In today’s fast-paced business environment, choosing the right point-of-sale (POS) system is crucial for streamlining operations and enhancing customer experiences. Among the leading contenders in the market, Clover and Toast stand out for their distinct features and capabilities tailored to different industries.
Clover offers a versatile and customizable POS solution suitable for various businesses, from retail to services, while Toast focuses specifically on the restaurant sector, providing specialized tools for managing food orders, online reservations, and customer engagement.
When choosing a point-of-sale (POS) system for your business, Clover and Toast are two popular options to consider. Both systems have their own strengths and weaknesses, making them suitable for different types of businesses.
This comparative guide explores the key aspects of both systems, helping you determine which POS solution aligns best with your business needs and operational goals.
Overview of Clover and Toast
Clover
- Clover is a versatile POS system suitable for a variety of industries, including retail, restaurants, and service-based businesses. It offers multiple hardware options, customizable software, and an app marketplace for additional functionalities.
- Owned by Fiserv, Clover provides integrated payment processing and is known for its user-friendly interface.
Toast
- Toast is specifically designed for the restaurant industry, offering a comprehensive suite of tools tailored to restaurants, including online ordering, delivery, and customer loyalty features.
- Toast is cloud-based, enabling easy access and management from anywhere, and its hardware is designed to withstand the demands of a restaurant environment.
Key Comparison Aspects
1. Target Market
- Clover:
- Suitable for a wide range of businesses, including retail shops, restaurants, and service providers.
- Offers flexibility in features and hardware options.
- Toast:
- Tailored specifically for restaurants, bars, and cafes.
- Provides specialized features for food service operations, such as menu management and online ordering.
2. Hardware Options
- Clover:
- Offers various hardware options, including Clover Station (full register), Clover Mini (compact terminal), and Clover Go (mobile card reader).
- Flexible hardware configurations that can fit various business sizes and types.
- Toast:
- Provides a robust hardware solution with options like Toast Terminal (a touchscreen register) and Toast Go (mobile POS).
- Designed to handle restaurant-specific needs, such as ruggedness and ease of cleaning.
3. Software Features
- Clover:
- Customizable software with a marketplace of apps for various functionalities (inventory, employee management, reporting).
- Supports multiple payment types, including contactless and mobile wallets.
- Toast:
- Comprehensive restaurant management software with features like menu management, online ordering, delivery management, and customer relationship management.
- Strong analytics and reporting tools to help restaurants track performance.
4. Ease of Use
- Clover:
- User-friendly interface with intuitive navigation.
- Training resources available for staff onboarding.
- Toast:
- Designed for restaurant staff with simple, efficient workflows.
- Provides in-depth training and support tailored for restaurant operations.
5. Payment Processing
- Clover:
- Integrated payment processing through Fiserv, allowing businesses to accept various payment methods.
- Competitive transaction fees, but varies based on the chosen plan.
- Toast:
- Also offers integrated payment processing with transparent pricing.
- Transaction fees may be higher than Clover, but this is often offset by the additional restaurant-specific features.
6. Pricing
- Clover:
- Offers flexible pricing plans, starting from a monthly subscription fee plus transaction fees.
- Costs can vary significantly depending on the selected hardware and additional apps.
- There Clover POS pricing starts at $13/mo
- Toast:
- Generally has higher upfront costs due to the need for restaurant-specific hardware.
- Monthly subscription fees based on restaurant size and needs, with transparent pricing structures.
- The pricing of Toast POS starts at $69/mo
7. Customer Support
- Clover:
- Provides customer support via phone, email, and online resources.
- Community forums available for peer support.
- Toast:
- 24/7 customer support with dedicated restaurant support specialists.
- Extensive online resources, including tutorials and forums.
Our Recommendations
When to Choose Clover:
- Business Type: If you run a retail business or a service-based operation, Clover’s versatility and extensive app marketplace may be more beneficial.
- Hardware Needs: If you need a variety of hardware options that can be tailored to different environments (e.g., retail vs. service).
- Budget Considerations: If you have a limited budget, Clover offers a range of pricing options that can fit smaller businesses without sacrificing functionality.
When to Choose Toast:
- Business Type: If you operate a restaurant, bar, or café, Toast’s features are specifically designed for the food service industry, making it the ideal choice.
- Focus on Delivery and Online Ordering: If your business relies heavily on online orders and delivery, Toast provides robust tools for managing these aspects efficiently.
- Comprehensive Support Needs: If you prefer having dedicated support with extensive training resources tailored to restaurant operations.
Conclusion
Choosing between Clover and Toast ultimately depends on the specific needs of your business. Clover offers flexibility and adaptability for various types of businesses, while Toast provides a comprehensive suite of features designed specifically for the restaurant industry. Consider your operational needs, budget, and long-term goals when making your decision to ensure you select the POS system that aligns best with your business objectives.
