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ShopKeep vs. Clover

This review contains information about a discontinued product.

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Shannon Terrell
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How do ShopKeep and Clover compare?

ShopKeep has been acquired by Lightspeed, a cloud-based omnichannel commerce platform. While existing merchants are able keep their ShopKeep accounts, new merchants will need to sign up for Lightspeed directly.

This article is out of date and no longer being updated. If you’re interested in learning more about Lightspeed, read our full review.

Which should I choose?

Choose ShopKeep if you run a small- to medium-sized business and need a point-of-sale (POS) system for a niche retail or service business like a convenience store, pet store or bakery.

Choose Clover if you run a medium to large storefront or restaurant and don’t mind using First Data as your payment processor.

Overview

ShopKeep specializes in POS solutions for small- to medium-sized brick-and-mortar businesses.

Its software features span niches including retail, restaurant and quick-service businesses. It also offers payment processing with each new merchant account.

Clover is a merchant services provider best known for its sleek proprietary POS terminals. It specializes in software you can customize, and its signature hardware.

You can purchase hardware directly through Clover if you want to sign up for Clover Payments, its bundled payment processing service. But you can also purchase Clover hardware from a number of other providers, including ShopKeep, if you prefer to use a different payment processor.

Products

  • Payment processing
  • POS software
  • POS hardware
  • Inventory tracking
  • Payment processing
  • POS software
  • POS hardware
  • Inventory tracking

Price starts at

Around $69/month + processing fees — but ShopKeep doesn't disclose what it charges for processing

2.7% + 10¢ for in-person payment processing

Contract required?

No

No

Hardware

Third-party

Proprietary

Industries

  • Restaurant
  • Retail
  • Restaurant
  • Retail
  • Service

Pros

  • 24/7 tech support. You can call ShopKeep’s tech support anytime.
  • Monthly billing. No need to sign a contract to access this provider’s merchant services.
  • Supports third-party processors. Use a third-party processor as long as it integrates with ShopKeep’s software.
  • Unlimited users and inventory. ShopKeep’s software supports as many users as you need, and can manage all of the inventory you have.
  • 24/7 tech support. Clover’s tech support is available by phone around the clock.
  • Transparent rates. You’ll find processing rates and monthly software fees easily on its website.
  • Apps. Customize your Clover software with free and paid apps in inventory management, marketing, employee tracking and more.
  • Niche restaurant offerings. Better manage the demands of your restaurant by bundling its Clover Dining app and Counter Service Plus POS.

Cons

  • Lack of transparency. We couldn’t confirm ShopKeep’s rates or fees, even after multiple conversations with customer service requesting more information.
  • Tech support wait time. Customer reviews across the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot cite wait times of 30 minutes or more to speak with tech support.
  • High fees for software. Clover’s software fees start at $14 monthly, but you’ll pay between $69 to $199 a month for ShopKeep’s software.
  • Potential contract. Contracts are not disclosed on its website, but several reviewers say they were roped into a contract when they signed up.
  • Proprietary processing. Hardware systems purchased directly through Clover come with a mandatory First Data merchant account — a provider that has a history of frequent transaction holds and abrasive customer service.
  • Poorly reviewed. Clover’s BBB rating and TrustScore suggest this provider is not well-liked by its customers. Common complaints have surfaced about its hidden PCI-compliance fees and unknowledgeable tech support.

Tools

  • Inventory management. Add, track, update and reorder inventory.
  • Employee management. Manage employees with clock-in, scheduling and labor-tracking features that help you track regular, overtime and double time hours logged.
  • QuickBooks integration. Integrates with your ShopKeep account to balance your books.
  • Loyalty programs. Encourage repeat business with points-based rewards for your customers.
  • App. Track your business’s daily activities through the ShopKeep PocketApp for Android and iOS.
  • Offline payments. Accept payments offline if your Internet is interrupted.
  • Staff management. Manage your staff with the help of sales reports, time clocks and payroll features.
  • Customer management. Build a rewards program, marketing strategy or social media campaign.
  • Virtual terminal. Accept credit and debit card payments on the go by logging into your Clover Web Dashboard from a mobile device, tablet or computer.
  • App market. Add to the scope of your Clover software with free and paid apps across categories, including inventory management, marketing, customer management, employee tracking, invoicing and more.

BBB letter rating

A+

D+

Trustpilot rating

★★★★★

Based on 713 reviews

★★★★★

Based on 242 reviews

Reputation and customer reviews

  • Reviews are: Generally positive — it has 62 BBB complaints but a solid TrustScore based on an extensive set of 713 reviews.
  • Customers praise: Unique POS software features and quick onboarding.
  • Customers complain about: Waiting 30 minutes or more to speak with tech support and buggy hardware.
  • Reviews are: Generally negative — the combination of its BBB rating and low TrustScore make for a disappointing online reputation.
  • Customers praise: Customizable software and clear interfaces.
  • Customers complain about: Unhelpful tech support and transaction holds.

Support

  • Phone. Call 800-820-9814 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and weekends from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., ET.
  • Email. Fill out a secure online form on ShopKeep's website
  • Live chat. Available ShopKeep's website weekdays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Phone. Call 866-330-3392 if you don't have a Clover account. If you have a Clover account, your help number can be found in the Clover Go app. Support is available 24/7.
  • Live chat. Available on Clover's website weekdays 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. EST, and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Bottom line

Both ShopKeep and Clover offer payment processing, 24-hour tech support and ways to tailor your POS software. Clover’s rates are transparent and it has lower software fees, but if you purchase through Clover’s site, you’ll be locked into a First Data merchant account. You’ll pay more to access ShopKeep’s software, but you’re free to use a third-party processor and you won’t need to sign a contract.

Not sure about either of these providers? Review your merchant services options with other providers to find a solution that best fits your business.

Frequently asked questions

What type of device do I need to run ShopKeep’s software?

Businesses can run ShopKeep on an iPad (6th generation), iPad Pro, iPad Mini 4 (running iOS 10 and above) and tablets running Android v5.0 Lollipop and above.

Is ShopKeep available outside the US?

ShopKeep is only available to merchants located in the US and Canada.

Is Clover available outside the US?

Clover is available in the US, Canada, the UK, Germany, Austria, Ireland, the Netherlands and Argentina.

Can I lease Clover’s hardware?

No, but you can pay for its hardware over time by selecting an interest-free payment installment plan.

Does ShopKeep offer Clover hardware?

Yes, you can purchase the Clover Flex, Go and Station through ShopKeep’s website.

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