Clover Online Ordering

Clover Online Ordering is a restaurant ordering service that routes digital orders into Clover POS. It is best suited to restaurants already using eligible Clover hardware that want takeout, curbside, delivery, and dine-in orders in a shared workflow. Its no-subscription-fee option is appealing, but hardware and software-plan restrictions narrow its fit.

Overview

Clover creates an ordering webpage that also appears in the Clover mobile app, with orders sent to both Clover POS and the kitchen team. That keeps online orders within the restaurant’s Clover workflow rather than adding a separate order-management destination. Menu and operating-detail changes sync automatically after setup, which reduces the work of keeping the ordering page aligned with current operations.

Customers can order for takeout, curbside pickup, delivery, or dine-in. Scan to Order and Scan to Pay let dine-in guests order and pay on their phones. Scheduled pickup allows customers to choose a later time within the advance-order window set by the merchant; for curbside pickup, customers can provide vehicle information to help staff identify them.

Key features

• POS and kitchen routing: Online orders go to Clover POS and the kitchen team, making the service a stronger fit for restaurants that want to manage digital orders alongside their Clover operations.
• DoorDash and Grubhub delivery workflows: Clover processes online delivery orders in POS and dispatches them through DoorDash. Grubhub can also be integrated; its orders are managed in Clover without a separate tablet, and its menu syncs with the Clover online-ordering menu.
• Ordering plus engagement: The Clover mobile app supports ordering as well as rewards, promotions, and perks, bringing customer engagement into the same app presence.
• Hosted-ordering security: Clover says its hosted online-ordering platform meets applicable PCI DSS requirements, validated by a Qualified Security Assessor. Clover handles PCI compliance and script management for Clover-hosted ordering; merchants using their own domains, APIs, or iframe integrations are responsible for their own PCI compliance.
• Support: Clover advertises telephone, chat, and email support around the clock.

Pricing

The Clover Online Ordering plan costs nothing, with no setup or subscription fees for takeout, curbside pickup, or dine-in. That makes the core ordering option attractive to an eligible Clover merchant that wants those order types without a recurring ordering-plan charge. Delivery fees may apply, so delivery should not be assumed to be cost-free.

The free plan has important prerequisites: a Clover POS device connected to a printer is required, and the plan is unavailable on Payments Plus and Register Lite software plans. It is therefore not a standalone option for restaurants without compatible Clover hardware or on either excluded software plan. Pricing for other service arrangements is custom pricing.

Platforms

Clover Online Ordering supports Android, iOS, and web. Customers can order through a webpage and the Clover mobile app; the app presence is not a restaurant-branded mobile app, which may matter to operators seeking a distinct branded app experience.

Who it's for

This is a practical fit for restaurants using a Clover Station Solo, Station Duo, Mini, or Flex connected to a printer, especially those that want takeout, curbside, dine-in, and delivery orders handled through Clover POS. Scheduled pickup, curbside vehicle details, and the Grubhub workflow address specific service needs rather than simply adding another menu page.

It is a weaker choice for merchants who do not use eligible Clover hardware, whose software plan is Payments Plus or Register Lite, or who need a restaurant-branded mobile app. Restaurants considering delivery should also account for possible delivery fees.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Several order types share one Clover workflow. Takeout, curbside, delivery, and dine-in orders reach Clover POS and the kitchen team.
• Pro: Grubhub does not require a separate tablet in this workflow. Orders are managed in Clover and the Grubhub menu syncs with the Clover ordering menu.
• Pro: No setup or subscription fees for core non-delivery order types. Takeout, curbside pickup, and dine-in are covered by the free plan.
• Con: Eligible Clover hardware is mandatory. A supported Clover device connected to a printer is required, limiting access for restaurants outside that setup.
• Con: Two software plans are excluded, and delivery fees may apply. Payments Plus and Register Lite cannot use the free plan, while delivery may introduce fees.
• Con: No branded mobile app. Restaurants wanting their own branded app will need another option.

Alternatives

Lunchbox is worth considering for restaurants that want a free option with plans priced at $0 for one to two locations, including its SMB plan with zero sign-up and commission fees; Clover is more directly suited to operators already equipped for Clover POS.

Cadeau is a gift-card alternative rather than a like-for-like restaurant ordering system, with a free Pay As You Go option and a 3% per-transaction fee.

GiftFly is another gift-card-focused alternative, with no monthly charges and 5,000 promotional emails free per month; its online Stripe processing carries a 2.90% + $0.30 per-card transaction fee.

For restaurant gift card and marketing choices, compare Restaurant Gift Card Software and Restaurant Marketing Software. To compare other services built around restaurant online ordering, see Restaurant Online Ordering Software.

SavoryTab Gift Cards, Voucher Connect, Podium Cards, Factor4, and Gift Up! are additional alternatives to consider.

Verdict

Choose Clover Online Ordering if your restaurant already has eligible Clover hardware and wants multiple order types managed through Clover POS without a setup or subscription fee for takeout, curbside pickup, or dine-in. Look elsewhere if you need a branded mobile app, cannot meet the hardware or software-plan requirements, or need delivery costs to be predictable.