A Clover alternative without the app fees or lock-in.
Clover's hardware is slick, but it's usually sold through a bank or reseller — with a rate that varies, app subscriptions stacked on the software, and hardware tied to your processor. Surge keeps it simple: one clear rate, a free POS, and local support.
Why owners look for a Clover alternative
Clover isn’t one company selling one price — it’s a device sold through many banks and resellers, each setting their own rate and plan. So two shops with identical Clover stations can pay very different amounts, and the monthly total often grows as “essential” apps get added on top of the software plan.
Surge is the opposite of a reseller maze: 2.5% + 15¢ in person, a one-time $10 setup, no monthly fee, no app subscriptions, and a full point-of-sale included free. Nothing tied to hardware you can’t reuse, and no contract you can’t leave.
Clover is commonly sold through banks and resellers, so the rate you actually get varies a lot. Surge is one stated 2.5% + 15¢ in person, everywhere.
Clover software plans and add-on apps commonly carry their own monthly fees. Surge includes a full point-of-sale free with your payments.
Clover hardware is often tied to the processor that sold it and hard to reuse elsewhere. Surge runs on the device you already have.
In-person setup across the GTA and Durham and a human on the phone — not a hand-off to whichever reseller signed you up.
How Surge compares to Clover
Because Clover terms are set by whoever sold you the machine, treat the right-hand column as common patterns — your own plan is in your agreement.
| Surge | Clover (typical) | |
|---|---|---|
| In-person rate | 2.5% + 15¢, clearly stated | Varies by reseller / bank |
| Monthly fee | $0 | Software plan + app fees commonly apply |
| Contract | None — cancel anytime | Often set by the reselling processor |
| POS software | Included free | Tiered plans + paid apps |
| Hardware | Runs on your device; terminal $10 setup | Proprietary, often processor-locked |
| Support | Local, real human | Depends on the reseller |
Clover is sold through many resellers, so pricing and contract terms vary widely; check the agreement from your specific provider.
See what you'd save vs your Clover plan
Drag the sliders to your real monthly card volume and average ticket. Add your Clover software and app fees on top of your rate, and the yearly gap versus Surge’s flat 2.5% + 15¢ gets clear fast.
That is about 800 transactions a month.
Estimate only. Compares a common 2.9% + $0.30 per-transaction rate against Surge pricing of 2.5% + $0.15 per transaction. Your exact savings are confirmed on the call.
Not sure what your Clover reseller is actually charging? Send us your statement and we’ll break it down — or learn what counts as a junk fee.
A POS you own, not rent
Where Clover locks the software behind plans and the apps behind subscriptions, Surge includes a full point-of-sale free — inventory, reports and refunds — on hardware you already own. Running a restaurant or a shop? See POS for restaurants or POS for retail.
See exactly what you'd save vs Clover
A free 15-minute call, a clear quote, and the real dollar difference — no pressure, no jargon.
This page is general information, not financial or legal advice, and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Clover or Fiserv. Clover is a trademark of its owner. Because Clover is sold through many resellers, pricing and terms vary widely — confirm your own agreement before switching.