4 criteria
Merchly vs. Clover
Merchly vs. Clover for businesses that need more than in-store hardware.
The short version
Clover is a point-of-sale hardware and software platform, typically sold through a bank or ISO with its own underwriting. Merchly focuses on getting the merchant account itself approved and priced transparently, with hardware to match.
Side by sideLast reviewed August 2026
How Merchly and Clover differ.
| Criteria | Merchly | Clover |
|---|---|---|
| High-risk & regulated industries | Specializes in placing high-risk merchants that standard bank underwriting declines. | Underwriting runs through the issuing bank/ISO and follows standard risk guidelines. |
| Pricing model | Interchange-plus pricing, disclosed and itemized. | Pricing varies by reseller; often tiered or bundled with hardware plans. |
| Hardware | POS and terminal hardware configured to your setup, from countertop to mobile. | Clover Station, Mini, and Flex hardware sold as a proprietary ecosystem. |
| Contract terms | Month-to-month, no early termination fee. | Terms vary by reseller and often include multi-year agreements. |
High-risk & regulated industries
- Merchly
- Specializes in placing high-risk merchants that standard bank underwriting declines.
- Clover
- Underwriting runs through the issuing bank/ISO and follows standard risk guidelines.
Pricing model
- Merchly
- Interchange-plus pricing, disclosed and itemized.
- Clover
- Pricing varies by reseller; often tiered or bundled with hardware plans.
Hardware
- Merchly
- POS and terminal hardware configured to your setup, from countertop to mobile.
- Clover
- Clover Station, Mini, and Flex hardware sold as a proprietary ecosystem.
Contract terms
- Merchly
- Month-to-month, no early termination fee.
- Clover
- Terms vary by reseller and often include multi-year agreements.
This comparison reflects general, publicly documented policies as of the time of writing and is not exhaustive or a substitute for each provider's current terms. Confirm details directly with Clover before making a decision.
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