Clover POS Cost & Pricing in 2025: Hardware, Clover Fees, and Processing—Without the Confusion
Clover POS Cost, Clover POS Pricing, Clover Fees, and Clover Processing Fees—if you’ve Googled any of these, you’ve probably seen wildly different numbers. That’s because most prices come from different resellers (ISOs), not Clover directly, and each ISO structures deals differently. Below is the straight talk on what’s current, what’s phased out, what’s a red flag, and how to avoid paying way more than you should.
Current Clover Models (What’s Safe to Buy)
Clover has released several generations. The latest, actively supported systems you should focus on:
Clover Station Duo Gen. 2
Clover Station Solo
Clover Mini Gen. 3
Clover Flex Pocket
Clover Flex Gen. 4
Clover Compact
Clover Go Bluetooth Gen. 3
Still acceptable but older:
Clover Station Duo Gen. 1
Clover Flex Gen. 3
Everything else? Consider it phased out: no software patching and no support from Clover. If a deal looks too cheap, it often means used/refurbished or discontinued hardware. That’s why the “amazing price” you saw might come back to haunt you when you need help.
Clover Phased-Out Models (Avoid)
Phased-out Clover hardware can look like a deal, but the trade-offs are real: no ongoing patches, limited support, and compatibility gaps with Clover’s newer software plans and features. They might work now, but upgrading is inevitable. If the price seems too good to be true, it often is one of these models:
Clover Station 1.0
Clover Station 2.0
Clover Station Pro
Clover Mini Gen. 1
Clover Mini Gen. 2 (Wi-Fi & LTE)
Clover Flex Gen. 1
Clover Flex Gen. 2 (Wi-Fi & LTE)
Clover Mobile
If you’re unsure whether a Clover system is phased out, check its serial number—this is the easiest way to confirm the model. The following serial-number prefixes indicate legacy/phased-out units: C010, C050, C053, C030, C031, C032, C132, C041, C042, C142, C043, C020, C021. Merchants using these older models may face limited support and, in some cases, additional fees until they upgrade—confirm current policies with the ISO.
Real-World Hardware Pricing (Typical Going Rates)
To ground your expectations, here’s what new hardware typically runs to purchase up-front:
Clover Station Duo Gen. 2 – ~$1,800
Clover Station Solo – ~$1,600
Clover Mini Gen. 3 – ~$800
Clover Flex Pocket – ~$550
Clover Flex Gen. 4 – ~$600
Clover Compact - ~$275
Clover Go Bluetooth - ~$120
Clover Go Bluetooth w/ Dock - ~$200
Clover Self Ordering Kiosk - ~$3,300
Clover KDS 24” - ~$700
Clover KDS 14” - ~$520
Pro tip: If you can afford it, buy hardware upfront. It gives you leverage to negotiate a better processing rate and keeps you out of ugly leases. If you can’t afford a lump sum, see if you can get an installment plan.
Why Prices Vary: ISOs & “Free” Hardware
Clover is sold through ISOs (independent sales organizations). ISOs make their money on payment processing, not just on the POS hardware—so many offers include discounted or “free” devices. Sometimes that’s legit (especially if you process a healthy monthly volume); other times it’s used/refurb gear, the wrong model, or tied to higher processing costs.
Who typically gets what?
Established, higher-volume merchants can often qualify for brand-new, full-size systems (e.g., Clover Station Duo, Station Solo, or Mini Gen 3) for $0 down. The ISO recoups the cost over time through processing.
New businesses without processing history are usually offered a free Clover Flex, Clover Compact, or Clover Go to get started.
The catch to watch for:
Even when the hardware is new, the ISO will make its money back somewhere. If your volume is low, that “somewhere” is often:
Higher processing rates (flat ~4–5% or padded markups)
Monthly minimums (you pay the difference if fees don’t hit a set threshold)
Miscellaneous fees (PCI, regulatory, non-cash adjustment, etc.)
Long terms & ETFs (early termination fees) or lease obligations
Bottom line: A cheap (or free) POS up front can hide expensive processing later. Some merchants end up near ~6% effective cost per transaction after accepting free hardware and signing a long-term contract.
Before you accept “free” hardware, get these in writing:
Exact model & generation (new vs. used/refurb; supported and not phased-out)
Processing plan & pricing (cash discount/dual pricing vs. interchange-plus, and the actual markup)
All monthly/annual fees (PCI, statement, regulatory, etc.)
Monthly minimums (amount and how calculated)
Contract term and ETF (early termination fee)
Whether any lease is involved (and total cost of ownership)
Contracts, ETFs, and Why Month-to-Month Matters
When hardware is discounted, read the agreement carefully:
Contract term: Ask for the exact length (in months).
Early termination fee (ETF): Get the dollar amount in writing. Some report very high cancellation fees—even after buying hardware outright.
Push for month-to-month with no termination fee. Most ISO’s will require a contract with Free or Discounted hardware, but not always.
Avoid Long Leases (Here’s the Math)
Leasing sounds painless—until it isn’t.
Example: $150/month × 48 months = $7,200 for a POS you could have bought for $1,800. And you may not own it at the end. Many leases roll forward, sometimes with an “upgrade” pitch. If you can, buy. Most ISO’s offer payment plans, this is usually recommended over hardware leasing.
Also, on top of these expensive lease payments, you will be expected to choose and pay for one of Clover’s Software Plans.
Compare Clover Software Plans & Features
Clover POS Cost / Clover POS Pricing quick reference: use this side-by-side to understand monthly Clover Software Fees and Clover Software Features before you choose hardware. You can upgrade, downgrade, and switch software plans anytime.
| Plan | Monthly Price | Devices & Compatibility | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $0.00 / mo |
Includes 1 device +$11.95/mo each additional* Works on: Clover Mini, Flex, Flex Pocket, Compact, Go |
|
| Starter | $0.00 / mo |
Up to 1 device +$11.95/mo each additional* Works on: Clover Mini, Flex, Flex Pocket, Compact, Go |
|
| Essentials | $29.95 / mo |
Up to 1 device +$11.95/mo each additional* Works on: All Clover devices except Clover Compact (e.g., Mini, Flex, Flex Pocket, Station Solo, Station Duo Gen. 2, Go) |
|
| Retail Growth | $84.95 / mo |
Includes 1 device +$19.95/mo each additional* Works on: All Clover devices except Clover Compact. Some features unavailable with Clover Go. |
|
| Services Growth | $84.95 / mo |
Includes 1 device +$19.95/mo each additional* Works on: All Clover devices except Clover Compact. Some features unavailable with Clover Go. |
|
| Restaurant Growth | $89.95 / mo |
Includes 1 device +$19.95/mo each additional* Works on: All Clover devices except Clover Compact. Some features unavailable with Clover Go. Includes add-on access to KDS, Kitchen Printer, Self Ordering Kiosk |
|
* Device add-on fees depend on plan tier ($11.95/mo for Healthcare/Starter/Essentials; $19.95/mo for Retail Growth/Services Growth/Restaurant Growth). Pricing/features may change; taxes and third-party services are additional. To see a more detailed software service matrix, click here.
Clover Processing Fees: Cash Discount vs. Interchange-Plus
Clover Processing Fees vary by ISO. Here are the two big structures you’ll see:
1) “FREE Processing” (Cash Discount / Dual Pricing / Surcharging)
There is always a fee to accept credit cards - either you pay it yourself, or you can pass it to your customer.
You’ll often see a 4% add-on to card transactions that’s passed to the customer.
This can save you money, but don’t accept 4% blindly. Depending on your average ticket and transaction mix, that number is negotiable.
You may be able to negotiate a lower rate charged to you, yet you still pass a flat % to your customers.
In many ‘Free Clover Hardware’ offers, eligibility hinges on enrolling in a cash-discount/dual-pricing program.
2) Wholesale / Interchange-Plus (Usually the Cheapest)
You pay the direct wholesale rate from Visa/MC/Discover/Amex + a small markup.
It’s more transparent and almost always cheaper long-term than flat “free hardware” plans.
Heads-up on cash flow: Fees are billed once monthly (not deducted daily).
You’ll need funds in the account at the start of the month to cover last month’s fees.
The upside: bank deposits match your daily batch totals, making reconciliation much easier.
Limelight Payments: Clear Promos, Real Support
Our current promo structure:
Process $50k+/mo → One Free Clover Station Duo Gen. 2
Process $20k+/mo → One Free Clover Mini Gen. 3
New/Under $20k → One Free Clover Flex Gen. 4, Clover Compact, or Clover Go
Need multiple systems and process well over $20k/$50k? Ask for a custom free-hardware package.
How we’re different:
Most ISOs push you to generic Clover support. We don’t. At Limelight Payments, you get one rep who handles:
Account setup & installation
Menu/item builds & staff training
Ongoing, text-or-call support for reports, deposits, fee questions—whatever you need
We wont hold you hostage, if you’re unhappy our goal is to get you a POS system that’s right for you.
Your job is to run your business. Our job is to run the POS.
If you are interested in learning more details about Limelight Payments’ Clover Promotions, Processing Fees, and Overall Costs:
Call Us Today at 888 415-7020
Email Us Today at info@limelightpayments.com
Conclusion: Get the Best Clover POS Cost, Pricing & Fees
At the end of the day, Clover POS Cost, Clover POS Pricing, Clover Fees, and Clover Processing Fees come down to choosing updated Clover POS generations, knowing your contract (term + ETF), and choosing a transparent processing plan. If an offer looks too good to be true, it probably is—buy the right model when you can, negotiate processing, and avoide leasing if possible. Most importantly, work with a reputable ISO that provides one-on-one support.
FAQs: Clover POS Pricing, Plans & Devices
Which Clover models are current vs. phased out?
Current: Station Duo Gen. 2, Station Solo, Mini Gen. 3, Flex Pocket, Flex Gen. 4, Clover Compact, Clover Go Bluetooth 3 Acceptable older: Station Duo Gen. 1, Flex Gen. 3. Phased out (avoid): Station 1.0/2.0; Clover Station Pro; Mini Gen. 1/Gen. 2 (Wi-Fi & LTE); Flex Gen. 1; Flex Gen. 2 (Wi-Fi & LTE).
How much do the devices typically cost?
Approximate new pricing: Station Duo Gen. 2 ≈ $1,800; Station Solo ≈ $1,600; Mini Gen. 3 ≈ $800; Flex Pocket ≈ $550; Flex Gen. 4 ≈ $600; Compact ≈ $275; Go 3 ≈ $120. Pricing varies by ISO, bundle, and promos.
Are “free hardware” deals legit?
They can be—especially for established businesses with healthy volume. In many free hardware offers, eligibility hinges on enrolling in a cash-discount/dual-pricing program. Always verify model generation, contract term, and ETF in writing.
Lease or buy?
Buying usually wins long-term. A $150/mo lease for 48 months totals $7,200 for hardware that might cost ≈ $1,800—and you may not own it at the end. Remember: the lease fee is in addition to monthly software fees.
Cash discount vs. interchange-plus—what’s the difference?
Cash discount / dual pricing / surcharging: often quoted around 4% passed to customers on card transactions—negotiate that rate. Interchange-plus: wholesale + small markup, usually cheaper over time; fees bill monthly in one lump (not daily), which often makes reconciliation easier.
Which software plans work on which devices?
Healthcare and Starter work on Clover Mini, Clover Flex, Clover Compact, and Clover Go. All other plans (Essentials, Retail Growth, Services Growth, Restaurant Growth) work on all Clover devices except for Clover Compact.
Do extra devices and apps add monthly cost?
Many plans include one device; additional devices are commonly $11.95 or $19.95 per month depending on tier. Many ISO's do not quote these Clover software fees, as they are billed separately not by the ISO
Can I get month-to-month terms?
Often yes—especially if you’re not taking FREE hardware or a hardware discount. Ask for no ETF and month-to-month terms.
