customer care. The mention of “transactional selling” implies some sales reps focus on pushing terminals out the door without ensuring the solution truly fits the client’s needs, which can lead to unhappy customers down the road. Additionally, the employee highlighted disparities in how leads are distributed and how some sales leaders “choose winners and losers,” hinting at internal competition and possibly uneven support for clients.

From a marketing standpoint, Clover benefits from Fiserv’s massive reach and credibility (for example, Clover devices are displayed at Sam’s Club and Restaurant Depot, showing how deeply the product has penetrated the small business market). But the flip side is that Clover’s reputation is at the mercy of third parties. One reseller using overly aggressive cold-calling or failing to support their merchants can tarnish the Clover brand’s image. Indeed, several of the customer complaints about feeling “lied to” likely trace back to the independent agents who sold them the system.

Clover Competitors

Compare Clover to competitors that earned top marks.

Pricing

Bottom Line

Clover emerges as a double-edged sword in the payments industry. On one side, it is a feature-rich, innovative POS platform backed by one of the world’s largest payment companies. It offers merchants a seamless blend of hardware and software, which can greatly simplify running a small business. Many users appreciate the all-in-one convenience Clover provides, replacing clunky cash registers and separate card readers with a modern integrated system. The company’s broad presence (thanks to Fiserv’s network) means that obtaining a Clover system is relatively easy. In both the U.S. and Canada, Clover has become a familiar name at coffee shops, retail boutiques, and restaurants, symbolizing the modernization of checkout counters.

On the other side of the sword is Clover’s challenging reputation around service and cost. Our research found a consistent thread of merchant frustrations: customer service that can be slow or unhelpful, fees that end up higher than expected, and occasional technology hiccups that can disrupt business operations. Importantly, because of Clover’s sales structure, a merchant’s experience can hinge on which reseller or bank is involved. Clover is not a uniform experience; a fact both its champions and critics agree on. A savvy business owner who secures Clover through a reputable provider might enjoy reliable equipment, straightforward rates, and solid support. Another business, unfortunately tied to an aggressive sales agent or a less scrupulous ISO, might end up overpaying for that same equipment and struggling with subpar customer support. Thus, Clover can be transformative in a positive way for some, and a source of regret for others.

Read Actual User Reviews

See User Reviews Write a Review

All user reviews have been moved to our partner, PaymentPop.com

Contact Clover

Contact & Customer Support
CEO and Chairman	Frank Bisignano
Headquarters	15 N Mathilda Ave, Sunnyvale, California 94085
Sales Inquiries	(855) 608-4305
U.S. Customer Support	(855) 853-8340
Additional Support Channels	Live Chat
Website	clover.com

About Us

CardPaymentOptions.com

Established 2009

My name is Phillip Parker, and I started this website back in 2009 as a simple blog to call out shady credit card processors that were taking advantage of small business owners. At the time, I had no idea this side project would grow into a leading voice pushing for transparency and integrity in the payment processing industry. I also didn't anticipate just how far some of these companies' owners would go to try to silence me.

I was recruited out of college for a sales role with a credit card processor. At the time, I didn't realize the “training” was really about tricking me... into selling business owners expensive processing with hidden fees and long-term service agreements. In my first few sales, I unknowingly cost friends and family thousands of dollars after they trusted me to switch their services. When it finally clicked that something was seriously wrong, I was furious. I quit immediately and made a promise to expose that company and any others operating the same way. That promise is what led to the creation of this website.

As I wrote about these processors, their tactics, and the people behind them, the articles started to spread among business owners. News organizations picked up the stories, readers shared them online, and traffic to the blog took off. Unsurprisingly, that also caught the attention of the companies and individuals I was exposing.

Over the last 17 years, I've received several anonymous death threats and defeated four lawsuits meant to intimidate me into taking my blog down. Their efforts to muzzle me only made my determination to expose them even stronger, leading me to work with state authorities to help shutdown some of the worst offenders.

I'm proud to say that of the millions of people who have read my work, thousands have taken the time to write and thank me for helping them narrowly avoid a very costly mistake. This blog has played a small role in pushing the industry toward more ethical practices - but there are still bad actors out there, which means the work isn't done.

If I can offer one piece of advice, it's this: get every promise in writing, and take the time to review contracts carefully. Tools like ChatGPT can help surface red flags and uncover expensive surprises buried in the fine print.

If you've made it this far, thank you for reading. I truly appreciate you being here, and I wish you every success with your business.

Our Research Methodology

Pricing & Fees

We analyze all costs including rate structures (interchange-plus, tiered, flat-rate, etc), monthly fees, equipment costs, early termination fees, and hidden charges. This data is gathered from service agreements, statements and client feedback.

Features & Technology

Evaluation of POS systems, e-commerce integrations, mobile capabilities, reporting tools, recurring billing..., and developer resources. When possible, we directly test services and hardware. Otherwise, we rely on client feedback and public information.

Customer Support

We evaluate availability across phone, email, chat, and social channels. Measuring hold times, night and weekend availability, and client feedback regarding effectiveness, professionalism, and resolution rates.

Contract Terms & Conditions

We review service agreements and equipment contracts for reasonability, transparency, and fairness. We focus on uncovering any predatory clauses, such as unjustified early termination fees, hidden costs, and unclear cancellation policies.

User Experience

We comb the internet and interview current and former clients to evaluate the overall user experience and identify any common pain points that may impact the user experience.

Sales & Marketing Practices

We evaluate sales tactics, marketing materials, and client feedback to determine the level of transparency and ethical nature of the provider's approach. Does the provider publicly disclose pricing? Do they use teaser rates? We score based on these and other factors.

Processor Leaderboard

Merchant Education

More Merchant Education

Popular Reviews

See All Reviews