For credit card processing for food trucks, compare the full checkout cost and how the system works at a service window—not just the advertised swipe rate. Square publishes US restaurant plan rates and food-truck features; Clover Go is another mobile option, but the documented $9.95 monthly fee is specific to a Wells Fargo merchant account. Current evidence does not support an honest six-provider ranking, so this guide focuses on the two options with verifiable terms and explains what to check before choosing.
What to compare before choosing a food-truck processor
Your real cost depends on the payment mix and the equipment and software you need. Compare the same items across written quotes and the provider’s current pricing page:
- In-person card rate: Record the percentage and fixed fee per transaction, and confirm which plan it applies to.
- Other payment types: Check separate rates for online orders, invoices, manually keyed payments, and card-on-file transactions.
- Recurring charges: Include POS software and merchant-account fees, not only processing fees.
- Hardware: Verify the current price, device compatibility, and whether the reader needs a paired phone or tablet.
- Offline transactions: Find out how long transactions can remain offline, what happens when connectivity returns, and who bears the risk if a payment is declined.
- Workflow: Check whether the system supports mobile ordering, menu and order updates, and catering invoices if you need them.
- Agreement terms: Confirm contract length, cancellation requirements, and any applicable fees with the provider that will actually service your account.
Fixed cents matter more on small tickets, while the percentage fee grows with the sale amount. Compare providers using your average ticket, expected monthly card volume, and the share of in-person, online, and keyed payments. A rate for one payment type cannot be used to estimate another.
Square: food-truck tools and published US plan rates
Square markets a POS for food trucks with portable checkout hardware, online ordering for pickup, catering invoices, and offline payment acceptance. Its US restaurant pricing page lists the following card-present rates. They are not the rates for online or manually keyed payments.
Recommended Free Tools
#1 Best Overall
- Get your money as soon as the next business day.
- Get set up quickly with no long-term commitments. Download the Square Point of Sale app for free, create an account, and start taking payments anywhere.
- Run your business all in one place with the free Square Point of Sale app. Track your sales, manage inventory, accept tips, send receipts digitally, and more.
- Works with Apple devices with a Lightning connector.
| Square plan | Published monthly subscription | Card-present rate |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 2.6% + 15¢ |
| Plus | Monthly fee per location; see Square’s current pricing page | 2.5% + 15¢ |
| Premium | Monthly fee per location; see Square’s current pricing page | 2.4% + 15¢ |
These are the rates displayed on Square’s US restaurant pricing page, accessed in 2026. That page separately lists online/invoice and manual-entry/card-on-file pricing; check those rates for your intended checkout methods rather than applying the card-present figures to every sale. Rates and plan fees can change.
Hardware choices
Square’s US hardware catalog lists these prices, accessed in 2026:
Rank #2
- Use the, easy-to-use, and customizable POS to get started.
- Accept contactless payments, chip cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay from anywhere, with improved connectivity, extended battery life, and enhanced security. Pay one low rate for every tap or dip.
- No long-term commitments or contracts, no monthly fees- and with offline payments, keep taking payments for up to 24 hours.
- Safely and securely accepts payments anywhere. Plus, get data security, 24/7 fraud prevention, and payment-dispute management at no extra cost.
- Use the, easy-to-use, and customizable POS to get started.
| Device | Listed price | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Square Reader for contactless and chip | $59 | Requires a compatible iOS or Android device. |
| Square Terminal | $299 | More integrated checkout device. |
| Square Handheld | $399 | Portable integrated device. |
| Square Register (2nd generation) | $899 | Register-style setup. |
Prices are listed in Square’s hardware catalog. Confirm current generation, compatibility, availability, and price before buying. The Reader’s lower upfront price comes with the need for a compatible phone or tablet; an integrated device may simplify the counter setup but costs more.
Offline payments are not guaranteed approvals
Square says offline transactions are sent when the device reconnects. If it does not reconnect within 24 hours of the first offline payment, transactions may be declined. Square also places responsibility for specified expired, declined, or disputed offline payments on the merchant. Review the conditions on Square’s food-truck POS page before relying on offline acceptance during a service shift.
Rank #3
- With Square Terminal, you can ring up sales, accept payments, and print receipts, all with one device. Use it at the counter or ring up customers anywhere in your store.
- Accept all major credit and debit cards and pay one low rate with no hidden fees and no long-term contracts.
- Process chip cards in just two seconds.
- Get your money as soon as the next business day.
- Use it cordlessly with the built-in battery, designed to last all day.
Clover Go through Wells Fargo: provider-specific terms
Wells Fargo describes Clover Go as a mobile reader that accepts chip, tap, and mobile-wallet payments and supports offline mode, with transactions processing when connectivity returns. Its page lists a $9.95 monthly merchant account fee. That fee is specific to the Wells Fargo offering and is not a processing rate; the page does not establish a universal Clover processing price or the total cost of every Clover agreement. Ask the provider servicing your account for card-present, online, keyed, hardware, and contract terms in writing.
See Wells Fargo’s Clover Go details for the terms associated with that provider.
Rank #4
- Pay one transparent rate per swipe for Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express.
- Works in conjunction with most downloadable Square point-of-sale apps on your device. Customers can pay, tip and sign directly on your device. Track payments in cash, gift cards and more. Also lets you send receipts via e-mail or text message, makes it easy to apply discounts, keeps a data and sales history log and more.
- Accepts magstripe credit card payments, including those from Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express (fees apply).
- App sends deposits to your bank account within 1 to 2 business days, or enjoy instant deposits (fees apply).
Why this is not a six-provider ranking
A “best six” comparison needs current, comparable US pricing and operational terms for each provider. The available evidence does not establish current official food-truck pricing and contract terms for Toast, US SumUp, or Stripe Terminal, and Clover terms vary by provider. SumUp pricing from Canada would not be a sound basis for a US fee comparison. Listing these services as ranked recommendations without current, comparable terms would imply evidence that is not available here.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- With Square Handheld, you can accept payments, take tableside orders, or scan barcodes anywhere. With a slim design and comfortable grip, the POS is easy to carry in your palm or pocket. Square Handheld is designed to withstand water splashes and dust. Add an optional protective case for accidental drops. A long-lasting battery and offline payments let you keep selling.
- Slim, pocketable, and lightweight so you can accept payments wherever your customers are.
- Take tableside orders, bust lines, or use the built-in barcode scanner, all with one sleek device.
- A battery that can power through your shift and offline payments let you keep selling, even if your internet is down.
- Accept all major credit and debit cards and pay one simple rate with no hidden fees and no long-term contracts required.
How to make the decision
- Map your payment mix. Estimate average ticket, monthly card volume, and the proportions of in-person, online, invoiced, and keyed sales.
- Choose the checkout setup. Decide whether a paired phone-and-reader arrangement works or you need a more integrated portable device.
- Calculate total monthly cost. Apply the applicable rate and per-transaction fee to each payment type, then add subscription, account, and hardware costs. Do not count a one-time hardware purchase as a recurring monthly fee.
- Check connectivity and risk. Confirm offline limits and declined-payment responsibility against your typical service locations and backup connectivity.
- Get provider-specific terms. Before signing, verify current rates, contract and cancellation terms, equipment costs, and support directly with the company or merchant-account provider.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →
