Harbortouch VS Clover // POS system

PROS / You may be able to obtain Clover Stations through the business banker you already have a working relationship with, and one-rate options are available.

CONS / In most cases, you will need to purchase the hardware upfront. Full systems are available online for about $1, 000.

VERDICT / The Clover Station POS system is a well-conceived, out-of-the-box solution suitable for retail and restaurant businesses. Since it may be available through your bank, you may be able to negotiate a competitive swipe rate.

Clover Station's POS system is stylish-looking and simple to set up, and the interface is customizable. Clover Station is available from over 3, 000 entities, including Bank of America, Citibank, Wells Fargo, First Data and Sam's Club. Since this retail POS system is offered by numerous companies, swipe fees and hardware costs vary. First Data advertises its rates starting as low as 1.23 percent. If you purchase a system from Bank of America, the swipe fees range from 1.89 to 2.50 percent plus $0.20. Non-swiped cards are a bit more. Some companies that offer this POS system also give you flat-rate processing. The actual swipe rate may depend on your sales volume, credit rating and other factors. If you already have a business bank account and are interested in this point-of-sale system, you'll want to check with your bank to see if it offers Clover Station.

Besides having simple card readers, Clover Station is likely the easiest full system to set up. The actual unit comes preconfigured to work with the associated hardware, and it is simple to add the apps you require. The POS system comes with an 11.6-inch touchscreen mounted on a swivel stand, an integrated card reader and high-resolution camera, and a receipt printer. You can easily add peripherals such as cash drawers, scales or kitchen printers, which makes Clover a versatile option for a restaurant POS system. The core hardware pieces can be connected by a single cord so there is no visible cord clutter. Additional peripherals can be connected using the system's USB ports. The screen is larger than iPad screens, giving it an advantage over iPad solutions, especially if your eyesight is less than perfect. The design of the Clover Station is aesthetically more attractive than most systems on the market, making it a good option for those looking for form in addition to function.