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Toast and Clover can both run a restaurant, but the right choice depends on your service model, required devices, payment terms, and the exact quote—not a headline monthly price. For a useful comparison, match the same locations, terminals, handhelds, and payment volume, then verify which features are included, which require add-ons, and who supports any integrations.
This US-market comparison uses Toast’s September 17, 2026 comparison of its Restaurant Platform with Clover’s Restaurant Growth plan, plus each company’s product and terms pages. Toast’s comparison does not cover Clover Sport, Clover Reserve, or other Clover products; reseller terms and pricing can also differ.
How do Toast and Clover differ?
Toast presents a restaurant platform with many capabilities offered natively. Clover’s restaurant offering includes core workflows, while some capabilities may come through third-party providers in its App Market. For each required feature, ask whether it is native, an add-on, or an integration; whether it costs extra; how data moves between systems; and which company handles support.
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Toast’s own comparison says, “Toast and Clover both offer cloud-based POS systems, but their approaches to supporting restaurants differ.” That is a vendor’s characterization, not an independent finding. The practical distinction for a buyer is the exact combination of workflows, hardware, payment terms, and support included in the contract.
#1 Best Overall
- Large Touch Screen Display: Features a 17 inch touch screen display monitor for easy navigation and operation
- Complete POS System: Includes PC controller and POS software built in for seamless point of sale management
- Secure Cash Storage: Comes with a cash drawer for safe and organized cash handling during transactions
- Customer Receipt Printer: Equipped with a receipt printer to provide customers with printed transaction receipts
- Kitchen Order Printer: Includes a dedicated kitchen order printer for efficient order management and food preparation (long cord included)
Which system fits your service model and workflow?
Full-service restaurants
Clover’s US full-service bundles list table mapping, open tabs with card pre-authorization, bill splitting, QR-code ordering and payment, tipping, menu management, reporting, tax reporting, employee logins, and shift management. Table-side ordering and firing are listed for Standard and Advanced, but not Starter. Clover also lists pickup and delivery order types and no-fee online ordering; confirm what “no-fee” covers in the proposed configuration and whether other charges apply.
If your staff takes orders or fires items tableside, confirm the required handhelds and bundle tier. If you need kitchen displays, printers, or other kitchen equipment, require those devices and any associated software in both vendors’ written quotes rather than assuming they are included.
Quick service and counter service
For a counter-service operation, map the order path from payment to fulfillment: counter terminal, receipt or kitchen printing, online orders, pickup or delivery, and any customer-facing display. Ask each provider to demonstrate your actual menu and order flow. The available sources do not establish a universal advantage for either platform across all quick-service configurations.
Rank #2
- A complete countertop point of sale — Combine dual responsive touchscreens, built-in POS software, and durable hardware for a fast, reliable checkout experience.
- Serve customers faster — Run smoothly through busy shifts, complex menus, and big orders with high-speed processing, memory, and responsive touchscreen displays.
- Accept every way they pay — Take all major cards at one simple rate, with no hidden fees or long-term contracts. Receive funds as soon as the next business day.
- Handle real-world demands — Resist everyday spills, dust, and wear with a durable, IP54-rated design.
- Stay reliable through every rush — Maintain strong connectivity and consistent performance through your busiest hours.
Multi-location operations and integrations
If you run multiple locations, specify the location count and the functions that must work across them—such as menus, reporting, employee access, and integrations. Toast’s cited entry pricing is for new customers and single locations, so do not apply it automatically to a multi-location quote. Require vendors to identify integration providers, fees, data handoffs, and support responsibility for each required connection.
What hardware is included in Clover’s full-service bundles?
Clover’s current US full-service bundle page lists the following equipment and workflow distinctions. Offers and configurations can change, so verify the items on the quote.
| Bundle | Listed hardware | Listed workflow distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | Station Solo, cash drawer, receipt printer | Restaurant Growth software; table-side ordering and firing are not listed for this tier. |
| Standard | Station Solo, Flex handheld, cash drawer, receipt printer | Table-side ordering and firing are listed. Tapping cards and mobile wallets on Flex is listed. |
| Advanced | Station Solo, Flex handheld, Station Duo with merchant and customer displays, cash drawer, receipt printer | Table-side ordering and firing are listed. Tapping cards and mobile wallets on Flex and Station Duo is listed. |
The bundle table also lists table mapping, open tabs with pre-authorization, bill splitting, QR-code contactless dining, menu functions, third-party menu integrations, reporting, tax reporting, employee logins, and shift management. The exact device and feature configuration should be confirmed in the sales quote.
Rank #3
- Requires Merchant Processing Account through Powering POS. CANNOT be used with different processor. Rate match guarantee. For US, USVI, and PR. Contact us for questions
- Two screens are faster than one: Keep lines moving with a 14” HD display for you and a 8” touch screen for your guests to confirm their order, leave a tip, redeem rewards, pay, and request a digital receipt
- Beauty and brains all-in-one POS: Attractive and easy-to-use hardware with a printer and included cash drawer and all the right software in one system.
- It's totally expandable: Build a system tailored to your needs. Put together multiple countertop and handheld devices with accessories like printers and scanners, and it all works together, seamlessly.
- Easy to use and ready to goStation Duo is ready for work right out of the box, and with intuitive software built in, training your staff is minimal.
Toast’s cited comparison describes its $0 option as including the first hardware terminal subscription, with charges for additional devices; it does not provide a matched device-by-device configuration against Clover’s bundles. Ask Toast to itemize the same terminals, handhelds, printers, displays, and accessories you are pricing from Clover.
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The advertised figures below are vendor-published US pricing statements, not a matched total-cost calculation. Toast’s pricing page was updated August 20, 2026; its comparison page was updated September 17, 2026. Clover’s Restaurant Growth figure is Toast’s description of Clover’s direct restaurant offering, not a general price for every Clover plan or reseller.
| Pricing item | Toast | Clover Restaurant Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Entry software price cited in Toast’s comparison | $69 per month; the comparison describes options at $0 per month with no upfront cost. Pricing is stated for new customers and single locations. | $89.95 per month, as reported on Toast’s comparison page. |
| First device | The cited $0 option includes the first hardware terminal subscription. | The $89.95 monthly figure is described as including the first device subscription, before hardware. |
| Additional devices | Additional device charges apply; the cited pages do not give one universal amount. | $19.95 per month per additional device, as reported on Toast’s comparison page. |
| Card processing | Custom quoted; Toast directs buyers to request a personalized quote. | Charged separately from a subscription; price depends on product and seller or provider. |
Toast’s Pay-as-You-Go option is not cost-free: Toast identifies a platform fee applied per transaction and a two-year agreement. Other flexible payment options may involve financing or sales-based payments. Get the terms for the particular offer in writing instead of treating “$0 per month” as the total cost.
Rank #4
- With Square Terminal, you can ring up sales, accept payments, and print receipts, all with one device. Use it at the counter or ring up customers anywhere in your store.
- Accept all major credit and debit cards and pay one low rate with no hidden fees and no long-term contracts.
- Process chip cards in just two seconds.
- Get your money as soon as the next business day.
- Use it cordlessly with the built-in battery, designed to last all day.
For Clover, the direct pricing page says prices vary by business type, and its full-service bundle page directs prospective buyers to contact sales. Do not apply the comparison’s Restaurant Growth figures to another Clover plan, a reseller arrangement, or a different region.
Build a like-for-like quote
Compare the full operating cost for the same configuration and expected payment mix. Ask each vendor to itemize:
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute- Software and any platform or per-transaction fees.
- Card-present and keyed processing rates, plus fixed per-transaction charges.
- Every terminal, handheld, printer, cash drawer, kitchen display, and accessory, including whether it is purchased, subscribed to, financed, or supplied through another arrangement.
- Required add-ons, third-party integrations, installation, shipping, taxes, and training.
- Contract length, renewal, cancellation, buyout, equipment return or purchase options, and support terms.
Use the same number of locations and devices and the same expected card-present and keyed volume for both quotes. A low monthly software figure alone cannot show which platform will cost less for your restaurant.
Best Value
- Large Touch Screen Display: Features a 19 inch XL touch wide screen display monitor for easy navigation and operation
- Complete POS System: Includes POS controller and POS software built in for seamless point of sale management
- Secure Cash Storage: Comes with a cash drawer for safe and organized cash handling during transactions
- Customer Receipt Printer: Equipped with a receipt printer to provide customers with printed transaction records
- Kitchen Order Printer: Includes a dedicated kitchen order printer for efficient order management and food preparation (25ft cord included)
What contract and exit terms should you check?
Clover states that subscriptions are non-cancelable and ineligible for refunds, though they may be broken during a buyout or upgrade and can be paid off at any time. At the end of the term, Clover says equipment may be purchased or returned. If the customer does not choose, the subscription extends month-to-month at the same monthly charge; Clover says to notify it at least 30 days before the term ends to avoid that continuation.
Clover also says service-provider contract terms and termination fees vary. Because a Clover purchase may be arranged through different sellers or providers, read the actual agreement for the term, early-exit cost, renewal mechanics, buyout amount, and equipment obligations. Toast’s cited comparison identifies a two-year agreement for the Pay-as-You-Go option; verify the term and any financing or sales-based payment obligation attached to your own Toast quote.
How do support and sales channels affect the decision?
Toast’s comparison says US customers can reach Toast support seven days a week, 7 a.m.–12 a.m. Eastern Time. Clover’s broad pricing page separately advertises 24/7 support, while its support channels depend on product and seller. These statements are not directly equivalent promises for every transaction. Ask for the specific support contact, hours, escalation path, and responsibility for third-party integrations in your quote or agreement.
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Clover says its hardware is also available through trusted retailers, including Restaurant Depot and Sam’s Club. It cautions that devices bought or leased from other sellers cannot be used with other payment processors. Before buying through a retailer or marketplace, verify the seller’s authorization, processor compatibility, and any implications for service or warranty; a device’s availability alone does not establish that it will work with your chosen processing setup.
What is the best way to choose?
- Write down mandatory workflows. Note service style, table and tab needs, handheld use, online ordering, kitchen operations, employee management, locations, and required integrations.
- Choose an equivalent hardware layout. Specify each terminal, handheld, printer, display, cash drawer, and accessory for both vendors.
- Request fully itemized quotes. Use identical location counts, device counts, and payment-volume assumptions; include processing, fees, setup, add-ons, and taxes.
- Verify feature ownership. For each required capability, record whether it is native, an add-on, or a third-party integration, what it costs, and who supports it.
- Read the agreement before signing. Check term, renewal, cancellation, buyout, equipment return or purchase, and the exact support obligations for the provider selling the system.
Toast cites average annual gross merchandise value of $1.8 million for its US customers in 2025, based on Toast internal data, and cites IBISWorld’s $1.2 million average revenue for the US restaurant industry in 2025 across more than 858,000 restaurants. Those are different measures and populations, not a controlled comparison; they do not show that using Toast causes higher restaurant revenue.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
