Clover is a POS hardware and software platform, and what you pay depends on your plan and your provider. GoPayhawk is a merchant services provider with month-to-month processing, no early termination fee on processing, interchange-plus pricing, and a dedicated account rep. If POS software is your main need, Clover may be worth it, and if you already have software you like and just need the processing behind it, GoPayhawk provides that.
Who This Comparison Is For
Clover is not just a processor. It is a POS hardware and software platform, and the terms can depend on who sold it to you. Understanding that distinction is the most important thing you can take away from this page.
Clover's pricing page says Clover is sold through its website and through partners, including Citi, PNC, and Wells Fargo. It also says contract terms and any termination fees can vary based on your service provider, and that Clover POS devices may be purchased or leased from other entities but can't be used with other payment processors.
How Clover's Pricing Actually Works
Clover's direct pricing (purchased through clover.com) uses a monthly software fee plus a processing rate per transaction. As of November 2026, Clover's pricing page offers Starter, Standard, and Advanced plans with fees that vary by business type, and a slightly higher rate for typed-in payments.
If you got Clover through a bank, reseller, or other provider, read what you signed, because Clover says your contract terms and any termination fees can vary by provider.
Clover's pricing page also says subscriptions are non-cancelable, with buyout and upgrade exceptions, so check those terms before you commit.
The questions to ask: Always ask whether you are buying or leasing hardware, what the lease costs in total, and what the early termination fee is before signing any Clover agreement.
How to Compare Your Own Statement
Your own statement is the only comparison that matters, because Clover pricing depends on your plan and on who sold it to you.
- Add up your processing fees, per-transaction fees, and monthly software fees.
- Divide that total by your card volume to get your effective rate.
- Check whether you bought direct or through a reseller, and read your agreement for the contract term, any equipment lease, and any termination fee.
- Send the statement to GoPayhawk for a free statement analysis, which shows what the same transactions would cost on GoPayhawk's pricing.
Ready to move? The Clover switching guide covers what to check in your agreement and how the switch works.
Account Type and Stability
Ask your Clover provider who holds your merchant account and how it is set up. Clover's contact page says your direct support number is on your statement, so that's a good place to start.
GoPayhawk is an Elavon Payments MSP & Registered MSP/ISO of Elavon, Inc. Georgia, [a wholly owned subsidiary of U.S. Bancorp, Minneapolis, MN], and provides a dedicated merchant account underwritten to your business.
Contract Terms — The Critical Difference
This is where Clover comparisons get complicated. Contract terms vary significantly by channel:
| Term | Clover Direct | Clover Reseller | GoPayhawk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processing contract | Varies by agreement | Varies by provider | Month-to-month |
| Early termination fee | Varies by agreement | Varies by provider | None on processing. Equipment leases have their own terms. |
| Hardware cost | One-time or monthly payments | Varies by provider | Purchase, lease, or free placement |
| Equipment lease | Varies | Varies by provider | Available |
| Rate change notice | Per agreement | Varies by provider | 30 days |
If you are purchasing Clover through any channel other than Clover.com directly, read the processing agreement in full before signing. The processing rates on the rate sheet and the contract terms in the agreement are two different documents — both matter.
Support Comparison
| Support Type | Clover | GoPayhawk |
|---|---|---|
| Phone support | Yes (24/7/365 support listed; direct number on your statement) | Yes (dedicated rep) |
| Dedicated account rep | Varies | Yes |
| POS software support | Varies | Hardware + gateway support |
| Reseller support | Varies | N/A |
| Hardware replacement | Varies | Through GoPayhawk |
Pricing Model Availability
| Model | Clover (Direct) | GoPayhawk |
|---|---|---|
| Flat Rate | Yes (percentage plus per-transaction fee listed) | Yes |
| Interchange Plus | Check current pricing | Yes |
| Surcharging | Check current pricing | Yes |
| Cash Discounting | Yes (Clover Cash Discount tool) | Yes |
| Dual Pricing | Check current pricing | Yes |
When Clover Makes Sense Anyway
Clover's pricing page lists Starter, Standard, and Advanced plans, and Clover runs an App Market for add-on software. If you need a full POS system, Clover can be a reasonable choice.
GoPayhawk does not offer a native POS software platform of the same depth as Clover's. GoPayhawk's strength is in processing economics, pricing model flexibility, and personalized service. If a business already has POS software it is happy with and just needs the processing behind it, GoPayhawk provides that. If the POS software is the primary need and processing cost is secondary, Clover may be worth it.
The Honest Verdict
Clover is better if...
- You need a full POS platform
- You purchase directly from Clover.com
- The POS software justifies the cost for your business
- You want access to Clover's app market for add-on integrations
- Processing cost is secondary to software capability
GoPayhawk is better if...
- Processing cost is your priority
- You want interchange-plus, cash discounting, or surcharging
- You are buying from a Clover reseller and want to understand your options first
- You want month-to-month processing
- You need a dedicated account rep
- You already have POS software and just need the processing layer
Frequently Asked Questions
Clover is a POS hardware and software platform, and Fiserv's website calls it Clover from Fiserv. It is sold through Clover's website and through banks and other partners. Contract terms and any termination fees can vary based on your service provider.
Clover's fees vary by plan and business type, and Clover says contract terms and any termination fees can vary based on your service provider. Compare what any provider quotes against Clover's own pricing and independent alternatives before signing.
Clover's pricing page lists a percentage plus a flat fee per transaction, with a slightly higher rate for typed-in payments, plus a monthly software fee that varies by business type. Rates through other providers can differ, so check current pricing.
Check current pricing with Clover or your provider. Clover's pricing page lists a percentage plus a flat fee per transaction. GoPayhawk uses its own terminal hardware and offers interchange-plus as its primary pricing model.
They can be. A lease can cost more over time than buying the hardware. If a Clover reseller offers you "no upfront cost," ask about the monthly lease payment and total term cost.
Clover says contract terms and any termination fees can vary based on your service provider. Always read the full agreement before signing any Clover contract.
Not at the same software depth. GoPayhawk sells a full Android POS system, the P18, but doesn't offer a native POS software platform as deep as Clover's. Our strength is pricing model flexibility and personalized service.
Check the processing agreement you signed and your statement, which Clover says lists your direct support number. If you bought through a reseller, bank, or independent agent, your contract terms can vary by that provider.
When the POS software saves you meaningful time or drives revenue. Clover lists Starter, Standard, and Advanced plans and an App Market for add-on software, so weigh that against what you pay. For businesses that only need the processing layer behind existing software, GoPayhawk provides that.
