Choosing the right EFTPOS machine is one of the most important financial decisions a small business owner makes. The wrong choice can cost you hundreds of dollars a year in unnecessary fees, lock you into contracts you cannot escape, or leave you without support when your terminal fails during a Saturday rush. This guide compares the leading EFTPOS options available to Australian small businesses in 2026, with honest assessments of pricing, features, support, and trade-offs.
What to Look for in an EFTPOS Machine
Before comparing specific providers, understand the five factors that matter most for small businesses. Transaction fees are your biggest ongoing cost — even a 0.2 per cent difference adds up to hundreds of dollars annually on $100,000 in card sales. Hardware cost is a one-time expense that ranges from $59 to $299 depending on the terminal type. Contract terms determine your flexibility — avoid lock-in periods if your business is seasonal or growing. POS integration matters if you use a system like Lightspeed, Square POS, or Kounta. And support quality determines what happens when things go wrong — because they will.
BuzzPay
BuzzPay is a service-first Australian payment solutions provider offering countertop, portable, and wireless EFTPOS terminals with integration across 900+ POS systems. BuzzPay differentiates on support: 24/7 human support on 1300 289 972 (not a chatbot), same-day terminal swaps in metro areas, and guided onboarding that gets most businesses processing within 24 to 48 hours. No lock-in contracts. Transparent pricing with no hidden fees. As a PayFac, BuzzPay handles the compliance burden so merchants can focus on running their business.
Best for: businesses that value reliable support, fast setup, and transparent pricing over bells and whistles.
Square
Square is the most recognisable name in small business payments globally. The Square Reader ($59) is the cheapest entry point — pair it with your phone and you are accepting payments within minutes. The Square Terminal ($299) is a standalone device with a built-in screen and receipt printer. Square charges a flat 1.6 per cent per transaction with no monthly fees. The ecosystem is extensive: free POS app, invoicing, online store builder, and appointment booking. The trade-off is that 1.6 per cent is higher than competitors for businesses processing significant volume, and customer support can be difficult to reach.
Best for: sole traders, market vendors, and micro-businesses that want the simplest possible setup with no monthly commitment.
Zeller
Zeller is an Australian fintech offering a modern touchscreen terminal ($199) with a flat 1.4 per cent transaction rate and no monthly fees. The terminal doubles as a basic POS with sales tracking, tipping, and split payments built in. Zeller also offers a free business transaction account with a Debit Mastercard for faster settlement. Native Xero integration is a plus for businesses that prioritise accounting automation. The 1.4 per cent rate is competitive and does not require negotiation — it is the published rate for all businesses.
Best for: small retail and hospitality businesses that want an all-in-one terminal with competitive rates and Australian support.
Tyro
Tyro is the established Australian EFTPOS provider with a strong presence in hospitality and healthcare. The Tyro Pro series offers countertop, portable, and mobile terminals with integration across 450+ POS systems. Tyro’s headline rate starts from around 1.4 per cent, but this typically requires negotiation — businesses without significant volume may pay more. Tyro also offers a business bank account and next-day settlement. The trade-off is that terminal rental costs $29 per month (ongoing), and support is limited to 9am-7pm.
Best for: established businesses in hospitality and healthcare that need deep POS integration and are willing to negotiate rates.
Smartpay
Smartpay is known for its zero-cost EFTPOS model, where the merchant pays no transaction fees because costs are passed to the customer via a surcharge. This sounds attractive, but note that the RBA is banning surcharges from 1 October 2026, which will fundamentally change Smartpay’s value proposition. Smartpay requires a minimum of $10,000 per month in sales per terminal to qualify for the zero-cost plan.
Best for: high-volume hospitality businesses (until October 2026 surcharge ban).
PayNuts
PayNuts is a newer entrant offering a similar zero-cost model to Smartpay, with the added benefit of 24/7 support — a rarity among smaller providers. Their onboarding is reported as fast and frictionless. Like Smartpay, PayNuts will need to adapt its model after the October 2026 surcharge ban.
Best for: businesses looking for zero-cost EFTPOS with good support (short-term).
Bank EFTPOS (NAB, CommBank, Westpac, ANZ)
The big four banks all offer EFTPOS terminals, typically with monthly rental fees ($19-$39/month) and negotiable transaction rates. The advantage is reliability, integration with your existing business banking, and brand trust. The disadvantage is that rates are opaque (you must call for a quote), contracts are often 12-24 months, and support can be slow. NAB currently offers a 1.15 per cent flat rate and $250 cashback for new merchants — competitive for businesses already banking with NAB.
Best for: established businesses already banking with one of the big four who prefer a single-provider relationship.
How to Choose — Decision Framework
If you process under $5,000 per month: Square Reader or BuzzPay mobile terminal. Simple, low-cost, no commitment. If you process $5,000-$20,000 per month: Zeller or BuzzPay. Competitive rates, no lock-in, good support. If you process over $20,000 per month: BuzzPay, Tyro, or negotiate with your bank. Volume gives you leverage on rates. If 24/7 support matters: BuzzPay or PayNuts. Most other providers have limited support hours. If you are in hospitality: BuzzPay or Tyro for deep POS integration and table-side payments.
