Running a restaurant means juggling a lot at once—orders, staff, inventory, customer expectations, and, of course, payment processing. Your point-of-sale (POS) system isn’t just a cash register anymore—it’s the operational backbone of your restaurant.

Two of the most talked-about POS systems in the restaurant industry today are Toast and Clover. Both offer powerful tools, but if you’re a small-to-medium-sized restaurant owner focused on long-term value, Clover—offered by First National Processing—delivers more flexibility, lower costs, and better support.

Let’s break down what you need to know when comparing Toast and Clover—and why thousands of restaurants are making the switch.

Toast POS: Restaurant-Focused, Feature-Rich—but at What Cost?

Toast is known for offering a POS system designed only for restaurants. Their hardware is durable, their software includes advanced tools for complex workflows, and their online ordering capabilities are solid. They cater well to enterprise restaurants and chains with multiple locations and extensive operational requirements.

But if you’re running a growing restaurant that needs to control costs and stay nimble, Toast comes with some serious downsides:

• High setup costs (often $500+)
• Long-term contracts with steep cancellation penalties
• Complex pricing that includes extra monthly charges for loyalty, online ordering, delivery integrations, and more
• Limited hardware variety
• No instant funding or rapid deposit options
• Reputation for inconsistent customer support as they’ve scaled

Toast is powerful, but you’re paying for features you may not need—and may not use.

Clover POS: Versatile, Scalable, and Built for Real Restaurant Life

Clover is a modern, cloud-based POS system backed by Fiserv, a Fortune 500 financial services company with decades of experience supporting small businesses. It’s known for its sleek hardware, flexible features, and cost-effective pricing.

Here’s why Clover is winning over restaurants in 2025:

1. Lower Total Cost of Ownership

Clover costs up to 38% less than Toast over a 3-year period. Toast piles on charges for basic features, while Clover includes essentials like:

• Online ordering
• Loyalty programs
• Delivery platform integrations
• Gift card functionality
• Scheduling and customer engagement tools

These bundled features help restaurants keep monthly expenses predictable and manageable.

2. Flexible Hardware Options

Clover offers a broad lineup of modern hardware to fit every kind of restaurant:

• Clover Go: Accept payments on-the-go via smartphone
• Clover Flex: A handheld POS with built-in printer, NFC, LTE, and scanner
• Clover Mini: Compact and powerful for smaller spaces
• Clover Station Solo & Duo: Full-service terminals for high-volume operations
• Kiosks and KDS systems (14” and 24″)

Toast’s limited hardware options mean less flexibility and more compromises, especially for fast-paced or mobile environments.

3. Faster Access to Funds with Rapid Deposit

Clover offers Rapid Deposit, allowing eligible merchants to receive funds within minutes. Toast lacks an equivalent feature, meaning restaurants must wait 2-3 days for payouts. In an industry where cash flow is crucial, this can be a major disadvantage.

4. Transparent, Predictable Pricing

Clover is known for straightforward pricing. With Clover, you’ll know what you’re paying for—no surprise integration charges, and no expensive add-ons for essential services. Toast often requires extra fees for features that Clover includes in its base plans.

5. Seamless Setup and Support

First National Processing offers hands-on, local support for Clover installations. Restaurant owners benefit from personalized onboarding, faster setup, and local reps who help with configuration and staff training. Toast’s centralized implementation process has earned mixed reviews, with many restaurants citing delays and miscommunication.

Real-World Usability: Clover Is More Intuitive

Restaurant staff and managers need POS systems that are easy to learn and use. Clover’s user-friendly interface ensures most team members can be trained in under 30 minutes. Features like one-touch ordering, fast check splitting, and mobile access make it a favorite for restaurant operators.

Toast, while powerful, has a steeper learning curve—especially for smaller or fast-paced establishments where simplicity and speed matter most.

Integration Capabilities: No Gatekeeping with Clover

Both systems offer third-party integrations, but Toast charges $25/month per location for access to its partner integration ecosystem. Clover gives access to over 400+ apps through the Clover App Market—with no monthly gatekeeping fees.

Clover integrates with leading tools like Gusto (payroll), MarketMan (inventory), Homebase (scheduling), QuickBooks (accounting), and more.

Contracts and Flexibility: Avoid Long-Term Lock-In

Toast requires a two-year contract with costly early termination penalties. If your restaurant’s needs change, you’re stuck paying for a system that no longer fits.

Clover, through First National Processing, offers month-to-month options and affordable hardware leasing—allowing you to adjust as your business grows.

Security and Compliance

Both Clover and Toast offer PCI-compliant systems and secure payment processing. Clover devices, backed by Fiserv, include additional hardware-level protections and enterprise-grade encryption, making them highly trusted in the fintech space.

Who Should Choose Toast?

Toast might be the right fit if you:

• Run a multi-location chain with advanced reporting needs
• Have an IT team to manage features and integrations
• Are comfortable paying more for restaurant-specific enterprise tools

Who Should Choose Clover?

Clover is ideal for:

• Independent restaurants or growing local chains
• Owners who want affordable, all-in-one solutions
• Operators who need flexible hardware options
• Businesses looking for responsive support and predictable pricing

Summary Comparison

Take the Next Step: Choose the POS That Puts Your Restaurant First

Your POS system should empower your team, streamline operations, and support your growth—not weigh you down with unnecessary costs and complexity.

Clover delivers on all fronts—flexibility, transparency, support, and savings. Whether you’re opening your first location or upgrading from an outdated POS, Clover makes it easy to get started.

With First National Processing, you’ll have a partner that understands your business and provides the tools you need to succeed.

Interested in learning more or seeing a live demo? Visit FirstNationalProcessing.com to request a personalized quote or a side-by-side cost breakdown of Toast vs. Clover.

Make the smart switch to Clover and discover what a restaurant-focused, small business-friendly POS system can really do.