Compare > Clover vS KORONA POS

Clover’s Charm vs. The KORONA POS Performance

KORONA POS outshines the Clover solution. We break down features and performance so you pick the right POS software—no luck needed.

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Why Choose KORONA POS

KORONA POS, developed by Combase USA, was one of the first cloud-based POS solutions and has become a top choice for North American merchants. It delivers a solution with full customization, offering more functionality in inventory, employee controls, and payment processing. Unlike Clover, KORONA POS provides processor flexibility, hardware freedom, and advanced tools for efficiency.

Built for high-volume businesses (retailers, QSRs, wineries, and ticketing attractions) KORONA POS combines powerful features with scalable growth. KORONA POS also prioritizes in-house support, no contracts, transparent pricing, and tailored operations that adapt as your business expands.

Why Choose Clover

Clover, is a popular POS system known for its user-friendly design and bright white hardware. It offers a streamlined setup process, making it ideal for small businesses and quick-service operations that need a ready to use solution. Clover provides basic point of sale features and payment processing—all bundled into its proprietary hardware and software.

While Clover’s approach is simple easy to use, it limits flexibility in payment processing and hardware choices compared to other point of sale alternatives. The system works well for small volume businesses and service-based businesses that prioritize simplicity over customization.

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KORONA POS vs. Clover – A Side by Side Look

Choosing the right point of sale system is crucial for your business’s success. Both KORONA POS and Clover offer robust solutions, but they cater to different needs and priorities. This table explores the key differences in the KORONA POS vs. Clover comparison. Overall, Clover is a simple solution to choose with bundled hardware and payment processing, while KORONA POS gives you more flexibility in choice of hardware options, is processing agnostic, and has dependable customer support.


Cloud-Based or On-Premise	(Cloud-Based, Real-Time Access)	(Cloud-Based, Minimal Setup)
eCommerce Integration	(Integrates with WooCommerce, Shopify via API)	(With Clover Online Store or 3rd-party apps)
Compliance & Reporting	(Advanced Compliance & Audit Logs, PCI Compliant)	(Basic Reports, PCI Compliant)
Payment Processing	(Processing-Agnostic, Choose Any Provider)	(Requires Fiserv/First Data only)
Multi-Store Support	(Built-In, Centralized Management)	(Limited, requires separate accounts or upgrades)
Hardware Compatibility	(Works with Various Hardware, Including Custom Setups)	(Locked to Clover Hardware Only)
Pricing Model	(Transparent Monthly Fee, No Contract, Unlimited Trial)	(Flat rate + Monthly Fee per Device, Long-Term Contracts)
Dual Pricing (Cash Discounting)	(Fully Supported Natively)	(Not officially supported)
Age Verification	(ID Prompt + ID Scanner Support Built-In)	(3rd-Party App Support)
Inventory Management	(Advanced Inventory with Auto Reordering, Bundling, etc.)	(Basic Inventory Features)
Employee Management & Time Tracking	(Integrated with Permissions, Clock-in/out, Audit Trail)	(Standard Tools, Some Paid Add-ons)
Offline Mode	(Offline Mode with Auto-Sync Upon Reconnection)	(Limited functionality without internet)
POS Customization	(Highly Customizable with Open API Access)	(Limited by App Market & Closed System)
Franchise/Enterprise Features	Central Reporting, Unified Inventory, User Permissions by Location)	(Requires multiple logins, basic support)
Training & Onboarding	(1:1 Training + Ongoing Support + Knowledge Base)	(Video Tutorials & Support Team)
Customer Loyalty Program	(Built-In Loyalty, No Extra Cost)	(Available via Clover apps, extra fee)
Gift Cards	(Included in Base Package)	(Available, extra fees may apply)
Sales Tax Management	(Automatic Calculation, Multi-Region Tax Support)	(Manual Entry or Integrated via Apps)
Return & Refund Management	(Return Reasons, Employee Tracking, Stock Reconciliation)	(Basic Return Tools)
Third-Party App Ecosystem	(Select Integrations via API or Request)	(Extensive App Market)
User Interface / Ease of Use	(Clean, but steep learning curve )	(Intuitive, Touch-Based)
Industry Specialization	(Strong in Liquor, Vape, Cannabis with Partner Processors)	(General Retail, No High-Risk Support)
Contract Flexibility	(Month-to-Month, Cancel Anytime)	(Often requires multi-year agreements)
API Access	(Fully Open API for Custom Integrations)	(Limited or Not Provided)
Customer Support	(US-Based, 24/7 Emergency Support,	(Support varies by plan and provider)
Data Export & Portability	(Full Data Portability, No Vendor Lock-In)	(Not all data easily exportable)

Cloud-Based or On-Premise

(Cloud-Based, Real-Time Access)

(Cloud-Based, Minimal Setup)

eCommerce Integration

(Integrates with WooCommerce, Shopify via API)

(With Clover Online Store or 3rd-party apps)

Compliance & Reporting

(Advanced Compliance & Audit Logs, PCI Compliant)

(Basic Reports, PCI Compliant)

Payment Processing

(Processing-Agnostic, Choose Any Provider)

(Requires Fiserv/First Data only)

Multi-Store Support

(Built-In, Centralized Management)

(Limited, requires separate accounts or upgrades)

Hardware Compatibility

(Works with Various Hardware, Including Custom Setups)

(Locked to Clover Hardware Only)

Pricing Model

(Transparent Monthly Fee, No Contract, Unlimited Trial)

(Flat rate + Monthly Fee per Device, Long-Term Contracts)

Dual Pricing (Cash Discounting)

(Fully Supported Natively)

(Not officially supported)

Age Verification

(ID Prompt + ID Scanner Support Built-In)

(3rd-Party App Support)

Inventory Management

(Advanced Inventory with Auto Reordering, Bundling, etc.)

(Basic Inventory Features)

Employee Management & Time Tracking

(Integrated with Permissions, Clock-in/out, Audit Trail)

(Standard Tools, Some Paid Add-ons)

Offline Mode

(Offline Mode with Auto-Sync Upon Reconnection)

(Limited functionality without internet)

POS Customization

(Highly Customizable with Open API Access)

(Limited by App Market & Closed System)

Franchise/Enterprise Features

(Central Reporting, Unified Inventory, User Permissions by Location)

(Requires multiple logins, basic support)

Training & Onboarding

(1:1 Training + Ongoing Support + Knowledge Base)

(Video Tutorials & Support Team)

Customer Loyalty Program

(Built-In Loyalty, No Extra Cost)

(Available via Clover apps, extra fee)

Gift Cards

(Included in Base Package)

(Available, extra fees may apply)

Sales Tax Management

(Automatic Calculation, Multi-Region Tax Support)

(Manual Entry or Integrated via Apps)

Return & Refund Management

(Return Reasons, Employee Tracking, Stock Reconciliation)

(Basic Return Tools)

Third-Party App Ecosystem

(Select Integrations via API or Request)

(Extensive App Market)

User Interface / Ease of Use

(Clean, but steep learning curve )

(Intuitive, Touch-Based)

Industry Specialization

(Strong in Liquor, Vape, Cannabis with Partner Processors)

(General Retail, No High-Risk Support)

Contract Flexibility

(Month-to-Month, Cancel Anytime)

(Often requires multi-year agreements)

API Access

(Fully Open API for Custom Integrations)

(Limited or Not Provided)

Customer Support

(US-Based, 24/7 Emergency Support,

(Support varies by plan and provider)

Data Export & Portability

(Full Data Portability, No Vendor Lock-In)

(Not all data easily exportable)

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POS and the Checkout Experience

KORONA POS

Clover

KORONA POS stands out with deep customization, allowing businesses to build button layouts and workflows that match their operations—improving checkout efficiency and speed. In addition, the software supports advanced capabilities like integrated self-checkout kiosks and RFID technology, making it ideal for high-volume businesses that need quick transaction speeds.

While the KORONA POS solution may require a short learning curve, users consistently praise its advanced features and performance once mastered. And unlike simpler POS systems, KORONA prioritizes flexibility, being able to cater to retailers and scale with the business.

Clover has a user-friendly interface that staff can learn quickly, making it ideal for fast onboarding. Businesses can also easily add specialized functionalities through Clover’s App Market usually with extra costs. While it covers standard retail and restaurant needs efficiently with simple checkout features, its capabilities rely heavily on third-party integrations rather than adaptable built-in tools.

POS Hardware

KORONA POS

Clover

KORONA POS has the benefit of hardware flexibility, that allows retailers to use a wide range of hardware solutions for their business needs. Specifically, this includes being able to integrate to existing compatible equipment, saving upfront costs. And this freedom extends to choosing hardware from any vendor, running on standard operating on Windows or Linux systems, avoiding locked-in hardware products and pricing. KORONA POS also provides hardware leasing options for desktop terminals, tablets, barcode scanners, receipt printers, and more.

Clover uses its own line of hardware, including devices like the Station, Mini, and Flex, known for their contemporary design. These devices run a Clover-specific operating system and can simplify initial setup, but it has its limitations. Being able to integrate with third-party accessories is restricted to only approved devices, limiting retailers with specific needs. This also makes it difficult and potentially expensive to switch POS systems or upgrade without replacing the entire setup.

Payment Processing

KORONA POS

Clover

Clover systems typically come with payment processing bundled with their hardware. While this offers a simple setup, it particularly limits the ability to choose your processor or negotiate rates.

Merchants are often locked into the provider’s rates, which may be flat-rate or tiered structures that aren’t always the most cost-effective or transparent. Furthermore, Clover often involves long-term contracts with hefty early termination fees. Making business change and scalability difficult and potentially leading to higher long-term costs, as noted in some user reviews regarding unclear fees.

Back Office Features

KORONA POS

Clover

KORONA POS users love the back-office, KORONA Studio. It offers advanced tools like automated ABC product analysis to find the best and worst selling products and order level optimization to calculate ideal reorders. Inventory management and sales reporting are equally powerful, providing in-depth, highly customizable reports and KPIs accessible in real-time.

In addition, KORONA POS can easily adjust user and cashier permissions for employee roles and enhanced security. The software also includes a point-based loyalty program, allowing businesses to build customer relationships. Overall the KORONA POS solution has key point of sale features that allow for scalability and sales analysis to easily make smart business decisions.

Clover’s back-office tools include the standard point of sale software basics for tracking stock and reporting. For more advanced functionalities in inventory or other areas, Clover offers these functions on their App Market, allowing businesses to add capabilities through third-party integrations and for additional fees. Clover’s system fits smaller businesses with simplistic needs but for more customized and advanced tools can be costly to the retailer.

KORONA Studio on a labtap and on a mobile

Customer Support

KORONA POS

Clover

KORONA POS consistently earns high praise for its customer support. The support team is entirely in-house and dedicated to consistent assistance. Users frequently highlight the team’s responsiveness, patience, and effectiveness in resolving issues.

To reach the KORONA POS support, phone, email, and chat are offered during business hours, including training and installation assistance. 24/7 emergency phone support is available to all clients for critical issues that halt business operations, offering vital peace of mind for retailers. Not to mention support videos and an online manual is always available to utilize.

Support is offered by phone, email, and through Clover accounts. While Clover states 24/7 support availability, user experiences have often stated otherwise. Reviews across platforms like G2, BBB, and TrustPilot report difficulties reaching their support. Clover’s support is also often handled by the third-party reseller that sold the system or agents based overseas.

My favorite aspect of KORONA POS is its inventory management feature. It offers comprehensive tools that make tracking stock levels, managing reorders, and analyzing inventory turnover straightforward and efficient.

– Mohammed A.