Toast vs Clover (2024 Comparison)
Toast offers a comprehensive POS solution tailored for the restaurant industry, with robust features and excellent customer support, making it an ideal choice for restaurant owners.
- Comprehensive restaurant features
- Robust order management
- Excellent customer support
- Steep learning curve
- Higher initial cost
Free plan?
YesStarting price
$69 per month
Clover provides a versatile POS system with a user-friendly interface and flexible hardware options, making it a strong contender for businesses seeking customizable solutions.
- User-friendly interface
- Wide hardware options
- Flexible payment processing
- Limited restaurant-specific features
- Basic CRM capabilities
Free plan?
NoStarting price
Contact salesWhat is Toast?
Toast is a comprehensive point-of-sale (POS) system designed specifically for the restaurant industry. It offers a range of features including order management, payment processing, and customer relationship management. With its intuitive interface, Toast helps restaurant owners streamline operations, improve customer service, and increase sales. Whether you're running a small café or a large restaurant chain, Toast provides the tools you need to manage your business efficiently and effectively.
What is Clover?
Clover is a versatile point-of-sale (POS) system that caters to a wide range of businesses, from retail stores to restaurants. It offers a variety of hardware options and customizable software features, allowing businesses to tailor the system to their specific needs. Clover helps businesses manage transactions, track inventory, and analyze sales data, making it an essential tool for improving operational efficiency and enhancing customer experiences.
Pros and Cons of Toast vs Clover
Pros & Cons of Toast
- Toast offers a wide range of features specifically designed for the restaurant industry, making it an ideal choice for restaurant owners seeking a tailored POS solution.
- Toast's order management tools streamline the entire process, reducing errors and improving customer satisfaction, making it a valuable asset for restaurant operations.
- Toast provides reliable customer support, ensuring that restaurant owners have access to assistance when needed, making it a valuable resource for businesses.
- Toast's extensive features may require a bit more time to master, which could be challenging for new users or those unfamiliar with POS systems.
- Toast's comprehensive features come with a higher initial cost, which may be a consideration for small businesses or those with limited budgets.
Pros & Cons of Clover
- Clover's intuitive design allows for seamless navigation, making it easy for businesses to get started quickly and efficiently.
- Clover offers a variety of hardware options, allowing businesses to choose the setup that best suits their needs, providing flexibility and customization.
- Clover's payment processing capabilities allow businesses to accept a variety of payment methods, providing convenience and flexibility for customers.
- Clover may not offer the same level of industry-specific features as Toast, which could be a consideration for restaurant owners seeking tailored solutions.
- Clover's CRM capabilities may not be as robust as Toast's, which could be a consideration for businesses looking to enhance customer relationships.
Toast vs Clover: At A Glance
Value to Price
Toast offers a robust set of features tailored for the restaurant industry, providing excellent value for its price. Its comprehensive tools help streamline operations, making it a worthwhile investment for restaurant owners. Clover, while versatile, may not offer the same level of industry-specific features, making Toast a better choice for restaurant-focused businesses.
Ease of Use
Clover shines in its user-friendly interface, making it easy for businesses to get started quickly. Its intuitive design allows for seamless navigation, which is particularly beneficial for small businesses. Toast, while also user-friendly, may require a bit more time to master due to its extensive features, making Clover a better option for those prioritizing ease of use.
Functionality
Toast excels in functionality, offering a wide range of features specifically designed for the restaurant industry. Its tools for order management, payment processing, and customer relationship management are top-notch. Clover, while functional, may not offer the same level of industry-specific features, making Toast the better choice for restaurant owners seeking comprehensive functionality.
Scalability
Toast is designed to grow with your business, offering scalable solutions that can accommodate expanding operations. Its ability to handle increased demand makes it ideal for growing restaurant chains. Clover, while scalable, may not offer the same level of industry-specific scalability, making Toast the better choice for businesses planning to expand.
Integrations
Clover offers a wide range of integrations, allowing businesses to connect with various third-party applications seamlessly. This flexibility is beneficial for businesses looking to customize their POS system. Toast also offers integrations, but Clover's extensive library makes it the better choice for those seeking diverse integration options.
Customer Support
Toast provides reliable customer support, ensuring that restaurant owners have access to assistance when needed. Its support team is knowledgeable and responsive, making it a valuable resource for businesses. Clover also offers customer support, but Toast's industry-specific expertise makes it the better choice for restaurant-focused businesses.
Security
Both Toast and Clover prioritize security, offering robust measures to protect sensitive data. Toast's industry-specific security features provide an added layer of protection for restaurant owners. Clover also offers strong security measures, but Toast's tailored approach makes it the better choice for those in the restaurant industry.
Overall Rating
Toast receives a higher overall rating due to its industry-specific features and comprehensive functionality. It is the ideal choice for restaurant owners seeking a tailored POS solution. Clover, while versatile and user-friendly, may not offer the same level of industry-specific features, making Toast the better choice for restaurant-focused businesses.
Toast vs Clover: A Detailed Breakdown of Key Features
Order Management
Toast excels in order management, offering features that streamline the entire process from order taking to fulfillment. Its intuitive interface makes it easy for staff to manage orders efficiently, reducing errors and improving customer satisfaction. Clover also offers order management features, but Toast's industry-specific tools make it the better choice for restaurant owners looking to optimize their order management processes.
Payment Processing
Both Toast and Clover offer robust payment processing capabilities, allowing businesses to accept a variety of payment methods. Toast's seamless integration with its POS system ensures smooth transactions, while Clover's flexibility in payment options makes it a strong contender. However, Toast's industry-specific payment features give it an edge for restaurant owners seeking a comprehensive solution.
Inventory Tracking
Clover shines in inventory tracking, offering detailed insights into stock levels and helping businesses manage their inventory efficiently. Its user-friendly interface makes it easy to track and reorder items as needed. Toast also offers inventory tracking features, but Clover's comprehensive tools make it the better choice for businesses prioritizing inventory management.
Customer Relationship Management
Toast offers robust customer relationship management tools, allowing restaurant owners to build and maintain strong relationships with their customers. Its features for tracking customer preferences and history are top-notch. Clover also offers CRM capabilities, but Toast's industry-specific tools make it the better choice for restaurant owners looking to enhance their customer relationships.
Reporting and Analytics
Toast provides comprehensive reporting and analytics tools, offering valuable insights into business performance. Its detailed reports help restaurant owners make informed decisions and optimize operations. Clover also offers reporting features, but Toast's industry-specific analytics make it the better choice for restaurant owners seeking in-depth insights.
Hardware Options
Clover offers a wide range of hardware options, allowing businesses to choose the setup that best suits their needs. Its flexibility in hardware choices makes it a strong contender for businesses looking for customizable solutions. Toast also offers hardware options, but Clover's extensive selection makes it the better choice for those seeking diverse hardware configurations.
Pricing Comparison of Toast and Clover
We’ve compiled the pricing tables and highlighted the key features of both Toast and Clover to aid in your decision-making process. Let’s explore what each platform has to offer.
Toast Pricing Plans
- Cloud-based point of sale system for easy access.
- Hardware configuration includes one terminal.
- Additional add-ons available for enhanced functionality.
- No upfront hardware costs with flexible payment options.
- Custom hardware configuration to suit your needs.
- Monthly software subscription with flexible options.
- Additional add-ons included for expanded capabilities.
- Ideal for restaurants starting with essential features.
- Solutions include online ordering and delivery.
- Integrated payroll and tips management.
- Automated inventory and employee scheduling.
- Guest marketing, loyalty, and gift card options.
Clover Pricing Plans
Our Rating Methodology
We thoroughly evaluate each POS system, focusing on key factors such as functionality, ease of use, and customer support. By analyzing user reviews and conducting in-depth testing, we ensure our recommendations fit your needs. Each factor is weighted by importance to provide an accurate final rating, helping you make informed decisions.
Toast or Clover: Which One Matches Your Business Needs?
Choose Toast If You Need ...
- Comprehensive restaurant features
If you are a restaurant owner seeking a tailored POS solution, Toast's comprehensive features make it the ideal choice. Its industry-specific tools help streamline operations and improve customer satisfaction.
- Robust order management
If you prioritize efficient order management, Toast's robust tools make it the better choice. Its intuitive interface and comprehensive features help reduce errors and enhance customer experiences.
Choose Clover If You Need ...
- User-friendly interface
If you are a small business owner seeking a user-friendly POS system, Clover's intuitive design makes it the ideal choice. Its seamless navigation allows for quick and efficient onboarding.
- Wide hardware options
If you are looking for customizable hardware solutions, Clover's wide range of options makes it the better choice. Its flexibility allows businesses to choose the setup that best suits their needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which POS system is better for restaurants, Toast or Clover?
Is Clover more user-friendly than Toast?
Does Toast offer better customer support than Clover?
Which POS system offers more hardware options, Toast or Clover?
Is Toast more expensive than Clover?
Which POS system offers better inventory tracking, Toast or Clover?
Martin Lunendonk
Martin Lunendonk is a senior tech writer specializing in website builders, web hosting, and ecommerce platforms. With a background in finance, accounting, and philosophy, he has founded multiple tech startups and worked in medium to large tech companies and investment banking, bringing deep expertise and reliable insights to his software reviews.
