In a world where digital transactions have become the norm rather than the exception, having a reliable, efficient, and affordable payment processing provider is a business imperative. The UK market is no exception, with two dominant players: Elavon vs Clover.
This article aims to compare these two providers, examining their offerings, features, costs, and customer support, to help UK businesses decide which is the better fit for their unique needs.
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Elavon vs Clover
| Feature / Fee | Elavon | Clover |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated Payment Solutions | Yes | Yes |
| Flexibility and Customisation | Limited | High (with App Market) |
| Security Features | High (encryption, tokenisation, fraud monitoring) | Standard |
| Customer Support | 24/7 | 24/7 |
| Global Payments | Supports over 120 currencies | Limited |
| POS Systems | Limited range | Wide range (from small handheld devices to full-scale POS systems) |
| Inventory Management | Limited | Integrated with POS system |
| Employee Management | Limited | Integrated with POS system |
| Customer Relationship Management | Limited | Integrated with POS system |
| Pricing Structure | Interchange-plus pricing | Flat-rate pricing |
| Transaction Fees | Variable (depends on interchange rate + markup) | Fixed (depends on plan chosen) |
| Monthly Fees | Variable (depends on services used) | Starts from £0 (for basic software) up to £69.95 (for comprehensive POS systems) |
| Setup Fees | Typically none | Typically none |
| Hardware Costs | Varies (based on specific hardware chosen) | Varies (based on specific hardware chosen) |
| Early Termination Fees | May apply (depending on contract) | May apply (depending on contract) |
Please note that this table offers a broad comparison and actual costs and features may vary based on individual business needs and specific agreements with the providers. It’s recommended to check the latest details with each provider before making a decision.
Overview of Elavon
Elavon is a global payment processor that serves more than one million merchants globally. The company offers solutions for businesses of all sizes and industries. Its services encompass everything from mobile payments and online transactions to payment terminals and integrated payment systems. Elavon has a strong presence in the UK, with a reputation for providing secure, reliable, and customer-focused services.
Key features of Elavon
Elavon’s solutions are designed to offer seamless and secure transactions. Key features include:
- Integrated payment solutions: Elavon offers integrated payment solutions, allowing businesses to accept payments both online and offline, via mobile devices, tablets, or in-person.
- Flexible pricing: Elavon operates on an interchange-plus pricing model, providing a transparent fee structure.
- Global reach: With Elavon, businesses can accept payments in over 120 currencies.
- Robust security: Elavon employs advanced security measures such as encryption, tokenisation, and fraud monitoring to protect transactions.
- 24/7 customer support: Elavon provides around-the-clock customer service and technical support.
Overview of Clover
Clover, owned by Fiserv, is a point-of-sale (POS) system and payment processor that offers a wide array of products, from small card readers to full-fledged POS systems. The company focuses on providing flexible and scalable solutions for businesses.
Key features of Clover
Clover’s offerings are built around flexibility and customisation. Its main features are:
- Scalable solutions: Clover offers a variety of hardware, ranging from handheld devices to comprehensive POS systems, making it adaptable for businesses of different sizes and needs.
- App market: Clover’s app market allows businesses to customise their systems with various applications to suit specific needs.
- Integrated system: Clover integrates payment processing with other business operations, such as inventory management, employee management, and customer relationship management.
- Simple pricing: Clover operates on a flat-rate pricing model, which is easy to understand, though not always the cheapest.
- 24/7 customer support: Like Elavon, Clover also offers 24/7 customer support.
Elavon vs Clover – The comparison
Having examined the key features of both Elavon and Clover, we can now delve into a comparison between the two, focusing on costs, ease of use, customer support, and user reviews.
Costs
In terms of cost, Elavon operates on an interchange-plus pricing model, which is transparent but can be complex to understand. Each transaction cost comprises a base fee (the interchange) plus a markup. This model may offer better value to businesses with high transaction volumes.
Clover, on the other hand, has a simple flat-rate pricing model. Each transaction has a fixed fee, which makes costs predictable, but may not be the most cost-effective solution for businesses with a high volume of transactions.
Ease of use
Both Elavon and Clover are designed to offer ease of use.
Elavon’s systems are straightforward, and its integrated payment solutions are easy to implement.
Clover shines in terms of its customisable POS systems. The app market allows businesses to tailor their system to their needs, offering an intuitive user interface and easy-to-understand reports and analytics.
Customer support
Both Elavon and Clover offer 24/7 customer support. However, user reviews suggest that Clover’s customer service may be more responsive and quicker to resolve issues. That said, the quality of customer service often depends on individual experiences and can vary.
User reviews
Reviews for both Elavon and Clover are mixed. Users appreciate Elavon for its robust security, reliable service, and integrated payment solutions. However, some users have reported challenges with the complex pricing structure and unanticipated fees.
Clover is generally praised for its scalable and flexible solutions, ease of use, and intuitive interface. However, the company has received criticism for its relatively higher transaction fees and occasional hardware issues.
Conclusion
Choosing between Elavon and Clover largely depends on a business’s specific needs.
Elavon may be a better fit for businesses seeking a global reach, robust security, and integrated payment solutions, albeit with a potentially complex pricing structure.
Clover might be a better choice for businesses looking for flexible, scalable, and user-friendly systems with simple, though not always the cheapest, pricing.
Ultimately, both Elavon and Clover offer robust and reliable payment processing solutions. Businesses should weigh the costs, features, customer support, and user experiences to make the most informed decision.
It may also be beneficial to seek expert advice or consider a trial period with each provider to identify which service suits the business best.
FAQ
Both Elavon and Clover offer solutions that cater to a wide range of business types and sizes. Restaurants, retailers, and service-based businesses can find beneficial features from both providers.
Both Elavon and Clover provide 24/7 customer support. However, user experiences with their customer service can vary. Some users report that Clover’s customer service tends to be more responsive.
Yes, both Elavon and Clover offer integrated payment solutions that allow businesses to handle both online and offline transactions.
Elavon and Clover both prioritise transaction security. Elavon uses advanced security measures such as encryption, tokenisation, and fraud monitoring. Clover also follows industry-standard security protocols.
Typically, neither Elavon nor Clover charges setup fees. However, this may depend on your specific agreement with the provider.
Yes, both Elavon and Clover provide a range of POS hardware. However, Clover offers a more extensive range, from small card readers to full-fledged POS systems.
Elavon uses an interchange-plus pricing model, while Clover operates on a flat-rate model. The actual transaction fees depend on the model and the specifics of each transaction.
Elavon supports over 120 currencies, making it more suitable for international transactions. Clover, on the other hand, has more limited global support.
Yes, both Elavon and Clover support mobile payments, enabling businesses to accept payments on-the-go.
Both Elavon and Clover strive to provide user-friendly systems. Clover stands out with its intuitive user interface and easy-to-understand reports and analytics.
Elavon offers limited integration with other business functions. Clover’s systems, however, are highly integrable, allowing for inventory, employee management, and customer relationship management.
Yes, both Elavon and Clover offer contactless payment options, including mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Both Elavon and Clover may charge early termination fees, depending on the specifics of your contract.
Elavon’s interchange-plus pricing model is transparent but may be complex for some users to understand. Clover’s flat-rate pricing model is simpler and more predictable, but not always the most cost-effective.
Yes, both Elavon and Clover offer e-commerce solutions, enabling businesses to accept payments online.
Both Elavon and Clover have a strong reputation for reliability. However, like with any technology, occasional issues may arise.
While Elavon offers limited customisation options, Clover’s strength lies in its flexibility. Clover’s App Market allows for extensive customisation to fit your business’s specific needs.
For Elavon, understanding the interchange-plus pricing model can help negotiate the best rates. With Clover, choosing the right plan based on your transaction volume can ensure cost-effectiveness.
Consider your business’s specific needs, such as transaction volume, international transactions, required integrations, customisability, and budget.
Reviews for both Elavon and Clover are mixed. It’s best to look at reviews from businesses similar to yours to get an idea of what to expect.