Clover vs PayPal Business: which one fits your business?
Side-by-side comparison of Clover and PayPal Business — fees, features, ease, support, and which one fits your business. Scored on the same rubric.
Short answer: PayPal Business wins on our scorecard (7.8/10 vs 7/10).
| Scored on | Clover | PayPal Business |
|---|---|---|
| Right fit for small biz | 7 | 8 |
| Ease of use | 7 | 9 |
| Fees & pricing | 6 | 7 |
| Customer support | 5 | 5 |
| Features | 9 | 9 |
| Card-Present Rate | 2.3% + $0.10 | — |
| Starter Plan | $14.95/mo | — |
| Standard Hardware Bundle | $799+ (Typical) | — |
| Early Termination Fee | Varies by contract (can be $500+) | — |
| Monthly fee | — | $0 |
| Online transaction fee | — | 2.99% + fixed fee |
| In-person (QR) fee | — | 2.29% + $0.09 |
| Instant transfer fee | — | 1.5% (capped) |
Clover in one paragraph
Clover is a powerhouse POS with top-tier hardware, but the complex bank-partner distribution model and rigid contracts make it better for established shops than risky startups.
Skip it if: Skip Clover if you are a seasonal business or a startup that might need to switch software in six months, as the hardware is locked to Fiserv and contracts are notoriously hard to break.
PayPal Business in one paragraph
PayPal Business is the ultimate 'day one' tool for solopreneurs to get paid, though its automated fraud filters can be a headache for rapidly scaling firms.
Skip it if: You should not pick this if you process over $50,000 monthly and need a dedicated account representative to handle disputes.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Clover or PayPal Business?
On our five-axis scorecard, PayPal Business scores higher (7.8/10 vs 7/10). PayPal Business is the ultimate 'day one' tool for solopreneurs to get paid, though its automated fraud filters can be a headache for rapidly scaling firms.
Who should skip Clover?
Skip Clover if you are a seasonal business or a startup that might need to switch software in six months, as the hardware is locked to Fiserv and contracts are notoriously hard to break.
Who should skip PayPal Business?
You should not pick this if you process over $50,000 monthly and need a dedicated account representative to handle disputes.