In short: Every machine we supply takes chip, tap and debit. Pick by where you take payment: in your hand (Clover Flex, Square Terminal), on one small counter (Clover Mini, Square Register), or a full station with a customer screen (Clover Station Duo). The processing rate is chosen separately, and it usually matters more than the machine.
Four kinds of card machine
- Handheld with a printer. Takes the payment and prints the receipt anywhere: at the table, the door or a market stall. Clover Flex runs on 4G/LTE or Wi-Fi; Square Terminal is Square’s all-in-one handheld.
- Pocket reader. The smallest option, for delivery or a backup: Clover Flex Pocket, or the Square Reader paired with your own phone or tablet.
- Countertop till. A compact screen that takes payments and also runs inventory, staff and reporting: Clover Mini or Square Register.
- Full counter system. A large staff screen plus a screen facing the customer for tips and signature: Clover Station Duo.
No hardware at all? Tap to Pay on iPhone and Android turns a phone into a contactless reader, and it comes with every account. It’s a good backup, but it has no printer.
The machines we supply
| Machine | Type | Good for | How to get it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clover Flex | Handheld with printer | Pay-at-table, markets, curbside | Buy, lease-to-own or monthly rental |
| Clover Mini | Countertop till | Retail, cafés, quick service | Buy or lease-to-own |
| Clover Station Duo | Full counter, two screens | Restaurants, busy counters | Buy or lease-to-own |
| Clover Flex Pocket, Station Solo, Kiosk | Pocket, counter, self-order | Delivery, high volume, quick service | Ask for a quote |
| Square Terminal, Reader, Register, Stand, Handheld, Kiosk | Handheld to countertop | Small counters, mobile sellers | Bought outright |
For a sense of Square prices, Square’s Canadian store lists the Square Reader at $69, Square Terminal at $399 and Square Register at $999. Clover hardware is quoted with your rate, so you see the whole monthly cost in one place.
Buy, lease-to-own or rent?
- Buy if you want the lowest total cost over the life of the machine and can pay up front.
- Lease-to-own (Clover) if you would rather spread the cost into monthly payments and own the machine at the end.
- Rent (Clover Flex) if you want the lowest upfront cost or only need the machine for a season. Rentals never end in ownership, so over several years buying usually costs less.
Watch out for card machine rentals bundled into a processing contract that keeps billing long after the machine has paid for itself. We quote hardware and processing separately, so you can see both.
What you pay to process
The machine is a one-time or short-term cost. Processing is paid on every sale for as long as you take cards. Our published plans, none with a monthly fee:
- Fixed: 2.50% on credit, 0.75% + $0.07 on debit. Square accounts through GT Payments use these rates.
- Variable: interchange + assessment + 0.20% on credit, $0.05 per debit (Clover).
- Surcharge: 2.40% paid by the cardholder where permitted, $0.05 per debit (Clover).
For debit-heavy shops, a flat $0.05 per debit can save more than any difference in hardware price. See our rates, the cost calculator, or how processing fees work.
Setup and support
In the GTA we bring the machine to your business, set it up in under 10 minutes and show your staff how it works. Elsewhere in Canada we ship it and set it up with you by phone or video. Our support line is answered by a person 24/7, and a technician can be on-site within 2–4 hours anywhere in the GTA.
Card machine questions
What is the best card machine for a small business?
It depends on where you take payment. For pay-at-table or on the move, a handheld with a printer like the Clover Flex or Square Terminal. For one small counter, a Clover Mini or Square Register. For a busy counter or restaurant, a Clover Station Duo. Tell us how your counter works and we will name the one we would install.
Can I rent a debit machine?
Yes. The Clover Flex is available as a monthly rental. Other Clover machines can be bought or leased to own, and Square hardware is bought outright.
Do your card machines take debit and tap?
Yes. Every Clover and Square machine we supply takes chip and contactless (tap) payments, including debit.
Is the card machine included with the rate plan?
No. Our rate plans cover processing only. Hardware is bought, leased to own or, for the Clover Flex, rented, and we quote it next to your rate.
Do you supply card machines outside Toronto?
Yes. We set up businesses across Canada: in person across the GTA, and by phone or video everywhere else, with the same 24/7 support line.