Clover vs Heartland
Clover (Fiserv) and Heartland (Global Payments) are both sold through resellers rather than direct. Your experience depends heavily on which reseller you work with. The underlying products are both solid—Clover for versatile retail, Heartland for restaurants.
Our Verdict
Clover wins for most businesses—more modern software, larger app ecosystem, and better known. Heartland wins for restaurants wanting local service relationships and businesses who value the breach warranty.
Best for:
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Clover | Heartland | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sales model | Resellers (Fiserv) | Resellers (Global Payments) | Tie |
| Hardware quality | Excellent | Good | Clover |
| Software/apps | Large app marketplace | Built-in features | Clover |
| Price transparency | Varies by reseller | Varies by reseller | Tie |
| Breach warranty | Varies | Included | Heartland |
| Payroll add-on | Via third-party | Heartland Payroll | Heartland |
| Local support | Via reseller | Via reseller | Tie |
| Restaurant features | Via apps | Built-in | Heartland |
Clover
Pros
- ✓Premium hardware design
- ✓Large app ecosystem
- ✓More modern interface
- ✓Better known brand
Cons
- ✗Reseller pricing games
- ✗Contract complexity
- ✗Support varies by reseller
Heartland
Pros
- ✓Breach warranty included
- ✓Payroll integration
- ✓Restaurant focus
- ✓Local rep relationships
Cons
- ✗Less modern interface
- ✗Aggressive sales reputation
- ✗Contract complexity
In-Depth Analysis
The Reseller Reality
Both systems have the same fundamental challenge: your reseller sets your price, contract terms, and service level. A good Clover reseller beats a bad Heartland reseller, and vice versa. Get multiple quotes, read contracts carefully, and never lease hardware.
Breach Warranty Value
Heartland's breach warranty covers certain costs if you experience a data breach while using their compliant systems. It's real protection with real value. Clover's breach coverage depends on your reseller agreement. If security concerns keep you up at night, factor this in.
Hardware and Software
Clover's hardware is more attractive and the app marketplace gives you flexibility. Heartland's hardware is functional and the built-in features are solid. Neither is bad—Clover is just more polished.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I avoid getting ripped off by a reseller?
Get 3+ quotes, never lease equipment (buy outright), understand interchange-plus vs tiered pricing, and read every page of the contract. If a deal sounds too good, find the catch. Walk away from high-pressure sales.
Can I switch resellers with the same hardware?
Usually not easily. Clover and Heartland hardware is typically locked to the original reseller's processing. Switching often means new hardware. Factor this lock-in into your decision.