Clover Fees Explained: Complete 2026 Guide (+ How to Pay $0)
Clover's pricing is notoriously confusing—hardware bundles, software tiers, reseller markups, and 36-month contracts. Here's what you actually pay and how to eliminate fees entirely.
Clover charges 2.3%-2.6% + 10¢ per in-person transaction and 3.5% + 10¢ for keyed-in payments. Monthly software fees range from $14.95 to $310+ depending on your plan. Unlike Square, Clover requires 36-month contracts with early termination fees of $500+. Chargeback fees are $20-$50 per dispute.
📋 Table of Contents
- What Are Clover's Fees in 2026?
- Clover Software Plans & Monthly Fees
- Clover Hardware Costs
- How Much Does Clover Actually Cost?
- Clover vs. Other Payment Processors
- Hidden Clover Fees Most Merchants Miss
- 7 Ways to Reduce Your Clover Fees
- How to Eliminate Clover Fees Entirely
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Clover's Fees in 2026?
Clover's fee structure is more complex than competitors like Square or Stripe because it bundles hardware, software, and processing together. Rates also vary depending on whether you buy from Clover directly or through a reseller.
Processing Fees by Plan Type
| Business Type | In-Person Rate | Keyed-In Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant (all tiers) | 2.3% + 10¢ | 3.5% + 10¢ |
| Retail (Standard/Advanced) | 2.5% + 10¢ | 3.5% + 10¢ |
| Retail (Starter/Basic) | 2.6% + 10¢ | 3.5% + 10¢ |
| Personal/Professional Services | 2.5% + 10¢ | 3.5% + 10¢ |
| Home & Field Services | 2.6% + 10¢ | 3.5% + 10¢ |
Additional Clover Fees
| Fee Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Chargeback fee | $20-$50 |
| Third-party processor integration | $25/month |
| Additional device software license | $14.95/month each |
| Kitchen Display System (KDS) | $25/month per device |
| PCI non-compliance fee | $19.99-$99/month |
| Early termination fee | $500+ (remaining balance) |
| App marketplace add-ons | $0-$99+/month each |
Unlike Square (no contracts) or Stripe (month-to-month), Clover requires 36-month contracts. Cancel early and you owe the remaining balance—often $500+. Always read the fine print before signing.
Clover Software Plans & Monthly Fees
Clover bundles software with hardware in tiered plans. Here's what each tier costs:
Restaurant Plans
| Plan | Monthly (36-mo) | Hardware Included |
|---|---|---|
| Quick Service Starter | $135/mo or $849 + $89.95/mo | Clover Mini |
| Quick Service Standard | $200/mo or $1,799 + $89.95/mo | Station Solo |
| Quick Service Advanced | $310/mo or $4,097 + $114.85/mo | Station Duo + Flex |
| Full Service Starter | $165/mo or $1,699 + $84.95/mo | Station Solo |
| Full Service Standard | $225/mo or $1,799 + $99.90/mo | Station Duo |
| Full Service Advanced | $354/mo or $3,448 + $134.85/mo | Station Duo + Flex |
Retail Plans
| Plan | Monthly (36-mo) | Hardware Included |
|---|---|---|
| Retail Starter | $180/mo or $1,799 + $84.95/mo | Clover Mini |
| Retail Standard | $205/mo or $1,799 + $99.90/mo | Station Duo |
| Retail Advanced | $240/mo or $2,648 + $104.90/mo | Station Duo |
Other Plans
| Plan | Monthly Fee |
|---|---|
| Payments Only (Virtual Terminal) | $14.95/mo (no POS features) |
| Personal/Professional Services | $29.95-$84.95/mo |
| Home & Field Services | $29.95-$84.95/mo |
Clover Hardware Costs
If you buy hardware upfront (instead of bundling), here's what you'll pay:
| Device | Price (Upfront) | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Clover Go (mobile reader) | $49 | Mobile/pop-up businesses |
| Clover Flex (handheld) | $599-$649 | Tableside/delivery |
| Clover Mini (compact POS) | $799-$849 | Small counters |
| Clover Station Solo | $1,699 | Single-screen setup |
| Clover Station Duo | $1,799-$1,899 | Dual-screen (merchant + customer) |
| Clover KDS 14" | $799 | Kitchen display |
| Clover KDS 24" | $899 | Kitchen display (large) |
If you can afford it, purchase hardware outright. It gives you negotiating leverage for better processing rates and keeps you out of expensive 36-month leases that can cost 2-3x the hardware value.
How Much Does Clover Actually Cost? (Real Examples)
Let's calculate total costs including hardware, software, and processing for real businesses.
Example 1: Quick Service Restaurant
Monthly sales: $30,000 • Average ticket: $15 • Transactions: 2,000/month • Plan: QSR Standard
Example 2: Retail Boutique
Monthly sales: $20,000 • Average ticket: $75 • Transactions: 267/month • Plan: Retail Standard
Example 3: Full Service Restaurant
Monthly sales: $50,000 • Average ticket: $45 • Transactions: 1,111/month • Plan: Full Service Advanced
Clover Fees vs. Other Payment Processors
How does Clover stack up against the competition?
| Processor | In-Person | Monthly Fee | Contract | Chargeback |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clover | 2.3-2.6% + 10¢ | $14.95-$354 | 36 months | $20-$50 |
| Square | 2.6% + 15¢ | $0-$149 | None | $0 |
| Stripe | 2.7% + 5¢ | $0 | None | $15 |
| Toast | 2.49-2.99% + 15¢ | $0-$165 | 24 months | $25 |
| PayPal Zettle | 2.29% + 9¢ | $0 | None | $15-$30 |
| Helcim | 1.93% + 8¢ avg | $0 | None | $15 |
Clover has the lowest per-transaction rate for restaurants (2.3% + 10¢), but the mandatory monthly fees and 36-month contracts can make it more expensive overall. Not sure what a good rate looks like? See our guide on what's a good rate for credit card processing.
Hidden Clover Fees Most Merchants Miss
1. The 36-Month Contract Lock-In
Unlike Square (no contracts) or Stripe (month-to-month), Clover locks you into 36-month agreements. Cancel early and you owe the remaining balance—often $500-$2,000+.
2. Reseller Markup Roulette
Clover is sold through thousands of independent resellers (ISOs), and pricing varies wildly. Some charge flat rates; others use tiered pricing that can push effective rates to 4-5%. Always get quotes from multiple resellers.
3. Third-Party Processor Fee ($25/month)
Want to use a cheaper interchange-plus processor instead of Clover's flat rate? That'll cost you an extra $25/month "integration fee"—eating into your savings.
4. PCI Non-Compliance Fees
Miss your annual PCI compliance survey? Some Clover resellers charge $19.99-$99/month until you complete it. Set a calendar reminder.
5. App Marketplace Creep
Clover's 200+ app marketplace sounds great, but many essential apps cost extra. QuickBooks integration, advanced loyalty programs, and scheduling tools can add $10-$99/month each.
6. Chargeback Fees ($20-$50)
Unlike Square's $0 chargeback fee, Clover charges $20-$50 per dispute. High-risk businesses beware.
7. Rolling Reserve Holds
New accounts or businesses with high chargeback rates may have 5-10% of sales held in reserve for 90-180 days. This can seriously impact cash flow.
7 Ways to Reduce Your Clover Fees
Looking to lower your credit card processing fees? Here are strategies for Clover users:
1. Buy Hardware Upfront
Avoid 36-month leases by purchasing hardware outright. A $1,799 Station Duo on a lease can cost $7,200+ over 36 months. Buying upfront also gives you negotiating leverage.
2. Negotiate Interchange-Plus Pricing
If you process $10K+/month, ask for interchange-plus pricing through resellers like Dharma Merchant Services or Payment Depot. You'll pay actual interchange costs plus a small markup (0.15-0.25% + 10¢) instead of flat rates. Learn more in our guide on how to negotiate processing fees.
3. Choose the Right Reseller
Not all Clover resellers are created equal. Avoid long-term contracts and tiered pricing. Get quotes from 3-5 resellers before committing.
4. Minimize Keyed-In Transactions
Keyed-in payments cost 3.5% + 10¢—over 1% more than card-present. Always use the card reader when possible.
5. Skip Unnecessary Apps
That $29/month loyalty app sounds nice, but do you actually use it? Audit your Clover App Marketplace subscriptions quarterly.
6. Stay PCI Compliant
Complete your annual PCI survey on time to avoid $20-$100/month non-compliance fees.
7. Consider Dual Pricing
Pass processing fees to customers who pay with cards. More on this below—it can eliminate 100% of your fees.
How to Eliminate Clover Fees Entirely
Here's what most guides won't tell you: you don't have to pay processing fees at all.
The Dual Pricing Solution
Dual pricing (also called cash discounting) lets you display two prices. Card customers pay the posted price (which includes the processing fee), while cash customers get a discount.
What Your Customer Sees at Checkout
Standard price
Cash discount
Is Dual Pricing Legal?
Yes. The 2013 Durbin Amendment and subsequent court rulings allow merchants to pass credit card fees to customers. However:
- You must follow card network rules (Visa, Mastercard)
- You must disclose pricing clearly at point of sale
- Some states have specific requirements
Learn more ways to reduce costs in our guide on how to save on credit card processing fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
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