Short answer: Choose Clover when you need a full counter — kitchen display, self-order kiosk, pay-at-table, built-in loyalty. Choose Square for the lightest, app-first setup, or if you already run Square. We place both, so we have no reason to push either.
Side by side
| Clover | Square | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Restaurants, busy counters, businesses that want everything in one system | Small counters, mobile sellers, merchants who want simple and app-first |
| Handheld | Flex, Flex Pocket | Terminal, Handheld, Reader |
| Countertop | Mini, Station Duo, Station Solo | Register, Stand (uses your iPad) |
| Kitchen & self-order | Kitchen Display, Kiosk | Kiosk |
| Loyalty & gift cards | Clover Loyalty and Gift Cards on the same terminal | Available through Square’s software |
| Uses devices you own | No — Clover hardware | Yes — Reader and Stand pair with your phone or iPad |
Restaurants and quick service
For full-service dining we usually start with a Clover Station Duo at the host stand and Clover Flex for pay-at-table, plus the Kitchen Display so orders reach the line without paper tickets. For pizza, wings and quick service, a Clover Mini with a Flex Pocket for delivery — and a Kiosk if the lunch queue is the bottleneck. See our restaurant and quick-service setups.
Retail, salons and services
Retail counters do well on a Clover Mini or a Square Register — both handle inventory and reporting. Salons and service businesses often prefer a single handheld with a printer on board, like Square Terminal or Clover Flex, to keep the front desk clear.
What doesn’t change
Whichever you pick through GT Payments, you get the same local service: installation in under 10 minutes, a 24/7 live support line, and a technician on-site across the GTA in 2–4 hours. Dashboard and reporting, Virtual Terminal and Tap to Pay on phone come with every account.
Still not sure?
Tell us what you sell and how you sell it — we will name the terminal we would actually put on your counter. Get a recommendation and quote or call 416-640-0902.