Best POS System New Zealand: A 2026 Guide

Having the right Point of Sale (POS) system is essential to your business’s success. Most importantly, they allow you to process payments seamlessly. They can also be used to track your inventory and contribute to your business’ success in a range of other ways.

With so many POS system options on the market, finding the right one can feel overwhelming. That’s why we’ve assembled a comprehensive rundown of the best POS systems in New Zealand. We’ll make it easy to find the right system for you and help your business run more smoothly.

Why Your POS System Choice Matters

Here are a few reasons why it’s essential to find the right POS system for your business:

• Smooth operations: A great POS system keeps your business humming, while a poor one can cause real headaches. You want to support your business in the best way possible, so finding something that assists your day-to-day operations is vital.
• Easy integrations: The best POS systems integrate with other elements of your business, such as EFTPOS, accounting software, and delivery apps, so everything is in one place. The right system for your business should offer the integrations you need to maximise your success.
• Happy customers: Smoother operations mean more satisfied customers. Nobody likes waiting in long queues while you figure out glitches in your system. This keeps customers happy and coming back for more.
• Data and insights: POS systems process a lot of data. You can use this data to learn more about your products and customers. This allows you to improve your business’s profitability. Look out for a system with built-in data analysis and insights that help your business grow.

Important Considerations When Choosing the Best POS System

To find the best POS system for your business, you need to consider the key features that make up a POS system. Here are the main aspects you need to be aware of.

POS Hardware

The most fundamental part of a POS system is the computer that runs POS software. This computer is generally linked to a screen so you can use the system.

To process payments, POS systems need to be linked to a payment processing system, such as an EFTPOS machine, allowing you to send transactions to it seamlessly. POS systems can also include other tools such as receipt printers and cash drawers.

When selecting POS hardware, consider questions like:

• Durability: Is your POS hardware built to last?
• Portability: Can you configure your system to operate on the go, or are you bound to your countertop?
• Payment processing: How well does your POS hardware integrate with payment processing? Are you able to accept your customers’ favourite payment types, including contactless payments?

POS ​​Software

The next critical aspect of POS systems to consider is software. This is the “brain” that allows your system to function.

POS software should help you process sales smoothly and efficiently. It can also go above and beyond with a range of other features, including:

• Inventory management: For many businesses, each transaction affects inventory. This means that you can integrate your POS software into your inventory management workflows. Many POS systems allow you to manage inventory entirely inside your POS system.
• Integrations: By integrating with third-party software, such as accounting applications, you can keep your business operations in one place, making it easier to conduct day-to-day tasks like reconciliations. 
• Data analysis: The best POS systems allow you to tap into all the data they naturally collect about your business. This can help you identify your peak times of day, best-selling items, etc., allowing you to maximise revenue through promotions, loyalty programs, and more.
• Industry requirements: Tailored POS solutions have specific features to help you become the very best in your industry. For example, hospitality-specific POS systems can support online ordering, at-table ordering, self-ordering kiosks and much more.

Ease of Use: Your Team’s Daily Experience

Your business needs a system with the essential POS features to help you grow. However, you also need to make sure it’s simple for your whole team to pick up and start using.

Here are a few things to consider in this area:

• Onboarding: How easily can your team get on board with your new system? What training materials or demos are provided? Don’t forget to think about future employees who’ll need to learn the system quickly.
• Interface: Is the system’s user interface streamlined? Is it easy to complete the task at hand? Are you likely to encounter much user error when using the system?
• Configuration and customisation: How well can you tweak the system to meet your business’ unique needs? 

Integration: Working Seamlessly With Your Other Tools

Running a successful business requires much more than just a great POS system. Your system needs to function well alongside all the other tools you use.

Look out for a POS system that integrates effectively with everything you use, including:

• Payroll and accounting software: POS systems help you stay on track with payroll and team management. For example, you can integrate your system with timesheets.
• Loyalty and marketing systems: Loyalty and marketing tools can also be a valuable integration with your POS system. For example, you can easily track whether a customer has made the necessary purchases to qualify for a reward.
• Booking and delivery tools: For hospitality businesses, effective integrations with these tools are critical to keep operations running smoothly. The right POS system should allow you to process online orders within your system for maximum convenience.

POS systems can also sidestep the need to integrate with tools by offering these features directly within the system. This can enable you to cut down on your tech stack, saving you money.

Customer Support: When Things Go Wrong

If your POS system acts up, your operations could slow down. It’s vital that when you experience issues with your system, you can get them resolved quickly.

Consider the following when it comes to customer support:

• Availability: Can you get support during all the hours your business operates? Is it based in New Zealand, or is it offshore? Do they have a 24/7 team of experts?
• Channels: How is support made available to you? Can you get in touch using phone, email or live chat? Having the proper channels all adds up to getting your POS back online faster.
• Resources: Are there online resources you can rely on, such as blogs or a help centre?

Pricing and Cost: The Full Financial Picture

The success of your business all comes down to your bottom line. It’s critical that you understand the pricing and cost of any POS system you’re considering. This includes factors like:

• Leasing vs buying: Will you rent your POS hardware from your provider, or purchase it outright? How will this affect your bottom line in the long term?
• Outright cost: Whether it’s rental fees or outright purchase cost, how much will you spend on your system?
• Offers: What deals are available to bring down the cost of the system? For example, Smartpay’s POS and Payment Bundles offer free hardware to businesses that meet a minimum turnover threshold.
• Additional fees: Consider additional fees like integration costs, support and more.

Hidden costs can pop up, making the POS system more expensive to maintain. This is why Smartpay believes in transparent pricing with complimentary extras like free local support with our POS and additional training available upon request.

Best POS Systems in New Zealand for 2025

Now that you understand what you’re looking for, it’s time to look at some of the other POS providers in New Zealand.

In a rush? Here’s a rapid-fire rundown of the players in the space:

*T&Cs and Minimum monthly turnover apply

Smartpay

Smartpay is an exciting option when selecting a POS system in New Zealand. Our POS and Payment Bundle allows you to take a fully integrated approach to satisfying your customers.

Here’s what makes Smartpay a top option for POS systems in NZ:

A great system with valuable add-ons

Our POS system has all the features you need to keep your business flowing. Process your transactions swiftly and reliably.

For retail businesses, you can enjoy all-in-one inventory management, integrated scales and scanners, purchasing order management and more. This makes it easy to manage your stock while serving your customers.

For hospitality, we support tools such as online orders, at-table orders, gift cards, and more. We also offer integrations with booking systems and Deliverit. This keeps your customers happy and your team on track.

We’re payment specialists

When you choose the Smartpay POS and Payment Bundle, you don’t just get a great POS system. You also get our Android Terminal, one of the newest on the market. It’s a reliable, easy-to-use tool that’s easy to set up and use.

With our bundle, you can completely manage your transactions and payments with us. That means no more middleman mark-ups.

Keep costs low and profits high

 Here’s how it works:

• You can get a free subscription to our POS system for 24 months.
• If you meet our turnover criteria, you get our POS hardware and EFTPOS terminal for free.
• With Smartpay Low Cost Tap & Pay, you can pay one flat rate across Visa & Mastercard transactions, making billing predictable and hassle-free. 

Multi-Network SIM

Network outages can turn a profitable day upside down. That’s why our Android terminal comes with a multi-network SIM. So, if one network goes down, your payments won’t have to go offline.

Smartpay Business Hub

The Smartpay Business Hub is your one-stop shop for everything you need to optimise your business. Within the Business Hub, you can access:

• View real-time and historical transactions and settlements
• Connect to accounting applications like Xero or MYOB
• Connect to business applications like marketing tools or eCommerce integrations
• Connect your bank and credit cards for cash flow forecasts

Best in class service

We offer technical support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. You can get in touch online here or on 0800 476 278. Our dedicated team will get your system back to its best as quickly as possible.

Does Smartpay’s POS and Payment Bundle sound like the right solution for you? Find out more and elevate transactions in your business today.

Square

Square is a global player that has a strong presence in NZ, offering a “plug-and-play” experience.

Square Terminal: A portable all-in-one EFTPOS terminal and POS. It costs $299 NZD and is popular for its sleek design and built-in printer.

Square Register: A premium countertop solution with a dual-screen setup for customers, priced at $799 NZD.

Square Reader: The entry-level mobile puck for $59 NZD, ideal for markets and mobile services.

Fees: Square’s pricing is transparent but can be higher for high-volume stores. They typically charge 2.6% + 10c for in-person transactions.

Square is unbeatable for ease of setup and a “no-contract” lifestyle, but as a business scales, the percentage-based fee structure can become more expensive than the fixed-rate or “bring your own bank” models used by local competitors.

Lightspeed (formerly Kounta/Vend)

Lightspeed is a big player in the NZ market, particularly after acquiring Vend (an iconic NZ-founded retail POS) and Kounta (hospitality).

It is a sophisticated, cloud-based platform designed for businesses that need deep inventory management and multi-location support.

Retail vs. Hospitality: They offer tailored versions for each. Retail plans (derived from Vend) start around $139 NZD/month, while Hospitality plans (derived from Kounta) start at roughly $89 NZD/month.

Hardware: Lightspeed is hardware-agnostic, meaning you can run it on iPads or Mac/PC, but it integrates with third-party terminals for payments.

Lightspeed offers advanced reporting and analytics that simpler systems like Zeller or Square lack. However, the monthly subscription fees and complexity make it better suited for established businesses rather than “side hustles” or small kiosks.

Eftpos NZ (Verifone)

Eftpos NZ offers a mix of traditional terminal rentals and POS integrations. They provide a “bring your own bank” model, where you lease the hardware from them but negotiate your merchant rates directly with banks like ANZ or BNZ.

POS Solutions: They partner with local software like IdealPOS and SalesPoint to offer a full-service setup.

Pricing: Terminal rentals usually start around $35–$50 per month. While there is a fixed monthly cost, the transaction rates you get from a bank depend on the size and volume of your transactions and on the rate you negotiate with your bank.

Epos Now

Epos Nowv positions itself as a more flexible and affordable alternative to systems like Lightspeed. Epos Now aims for small-to-medium businesses that need professional-grade features without the “enterprise” complexity.

Hardware and Versatility: Epos Now software can run on almost any device, including Android tablets, iPads, PCs, and Macs. However, they also sell their own specialised hardware, like the Pro-C15W (a water-resistant countertop terminal) and the Epos Now Air (a handheld mobile device).

Sector-Specific Software: They offer tailored versions of their POS for everything from vape shops and fashion boutiques to full-service restaurants and hotels.

Key Features: It includes robust inventory management (including bulk imports and low-stock alerts), staff scheduling, and third-party integrations (such as Xero, Shopify, and various food delivery apps).

Pricing: They offer “Complete Solution” bundles in NZ, often starting from $349 for the hardware and software. Monthly software fees typically range from $50 to $90, making it a middle-ground option.

How to Choose the Right POS System for Your Business

Here are some key POS system features to look out for, depending on what type of business you operate:

• Retail: For retail businesses, inventory is everything. Make sure your chosen system gives you the support you need to track items in your business and easily manage your inventory.
• Hospitality: A POS system for hospitality has a lot of extra needs. The right system for your business should support features like delivery integrations, at-table ordering and more.
• Multi-location businesses: If your business spans multiple locations, make sure you have a robust, cloud-based POS system that provides oversight across all branches.
• Service: The right POS system for service businesses should support appointment scheduling and deposit handling.

Get Started With a Modern POS Solution

If you’re ready to elevate your business, get in touch about Smartpay POS and Payment Bundles today. We offer a unified approach to taking care of transactions in your business.

With specialised solutions for retail and hospitality, it’s easy to customise your system for your business. Get a multi-network SIM that keeps you online, all the time.

You also get to access our first-class customer service, on-call whenever you need them. You can also use the Smartpay Business Hub to get deeper insights into your business, helping you take things up a notch.

Get in touch today and see how we help you delight your customers and keep your business buzzing.