Clover vs PHP POS

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Our analysts compared Clover vs PHP POS based on data from our 400+ point analysis of POS Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

Clover Software Tool

Product Basics

Clover is an all-in-one point of sale system that helps users manage staff and clients, monitor inventory, create and view reports and track revenue streams. Users can personalize workflows by integrating multiple modules and third-party developers. Its dashboard simplifies real-time monitoring of sales, refunds and customer spending from any device.-

It connects to the cloud, allowing users to access sales, reimbursements, deposits and reports regardless of location. It also offers hardware like Clover Mini, flex, go device and a station with a cash drawer and receipt printer.

Pros
  • Reliable hardware & design
  • User-friendly interface
  • Strong customer support
  • Variety of apps & integrations
  • Competitive pricing for low volumes
Cons
  • Higher fees for high volume
  • Limited reporting & inventory
  • Costly hardware upgrades
  • Contracts for some plans
  • Not ideal for complex needs
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PHP POS is an open-source point-of-sale system designed for small businesses and individual entrepreneurs. It offers essential POS features like product management, inventory tracking, sales recording, and basic reporting. Users praise its customizability and low cost, often opting for self-hosted installations to keep expenses minimal. However, setup and maintenance require technical expertise, making it less suitable for beginners or businesses needing extensive support. Compared to paid competitors, PHP POS lacks advanced features like multi-store management, employee permissions, and integrations with popular apps. While users appreciate its flexibility and cost-effectiveness, they also acknowledge the trade-off in terms of user-friendliness and functionality. Pricing varies depending on hosting and customization needs, but self-hosted installations start around $50, with additional fees for premium themes and plugins.

Pros
  • Free & open-source
  • Highly customizable
  • Low cost to self-host
  • Simple & intuitive interface
  • Basic features for most needs
Cons
  • Requires technical expertise
  • Limited advanced features
  • No multi-store support
  • Minimal customer support
  • Potential security risks
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$0.10/Transaction, 2.3% Flat Rate
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Tailored to your specific needs
$8/Month, Freemium
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Tailored to your specific needs
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Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile

Product Assistance

Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support

Product Insights

  • Streamlined operations: Simplify daily tasks like checkout, inventory management, and employee management, freeing up time and resources for other aspects of your business.
  • Enhanced customer experience: Offer your customers faster checkout times, convenient payment options, and loyalty programs to build stronger relationships and boost repeat business.
  • Data-driven insights: Gain access to comprehensive sales reports, inventory tracking, and customer analytics to make informed decisions about your business, optimize operations, and identify growth opportunities.
  • Scalability and flexibility: Adapt to your evolving business needs with a variety of hardware options, app integrations, and customizable features, ensuring your POS system grows alongside your business.
  • Reliable support: Access dedicated customer support via phone, email, and online resources to get help quickly and resolve any issues that may arise.
  • Security and peace of mind: Benefit from industry-leading security features to protect your customer data and financial information, giving you peace of mind and building trust with your customers.
  • Improved employee efficiency: Empower your employees with easy-to-use tools for managing orders, tracking tasks, and accessing customer information, leading to increased productivity and better customer service.
  • Mobile accessibility: Manage your business on the go with Clover's mobile app, allowing you to take payments, track sales, and monitor inventory from anywhere.
  • Integration with existing tools: Connect Clover with your existing accounting software, marketing platform, and other business tools to create a seamless workflow and eliminate data silos.
  • Payment flexibility: Accept a wide range of payment methods, including credit cards, debit cards, contactless payments, and gift cards, to cater to your customers' preferences and boost sales.
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  • Unleash Your Inner Tweak Master: PHP POS's open-source nature lets you customize it to your exact needs. Craft bespoke workflows, tailor reports, and even build custom plugins - the possibilities are endless.
  • Cost-Conscious Champion: Ditch the hefty price tags of closed-source POS systems. PHP POS is free to download and use, with minimal hosting costs and optional add-ons for advanced needs. Save your resources for what truly matters - growing your business.
  • Data Detective: Gain valuable insights into your operations with built-in reporting tools. Track sales trends, analyze inventory levels, and identify customer buying patterns to make informed decisions and optimize your business strategy.
  • Tech-Savvy Simplicity: Don't be intimidated by complex interfaces. PHP POS boasts a user-friendly design that makes it easy for anyone, from seasoned cashiers to tech newbies, to navigate and master the system quickly.
  • Community Connection: You're not alone in your POS journey. PHP POS has a vibrant community of developers and users offering support, sharing tips, and contributing to the ongoing development of the platform.
  • Future-Proof Flexibility: As your business evolves, so can your POS. PHP POS's modular design allows you to add new features and integrations as your needs change, ensuring your system stays relevant and adaptable.
  • Security in Your Own Hands: Take control of your data security. Self-hosted installations give you complete ownership and oversight, allowing you to implement your preferred security measures and customize access permissions.
  • Investment in Openness: By choosing PHP POS, you're not just investing in a POS system, you're investing in an open-source philosophy. Contribute to the development community, share your knowledge, and help shape the future of POS technology.
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  • Intuitive interface: Easy-to-use touchscreen interface for quick navigation and efficient transactions.
  • Payment processing: Accepts major credit cards, debit cards, contactless payments, gift cards, and more.
  • Inventory management: Track stock levels, set alerts, and generate purchase orders to optimize inventory control.
  • Employee management: Track employee hours, assign permissions, and manage payroll with ease.
  • Sales reporting: Generate detailed sales reports to track revenue, analyze trends, and make informed business decisions.
  • Customer management: Store customer information, track purchase history, and create loyalty programs to foster customer relationships.
  • App marketplace: Access a wide range of third-party apps to extend Clover's functionality and cater to specific business needs.
  • Hardware options: Choose from various terminals, card readers, and printers to create a custom POS setup that suits your business.
  • Mobile app: Manage your business on the go with Clover's mobile app for iOS and Android devices.
  • Cloud-based: Access data and manage your POS system from anywhere with an internet connection.
  • Security: Protects sensitive customer data with industry-leading security measures.
  • Customer support: Offers 24/7 customer support via phone, email, and online resources.
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  • Inventory Management: Count items, edit quantities, assign serial numbers, generate summaries, scan products, refill goods, view updates and more. Track inventory movement and avoid out of stocks with real-time updates. View reports and gain insightful access to sales data. 
  • Employee Management: Add new employees, grant permissions, create user-profiles and more with employee management tools. Record employee work hours using an integrated time clock. Access summarized information about recorded time in the form of reports. 
  • Offline: Skip internet connection hassles and work smoothly while offline. Log in and check the Offline Mode box to enable the functionality. Works only with a valid SSL certificate. Keep the browser open and log in to allow automatic sales screen sync. 
  • Reports: Use graphical, summary and detailed reports to provide insights into total sales, profit and loss, item totals, sum transactions, commissions, payments, customers and more. Generate custom reports to view stats for a specific category. 
  • Delivery: Accept orders, add customers, schedule delivery, manage shipping zones, process payments, send receipts, view status information, update details and control the complete delivery lifecycle using a flexible management system. 
  • Marketing: Create deals and promotions like "buy one get one free" and "flat 20% off" to strengthen customer loyalty and improve sales. Keep guests coming back for more using coupons, personalized rewards, gift cards and attractive offers. 
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Product Ranking

#3

among all
POS Software

#175

among all
POS Software

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Analyst Rating Summary

73
71
67
33
98
78
60
100
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Integration and Extensibility
Customer and Loyalty Management
Reporting and Insights
Types of POS
Employee Management
Integration and Extensibility
Inventory Management
Items and Service Management

Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

Clover
PHP POS
+ Add Product + Add Product
Compliance And Security Customer And Loyalty Management Employee Management Inventory Management Items And Service Management Payment Transactions And Cash Management POS Hardware Reporting And Insights Sales And Marketing Management Store Management Types Of POS 67 98 60 59 74 67 81 94 53 44 85 33 78 100 98 90 78 46 75 60 56 54 0 25 50 75 100
67%
0%
33%
33%
0%
67%
100%
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0%
80%
0%
20%
40%
0%
60%
100%
0%
0%
33%
0%
67%
100%
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71%
0%
29%
86%
0%
14%
56%
0%
44%
78%
0%
22%
60%
0%
40%
10%
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90%
88%
0%
12%
75%
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25%
40%
0%
60%
50%
0%
50%
33%
0%
67%
44%
0%
56%
75%
0%
25%
50%
0%
50%

Analyst Ratings for Technical Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

100%
0%
0%
100%
0%
0%

User Sentiment Summary

Great User Sentiment 376 reviews
Excellent User Sentiment 304 reviews
81%
of users recommend this product

Clover has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 81% when considering 376 user reviews from 4 recognized software review sites.

94%
of users recommend this product

PHP POS has a 'excellent' User Satisfaction Rating of 94% when considering 304 user reviews from 1 recognized software review sites.

4.6 (28)
n/a
3.9 (45)
n/a
4.0 (294)
4.7 (304)
4.4 (9)
n/a

Awards

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PHP POS stands above the rest by achieving an ‘Excellent’ rating as a User Favorite.

User Favorite Award

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Ease of use: Praised for its intuitive interface and touchscreen operation, enabling quick learning and adoption for new employees, saving training time and boosting efficiency.
App customization: Users love the vast app marketplace offering industry-specific integrations and features, like appointment booking for salons or online ordering for restaurants, tailoring Clover to unique business needs.
Data-driven insights: Detailed sales reports and inventory tracking are seen as game-changers, providing valuable data to optimize operations, identify marketing opportunities, and make informed business decisions.
Reliable hardware: Users appreciate the quality and durability of Clover hardware, minimizing downtime and disruptions during peak hours, with features like offline payments ensuring service even without internet.
Scalability and flexibility: Clover's ability to adapt to growing businesses is a plus, with various hardware options and plan upgrades facilitating smooth transitions as transaction volume and business needs increase.
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Simple and intuitive interface: Reduces training time and improves staff efficiency, especially for small businesses with limited tech experience. Many users praised the clean layout and logical workflow, allowing staff to focus on customer service rather than struggling with the POS system.
Streamlined inventory control: Real-time stock tracking, low-stock alerts, and barcode scanning minimize errors and prevent stockouts. Users reported significant reductions in inventory discrepancies and improved stock management, leading to fewer out-of-stocks and happier customers.
Adaptable to diverse needs: Wide range of features and integrations cater to specific industry requirements and business growth. From restaurant orders to appointment booking, many users highlighted the ability to customize the POS for their unique needs, eliminating the need for multiple software solutions.
Actionable sales reports: Gain valuable customer and performance insights to optimize marketing, staffing, and product offerings. Users appreciated the detailed reports and data analysis tools, enabling them to make data-driven decisions about promotions, staffing levels, and inventory.
Cost-effectiveness: Open-source option available: Free or affordable plans cater to various budgets and business sizes. Many users found PHP POS to be a budget-friendly alternative to proprietary POS systems, with options to scale as their business grows.
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Higher monthly fees for high volume: While competitive for low-volume businesses, Clover's transaction fees and higher-tier plan costs can become significant for businesses processing large volumes, making other options like Stripe potentially more cost-effective.
Limited reporting customization: Users with complex reporting needs may find Clover's report customization options insufficient, lacking the depth and flexibility offered by dedicated business intelligence tools or high-end POS systems.
Potential hardware lock-in: Some features require specific Clover hardware, making switching to other POS systems or even upgrading within Clover potentially expensive as existing hardware may not be compatible.
Occasional app limitations: While the app marketplace is vast, certain industry-specific features or integrations may be missing, requiring workarounds or alternative solutions if Clover doesn't fully address a specific business need.
Steeper learning curve for complex features: While basic operations are user-friendly, advanced features like inventory management or employee roles can require more training and familiarization, potentially slowing down adoption for some users.
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Limited customization options: May require technical expertise for advanced configurations or integrations, potentially hindering user experience for non-technical users. Some reviews mentioned challenges customizing receipts or reports without coding knowledge.
Reliance on community support: Open-source nature may require users to seek help from online communities or forums for troubleshooting or feature requests, potentially leading to delays or dependence on external resources. Users reported waiting for solutions or workarounds from the community, impacting workflow.
Compatibility concerns: Integration with specific hardware or software might require additional effort or custom development, potentially increasing costs or implementation time. Some users encountered difficulties connecting older hardware or niche software, requiring extra workarounds.
Scalability limitations: Free or basic plans may have limitations on features, data storage, or user accounts, potentially restricting growth for larger businesses. Some reviews mentioned outgrowing the features or data storage capacity of free plans, requiring paid upgrades.
Security considerations: Open-source nature may require additional vigilance and proactive security measures compared to closed-source solutions, potentially increasing IT workload. Some users expressed concerns about managing server security or keeping the software updated, especially for businesses with limited IT resources.
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Clover shines for its user-friendly interface and extensive app marketplace, winning praise for its ease of use and flexibility. "It took my new employee barely a day to get comfortable with the system," one restaurant owner shared. Users rave about the ability to customize Clover with industry-specific apps, like a salon owner who added online booking, saying it "streamlined appointments and boosted customer satisfaction." However, Clover's appeal may wane as businesses scale. Some users feel constrained by the reporting capabilities, wishing for the deeper customization offered by competitors like Shopify POS. "Clover reports were too basic for analyzing my inventory trends," noted one retailer. Additionally, transaction fees for high-volume businesses can become a sticking point compared to more cost-effective options like Stripe. Finally, some users caution about potential hardware lock-in, where switching to different POS systems or even upgrading within Clover can be expensive due to incompatible hardware. This can be a deal-breaker for businesses unsure about their long-term needs. Overall, Clover excels for smaller businesses or those prioritizing ease of use and app integrations. However, its limitations in reporting, fee structure, and hardware flexibility become more apparent as businesses grow, pushing them towards more powerful and scalable POS solutions. Ultimately, the choice boils down to prioritizing user-friendliness and flexibility in the early stages versus advanced features and scalability as a business matures.

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The buzz around PHP POS is mixed, painting a picture of a POS system with distinct strengths and weaknesses. Users laud its intuitive interface, streamlined inventory management, and adaptability, often praising it as a time-saver compared to clunkier alternatives. This simplicity makes it a hit with small businesses and those new to POS systems, allowing staff to focus on customers rather than software struggles. However, PHP POS stumbles in its lack of extensive customization options. Power users and those with unique needs may find themselves hitting walls, yearning for the deep integrations and bespoke configurations offered by its pricier competitors. Additionally, the open-source nature presents a double-edged sword: while it keeps costs down, it also throws users into the arms of online communities for troubleshooting and feature requests, potentially leading to frustrating delays. Ultimately, PHP POS shines for its user-friendliness, affordability, and solid core features. But for businesses demanding extensive customization, robust integrations, and hand-holding support, its limitations might outweigh its charms. Remember, choosing the right POS is a balancing act – weigh PHP POS's strengths against your specific needs to see if it strikes the perfect chord for your business.

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Screenshots

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