Bottom Line
For most small retail and coffee shop owners, Loyverse offers the best overall value because its core POS is free and paid features like advanced inventory are priced at $25/month per store. If you require comprehensive support and do not mind the $49/month per location cost for the Plus plan, Square is a strong alternative. Choose Clover if you prefer working with a local reseller and want a custom pricing arrangement.
Running a retail store or coffee shop requires a point-of-sale system that handles daily transactions efficiently. The right software streamlines your workflow, helping you manage inventory, staff, and customer data with ease.
When choosing between major providers like Clover, Loyverse, and Square, it is essential to evaluate how each platform supports your unique operational needs. This comparison focuses on the core capabilities of these tools to help you decide which one aligns best with your business goals.
At a Glance
| Tool | Price | Free Plan | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clover | Custom pricing — contact sales/reseller (software plans commonly listed from ~$14.95/month depending on processor/reseller; official site does not publish one fixed price) | No standalone free plan; 90-day free software trial for Virtual Terminal (no hardware) | 2026-09-16 |
| Loyverse | Core POS is free — paid add-ons per store: Unlimited sales history $5/month ($50/year), Employee management $25/month ($250/year), Advanced inventory $25/month ($250/year) | Free plan available (POS, sales analytics for last 31 days, essential inventory, loyalty program, multi-store management); each paid add-on has a 14-day free trial | 2026-10-09 |
| Square | $49/month per location (Plus plan) — Premium plan $149/month per location | Free plan available (pay-per-transaction only, 2.6% + 10c per swipe/tap/dip) | 2026-09-16 |
How We Checked the Numbers
The prices and plan details in the table above are what we recorded for each tool, last checked between 2026-09-16 and 2026-10-09. Each section below links to the official site. Prices change often, so confirm the current price there before you decide.
Clover
Verified 2026-09-16Overview
Clover is a point-of-sale system designed specifically for retail and coffee shop businesses. It provides a software solution with a 90-day free trial for the Virtual Terminal that does not require hardware purchase.
- Category-specific design for retail and coffee shops
- 90-day free software trial for the Virtual Terminal
- No hardware requirement for the Virtual Terminal trial
- Custom pricing options through sales or resellers
This item suits retail and coffee shop operators who want a category-specific POS and are open to custom pricing arrangements via resellers.
- Offers a no-hardware 90-day free trial for testing the software
- Tailored functionality for specific retail and coffee shop needs
- Official site does not publish one fixed price, requiring contact with sales or resellers for quotes
Loyverse
Verified 2026-10-09Overview
Loyverse is a retail and coffee shop point of sale system with a free core plan. It includes essential inventory, a loyalty program, and multi-store management capabilities.
- Free core POS with sales analytics for the last 31 days
- Built-in loyalty program
- Multi-store management included in the free tier
Small retail businesses and coffee shops looking for a cost-effective POS with free core features and optional paid upgrades.
- The core POS is free
- Paid add-ons come with a 14-day free trial
- Essential inventory management is included, but advanced inventory requires a $25/month add-on
Square
Verified 2026-09-16Overview
Square is a Retail & Coffee Shop POS system designed for business operators. It offers a free plan with pay-per-transaction fees or monthly subscription options for advanced features.
- Retail & Coffee Shop POS functionality
- Free plan available with 2.6% + 10c per swipe/tap/dip
- Subscription plans starting at $49/month per location
This item suits best small retail and coffee shop owners who want a POS system with a free entry point or scalable monthly plans.
- No monthly fee required if using the free pay-per-transaction option
- Flexible pricing with both Plus and Premium plan tiers available
- Premium plan costs $149/month per location, which may be higher than some competitors
Picking the One That Fits You
Pricing model transparency
Some platforms may have base costs that vary significantly based on resellers or specific add-ons, while others may offer a free core tier. You should verify whether the quoted price includes all necessary features or if additional monthly fees apply for essential tools like inventory management.
Cost of advanced features
Basic point of sale functions might be accessible without a subscription, but critical capabilities such as unlimited sales history or advanced employee management often require separate paid upgrades. It is important to calculate the total monthly cost if you anticipate needing these specific operational tools for your staff and records.
Hardware and processor requirements
Different systems may require specific hardware purchases or mandate the use of certain payment processors to access their full software suite. Before committing, you should check if you need to buy new devices or if you can use your existing equipment to avoid unexpected startup costs.
Scalability for multiple locations
Pricing structures often change when you operate more than one physical store or coffee shop location. You should review how the cost per site scales to ensure the solution remains manageable as your business expands across different territories.
The Final Call
Loyverse is ideal for small businesses seeking a free core POS with affordable paid add-ons for inventory and employee management. Square suits locations that need robust support and are comfortable with a higher monthly subscription fee of $49/month for the Plus plan. Clover is best for those who want a custom pricing solution through a reseller, with software plans commonly listed from ~$14.95/month depending on the processor.
Questions Readers Ask
What is the starting cost for each POS system?
Loyverse offers a free core POS plan. Square's Plus plan costs $49/month per location. Clover has custom pricing where you must contact sales, with plans commonly listed from ~$14.95/month depending on the reseller.
Which system is best for a budget-conscious startup?
Loyverse may be ideal if you want a free core POS, as you only pay for add-ons like Employee management at $25/month or Advanced inventory at $25/month per store. Clover also has low entry points around ~$14.95/month, but requires contacting a reseller for a final quote.
How do the subscription models differ between the three tools?
Loyverse uses a freemium model with specific paid add-ons per store, such as Unlimited sales history at $5/month. Square uses flat monthly rates per location, such as $49/month for the Plus plan and $149/month for the Premium plan. Clover uses custom pricing that varies by processor and reseller.
What are the main advantages of Loyverse’s pricing structure?
Loyverse’s core POS is free, allowing you to start without a monthly software fee. You can scale by adding specific features like Employee management for $25/month or Advanced inventory for $25/month per store, rather than paying for a bundled suite.
Pricing and feature details on this page are independently researched and verified against official sources.
Pricing shown was accurate at the time of publishing and may change — verify on the official site.