SkyTab vs. Clover

SkyTab vs Clover: The Restaurant-Focused POS Comparison

Clover is a versatile POS system used across many industries. SkyTab is built exclusively for restaurants. Below, we compare both systems on pricing, restaurant-specific features, processing fees, hardware, and support so you can decide which is the better fit for your operation.

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Why Switch from Clover

3 reasons restaurants are switching

1

Pricing: Restaurant-Specific vs. One-Size-Fits-All

Clover offers plans across multiple industries, with restaurant-specific plans typically starting at $54.95/month and going up to $84.95/month per device for their full-service packages. Hardware costs add significantly: a Clover Station Duo is publicly listed at $1,899, and a Clover Flex handheld at $749. Most plans require a 36-month commitment.

2

Restaurant Features: Purpose-Built vs. Adapted

Clover is designed to serve retail stores, service businesses, and restaurants. While Clover's restaurant plans include table mapping, online ordering, and basic menu management, more advanced restaurant features like reservation management and dedicated labor scheduling typically require third-party app marketplace add-ons at additional monthly cost.

3

Contracts: 36 Months vs. Month-to-Month

According to multiple third-party sources, Clover typically requires a 36–48 month contract, particularly when hardware is financed or leased. Early termination fees apply, calculated based on the remaining contract value. Some Clover resellers may also add their own contract terms.

SkyTab vs Clover at a Glance

Feature-by-feature breakdown

Built For

SkyTab

Restaurants exclusively

Clover

Multi-industry (retail, services, restaurants)

Monthly Software Fee

SkyTab

$29.99/mo (all features)

Clover

Restaurant plans: $54.95–$84.95+/mo per device

Processing Fees

SkyTab

0% with Dual Pricing

Clover

2.3%–2.6% + $0.10 (in-person); 3.5% + $0.10 (keyed)

Hardware Cost

SkyTab

Free (included)

Clover

$599–$1,899+ per device, or 36-month financing

Hardware Warranty

SkyTab

Lifetime warranty

Clover

1-year standard; extended coverage $149–$249 extra

Contract Length

SkyTab

No long-term contracts

Clover

Typically 36–48 month contracts

Online Ordering

SkyTab

Included, commission-free

Clover

Included in restaurant plans, no commission

Reservations & Waitlist

SkyTab

Included

Clover

Not built-in; third-party apps available

Kitchen Display System

SkyTab

Included

Clover

$799–$899 hardware + $25/mo per screen

Labor Management

SkyTab

Included

Clover

Limited; third-party apps for scheduling

Bilingual Support

SkyTab

24/7 English & Spanish

Clover

English primary

Choose Your Processor

SkyTab

Shift4 processing

Clover

Can use third-party processors (via resellers)

Based on publicly available pricing from Clover.com, NerdWallet, Merchant Maverick, and KoronaPOS as of February 2026. Clover pricing varies by reseller and contract; actual costs may differ.

Sources & References

  1. Clover Pricing Page
  2. Clover Hardware & Plans
  3. SkyTab Pricing
  4. SkyTab Savings Calculator

Competitor pricing sourced from publicly available pages and may change.

Real Cost Scenario

A busy full-service restaurant using Clover:

SkyTab POS

$360/year (software) + $0 processing with Dual Pricing

Clover

$1,000–$1,800/month when combining software, hardware payments, and processing fees

Potential annual savings:

$10,000–$20,000+

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Deep Dive

What you need to know

Clover offers plans across multiple industries, with restaurant-specific plans typically starting at $54.95/month and going up to $84.95/month per device for their full-service packages. Hardware costs add significantly: a Clover Station Duo is publicly listed at $1,899, and a Clover Flex handheld at $749. Most plans require a 36-month commitment.

SkyTab's pricing is straightforward: $29.99/month with all restaurant features included. Hardware is free. Processing fees can be eliminated through the Dual Pricing program. There are no 36-month hardware commitments.

Key pricing difference: Clover's published hardware costs alone ($1,899 for a Station Duo) can exceed what a SkyTab restaurant pays in total for an entire year of POS service ($360/year for software).

Clover is designed to serve retail stores, service businesses, and restaurants. While Clover's restaurant plans include table mapping, online ordering, and basic menu management, more advanced restaurant features like reservation management and dedicated labor scheduling typically require third-party app marketplace add-ons at additional monthly cost.

SkyTab is built exclusively for restaurants. Every feature—from kitchen display systems to reservation and waitlist management to labor scheduling to QR code ordering—is designed for food service operations and included in the subscription.

According to multiple third-party sources, Clover typically requires a 36–48 month contract, particularly when hardware is financed or leased. Early termination fees apply, calculated based on the remaining contract value. Some Clover resellers may also add their own contract terms.

SkyTab operates on month-to-month terms with no long-term contracts and no early termination fees.

The Bottom Line

The decision depends on your priorities.

Choose Clover if:

You run a multi-concept business that includes both retail and food service, or you value the ability to choose your own payment processor through Clover's reseller network. Clover's hardware is sleek and well-regarded across industries.

Choose SkyTab if:

You want a POS system built specifically for restaurants, with all features included at a fraction of the cost. SkyTab's free hardware, lifetime warranty, 0% processing, and month-to-month flexibility make it particularly compelling for restaurant owners focused on controlling costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Clover offers restaurant-specific plans with features like table management and online ordering. However, as a multi-industry platform, some advanced restaurant features require third-party app add-ons. SkyTab is built exclusively for restaurants with all features included.
Clover sells its hardware separately from its software subscription, with publicly listed prices ranging from $599 for a Flex to $1,899 for a Station Duo. SkyTab includes all hardware at no cost as part of the subscription.
Clover contracts typically run 36–48 months. Early termination fees apply based on the remaining contract value. Review your specific contract terms for details. SkyTab has no long-term contracts and no early termination fees.

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