Clover fees
vs MidPay
Clover is sold by hundreds of providers, each setting its own rate on the same hardware. That is exactly why the sticker on the box tells you almost nothing about what you will actually pay.
Quick answer
Clover's commonly published standard rates are 2.6% + 10¢ in person and 3.5% + 10¢ keyed (as published at clover.com, rates as of 2026), plus tiered software plans and hardware. Because Clover is sold by many providers, your real rate depends on who sells it to you. Transparent interchange-plus discloses the markup, and dual pricing can cut net processing cost toward zero — on the same Clover-style hardware.
Clover is a capable point-of-sale ecosystem, and its devices show up everywhere for a reason. But Clover is a platform sold through a wide network of merchant services providers, and each of those providers sets its own processing rate on top of the same box. So "Clover's price" is really two questions: what does the software and hardware cost, and what rate did the reseller board you at?
Clover's three cost layers
Like most modern point-of-sale systems, Clover charges across three layers you should separate before signing.
- Software plans. Clover sells tiered subscriptions priced by industry and feature set, billed monthly and separate from processing.
- Hardware. Devices from the compact handheld to the full countertop station, bought outright or financed.
- Processing. The per-transaction rate — commonly published around 2.6% + 10¢ in person and 3.5% + 10¢ keyed on the standard plan, but set in practice by the reseller.
The math on $50,000/month
Take a retail shop running $50,000/month across roughly 2,500 transactions (a $20 average ticket), mostly in person.
| Line | Clover standard rate | Transparent (MidPay) |
|---|---|---|
| Headline structure | 2.6% + 10¢ in person | Interchange-plus or dual pricing |
| Percentage on $50,000 | ~$1,300 | Network cost passed through + small stated markup |
| Per-transaction (2,500 × 10¢) | ~$250 | Disclosed per-item fee |
| Plus software plan | Monthly, per plan tier | Bring your preferred tools |
| Estimated processing to you | ~$1,550/mo (~3.1% effective) | Lower on interchange-plus; near $0 net on dual pricing |
Illustrative model using Clover's commonly published in-person rate (2.6% + 10¢, rates as of 2026). Your real rate depends on the reselling provider, software plan, and card mix. Confirm against your own statement and written quote.
On Clover, the hardware is standardized. The rate is not — which means the rate is where you negotiate.
Where Clover's cost quietly grows
A flat-style Clover rate charges the same percentage on every card, so on a debit-heavy, low-ticket mix you overpay on the cheap cards — the same structural issue that affects any flat rate versus interchange-plus decision. On top of that, some Clover devices are locked to the provider that sold them, which can tie you to one processor's rates. Always ask whether the unit can be re-boarded before you buy.
What transparent pricing changes
You do not have to give up Clover-style hardware to get honest pricing. Two levers matter:
- Interchange-plus. Pass interchange and assessments through at cost and pay one small, stated markup — so you stop overpaying on cheap cards and can actually see the margin.
- Dual pricing. A compliant dual-pricing program passes the processing cost to card-paying customers, moving your net processing cost toward zero.
How to compare Clover to MidPay honestly
Ignore the box sticker and compare effective rate — total fees divided by total card volume. Pull a recent Clover statement, add software and processing, and divide by card sales. Then get a written interchange-plus or dual-pricing quote modeled on your actual mix, and confirm whether your hardware is locked.
Frequently asked questions
What are Clover's processing fees?
As published at clover.com (rates as of 2026), Clover's commonly listed standard rates are 2.6% + 10¢ in person and 3.5% + 10¢ keyed on its standard plan, though exact rates vary by software plan and by the provider selling Clover. Software subscriptions are billed separately.
Does Clover charge a monthly software fee?
Yes. Clover sells tiered software plans priced by industry and feature set, separate from the processing rate and from hardware. Your total cost is software plus hardware plus processing, so evaluate all three.
Is Clover cheaper than transparent processing?
It depends on volume and card mix. Clover's flat-style rates bundle interchange, assessments, and markup; interchange-plus discloses the markup and dual pricing can move net cost toward zero. At meaningful volume, transparent pricing often costs less — compare on effective rate.
Can I keep my Clover device and switch processors?
Sometimes. Some Clover units are locked to the reseller that sold them, while others can be re-boarded to a different provider. Confirm whether the device is locked before buying, because a locked Clover can tie you to one processor's rates.
Key takeaways
- Clover's commonly published rates are 2.6% + 10¢ in person and 3.5% + 10¢ keyed (rates as of 2026), plus software and hardware.
- Clover is sold by many providers, so your real rate depends on who boards you — the rate is negotiable even when the hardware is not.
- Interchange-plus discloses the markup; dual pricing can move net processing cost toward zero on similar hardware.
- Compare on effective rate from a real statement, and always check whether your Clover device is locked to one processor.
Sources & how to verify
Clover rates and plans: Clover published pricing at clover.com (rates as of 2026); actual rates vary by software plan and by the merchant services provider reselling Clover. Cost layers referenced from the Visa USA Interchange Reimbursement Fee schedules and Mastercard U.S. Interchange Rate program tables. Dual-pricing and surcharge treatment follow card-network merchant rules and applicable state law. All dollar figures above are illustrative — verify against your own Clover statement and a written quote.
See your real number vs Clover
Send us a recent Clover statement and we will separate software from processing, calculate your true effective rate, and show you what transparent pricing looks like on the same volume.
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