Shift4 Direct vs Clover, line by line
A straight comparison of what each system costs to buy, run, and support.
Get your side-by-side quote
We price your exact setup against your current Clover bill.
Three steps to go live.
Book a free demo
Tell us how your floor runs. We spec the exact devices you need — no more, no less — and quote it plainly.
We build and install
We program your menu ahead of time, then a local technician installs on-site and stays through your first service.
Go live with support
You open with 24/7/365 in-house support behind you and a lifetime warranty on every device.
Built for restaurants, not just retail
Clover is a flexible system used across retail and food service, often sold through a range of banks and processors. That flexibility is a strength, but it also means pricing, processing rates, and support quality vary a lot depending on who sold you the terminal.
Shift4 Direct keeps it consistent: $0 upfront hardware for qualifying merchants on the Advantage program, waived software fees for 12 months, dual pricing that can bring processing toward 0%, and one in-house support line regardless of who you signed with.
Comparison
| Line | Shift4 Direct | Clover |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront hardware cost | $0 upfront for qualifying merchants, up to 4 devices | Devices purchased upfront or financed; varies by reseller |
| Software fee per device | Waived 12 months, then $29.99/device/mo | Monthly plans from around $14.95 up to $90+ by tier and device |
| Loyalty / marketing / QR | Included on the platform | Often paid apps from the Clover App Market |
| Hardware warranty | Lifetime | Limited term, varies by seller |
| On-site install & training | Local, included | Varies by reseller; often self-setup |
| Sign-up bonus | Up to $5,000 for qualifying new merchants | Not advertised |
| 24/7 support | 24/7/365 in-house | Support varies by the bank or processor you bought from |
Comparison reflects publicly advertised plans for general guidance. Competitor marks belong to their respective owners.
Where the difference shows up
With Clover, two restaurants on the same hardware can pay very different rates depending on the reseller and app choices. Shift4 Direct removes that variability: one program, waived software fees for 12 months, and Advantage dual pricing that can bring processing cost toward 0% for qualifying merchants. Lifetime hardware warranty and local install come standard, and any new merchant doing at least $30,000 in monthly processing volume can qualify for the $5,000 sign-up bonus.
One platform. Everything the restaurant runs on.
Guest experience
- Online ordering, commission-free
- QR code order & pay
- Reservations & waitlist
- Loyalty program & gift cards
- Email and SMS marketing
Operations
- Customizable floor plans
- Split checks by item or amount
- Inventory management
- Cloud back office & reporting
- Offline processing mode
Team & labor
- Employee timeclock
- Scheduling & shift swaps
- Permissions by role
- Payroll export
- Manager mobile app
Payments
- EMV chip & contactless NFC
- Tap to pay on handhelds
- DoorDash, Uber Eats, Postmates
- Advantage program to cut fees
- Next-day funding options
Stop overpaying to accept a card.
Between tiered rates and per-device software fees, most restaurants leave money on the table every month. Our Advantage program is built to drive your effective processing cost toward zero.
Run the numbers with usIllustrative only. Rates vary by provider, market, card mix and plan. Advantage program eligibility and surcharge/dual-pricing rules vary by state and card brand; your specialist confirms what applies to you.
Questions, answered.
Still stuck on something? Call us — a real person picks up.
Still stuck on something? Send us your question and our team will call you back the next business day.
(877) 330-6602Clover is sold through many banks and processors, each setting its own rates and support terms. Shift4 Direct keeps one consistent program and one support line.
On Clover, many of those features are paid apps. On Shift4 Direct they are part of the platform.
A local technician builds your menu, installs the hardware, and trains your team. Qualifying new merchants can receive a sign-up bonus of up to $5,000.
They reflect publicly advertised plans for general guidance. Confirm current Clover pricing with your seller, as it varies. See a consistent price instead of a moving one. Book a demo or request a quote and we will run the lines for your restaurant. Shift4 Direct is an independent authorized reseller. Shift4, SkyTab, and Bar Rescue marks belong to their respective owners.
Let's build your setup.
Tell us how your floor runs and we'll spec the exact devices you need — no more, no less. Free demo, no obligation.
$0 upfront on hardware, up to four devices
12 months with monthly software fees waived
Up to $5,000* to cover your old POS contract