Shopify vs Clover
Shopify is an e-commerce platform with POS capabilities. Clover is an in-store POS with online ordering. If online is your growth engine, Shopify. If you're primarily brick-and-mortar, Clover. The 'which matters more' question answers this.
Our Verdict
Shopify wins for retail businesses serious about online growth. Clover wins for primarily in-store businesses that just need basic online presence. In an increasingly omnichannel world, Shopify's online strength usually matters more.
Best for:
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Shopify POS | Clover | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-commerce | Best-in-class | Basic | Shopify POS |
| In-store hardware | Good | Excellent | Clover |
| Starting price | $89/mo (Basic + POS Pro) | Varies by reseller | Depends |
| Inventory sync | Excellent, real-time | Basic | Shopify POS |
| App ecosystem (e-commerce) | Massive | Limited | Shopify POS |
| Hardware design | Modern, clean | Premium, professional | Clover |
| Payment flexibility | Shopify Payments + others | Via reseller | Tie |
| Service businesses | Limited | Better (apps) | Clover |
Shopify POS
Pros
- ✓E-commerce leader
- ✓True omnichannel inventory
- ✓Massive app ecosystem
- ✓Great for DTC
Cons
- ✗POS is secondary to online
- ✗Monthly cost required
- ✗Less hardware variety
Clover
Pros
- ✓Premium hardware
- ✓Good for in-store focus
- ✓Processor flexibility
- ✓Service business apps
Cons
- ✗E-commerce is basic
- ✗Reseller pricing varies
- ✗Less omnichannel integration
In-Depth Analysis
The Online Reality
Even 'local' retail is increasingly omnichannel. Customers research online, buy in-store (or vice versa). Shopify's unified platform handles this naturally. With Clover, you're often running separate systems. Think about where retail is going, not just where you are today.
The Hardware Experience
Clover's hardware looks and feels premium—customers notice. Shopify's hardware is good but more utilitarian. For high-end retail where presentation matters, Clover's aesthetics help. For most stores, both work fine.
True Cost Comparison
Shopify: $39 (Basic) + $89 (POS Pro) = $128/month plus processing. Clover: varies wildly by reseller. Get actual Clover quotes before comparing. Some Clover deals are better, some are much worse.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Shopify e-commerce with Clover POS?
Not directly integrated. You'd need middleware to sync inventory, and it's fragile. Better to pick one ecosystem. If Shopify's e-commerce is must-have, use Shopify POS for unified operations.
Which is easier to set up?
Shopify is easier for online + POS together. Clover is easier for in-store only. The complexity increases when you need both channels working seamlessly.