Toast vs Clover
Toast is a restaurant-specific POS with deep industry features, while Clover is a general-purpose system that works across industries. For restaurants, Toast offers superior kitchen management, online ordering, and delivery—but Clover can work for simpler operations at a lower cost.
Our Verdict
Toast is the better choice for most restaurants due to its purpose-built features, powerful kitchen display system, and restaurant-specific tools. Clover works for very simple counter-service operations but lacks Toast's depth.
Feature Comparison
Pricing
| Feature | Toast | Clover |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $0/mo (Starter) | $14.95/mo |
| Full restaurant plan | $69/mo | $84.95/mo |
| Processing (in-person) | 2.49% + 15¢ | 2.3-3.5% + 10¢ |
| Contract required | 2 years typical | Varies |
Restaurant Features
| Feature | Toast | Clover |
|---|---|---|
| Table management | Yes (built-in) | App required |
| Kitchen display system | Yes (excellent) | Basic |
| Online ordering | Yes (no commission) | 3rd party |
| Delivery management | Toast Delivery | No |
| Menu engineering | Yes | Basic |
Operations
| Feature | Toast | Clover |
|---|---|---|
| Offline mode | Full | Yes |
| Employee scheduling | Yes | App required |
| Payroll | Yes (add-on) | No |
| Tip management | Yes (advanced) | Basic |
Toast
Pros
- ✓Built specifically for restaurants
- ✓Best-in-class kitchen display system
- ✓Comprehensive online ordering
- ✓In-house delivery option (Toast Delivery)
- ✓Strong offline capabilities
Cons
- ✗Requires Toast hardware only
- ✗2-year contracts typical
- ✗Higher upfront costs
Clover
Pros
- ✓Lower starting costs
- ✓Flexible app marketplace
- ✓Works for multiple business types
- ✓No long-term contract required (direct)
Cons
- ✗Not purpose-built for restaurants
- ✗Weaker kitchen management
- ✗No built-in online ordering
- ✗No delivery management
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Toast or Clover better for restaurants?
Toast is better for most restaurants. It's purpose-built for food service with superior kitchen displays, online ordering, and delivery management. Clover can work for very simple counter-service operations but lacks restaurant-specific depth.
Can Clover do online ordering?
Clover doesn't have built-in online ordering. You'd need a third-party app from their marketplace or integration with services like ChowNow. Toast includes online ordering with no per-order commissions.
Which has better hardware for restaurants?
Both offer quality restaurant hardware. Toast's terminals are spill-resistant and restaurant-hardened. Toast's kitchen display system is superior. Clover's hardware is sleek but more general-purpose.
Can I use Clover for a food truck?
Yes, Clover Go or Clover Flex work well for food trucks. However, Square is often a better choice for food trucks due to free software and simpler pricing.