All three of these providers aim to offer efficient and reliable EFTPOS. However, they also each have unique focus areas:
Here’s a quick side-by-side comparison of the key differences between these EFTPOS providers:
| Feature | Zeller | Square | Smartpay |
| Transaction Fees | ✅ Option to pass transaction fees onto the customer with a surcharge | ⚠️ Flat 1.6% rate, transaction fee-free EFTPOS in Beta testing | ✅ $0 monthly on eligible plans |
Terminal costs | ✅ Integrates with 450+ POS | ⚠️ Primarily integrates with Square POS | ✅ Integrates with major POS systems |
POS integration | ✅ Mobile + countertop terminals, phone-based EFTPOS and small readers available | ✅ Wide hardware range | ✅ Single versatile machine |
| 24/7 phone support | ⚠️Special emergency support option available | ❌ | ✅ |
| No lock-in contracts | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Rather than making you choose from a number of different machines, Smartpay offers customers a single EFTPOS terminal. It works perfectly as a countertop terminal for taking payments at your main point of sale.
It also functions on the go thanks to a built-in 4G Multi-Network SIM card, which detects, connects, and auto‑switches to the strongest signal in real-time and features all-day battery life. When you’re using it as a countertop machine, it integrates with point of sale (POS) software to offer fast and efficient transactions.
It also offers features like a charging dock and a built-in receipt printer. It’s an excellent solution for streamlining payments in your business.
Smartpay customers get to choose between two different pricing methods. Our Zero Cost™ EFTPOS offering means you don’t have to pay anything to cover merchant service fees. These fees are covered by passing a small surcharge onto your customers.
You can also pay $0 in EFTPOS terminal rental if you process $10,000 or more in card transactions each month.
The other option for Smartpay customers is Simple Flat Rate. Under this plan, you don’t pass a surcharge onto your customers. Instead, one flat low fee is paid by you on each transaction.
For Simple Flat Rate customers, terminal rental is $34.95 a month.
With Smartpay, you can enjoy the benefits of integrated EFTPOS with a number of major POS systems. With integrated EFTPOS, transactions automatically appear on your EFTPOS terminal as they are processed on your POS system.
This means that transactions are processed more efficiently, with a reduced risk of human error. You’re able to serve a greater number of happy customers.
A great EFTPOS terminal needs to be usable for experienced team members and newcomers alike. That’s why Smartpay’s EFTPOS machine is designed with ease of use in mind.
Setting up your machine can be completed in just minutes. Simply power on your machine and start accepting payments!
Then, decide if you want to integrate your system with your POS or use it on its own. You can also choose to activate features like tipping by calling up our friendly support team.
Our contracts are simple and straightforward. We have no lock-in contracts or hidden fees.
If you decide that Smartpay isn’t right for you, it’s easy to switch to another provider. With our fully transparent contracts, you can focus on what matters to your business.
Our expert team is available to you 24/7, 365 days a year. We provide the support you need to keep your EFTPOS up and running.
You can get online support here or via our Help Centre. Plus, if your terminal is faulty or damaged, we offer replacements free of charge.
Smartpay settles payments to your nominated bank for processing the next business day. Keep the cash flowing so your business finances stay on track.
Our terminals accept all major debit and credit cards. This includes Visa, MasterCard, EFTPOS and American Express.
You can also use our terminal to accept contactless payments from cards, smartphones and wearable devices. Help your customers make payments with their preferred methods.
The Zeller Terminal 2 is part of Zeller’s overall business solutions. It sits alongside other Zeller offerings like transaction accounts, and accepting online payments through a virtual terminal. Zeller’s virtual terminal also allows you to create and send payment links to customers.
This simple and portable machine offers comprehensive EFTPOS features. It also runs Zeller POS Lite.
This allows you to fully process transactions on your system. It can function over Wi-Fi and offers the ability to insert a SIM card for mobile payments. It offers additional features like digital receipts, split payments and tipping.
The older Zeller Terminal 1 is also available for a cheaper price of $99. It offers more limited features compared to the Zeller Terminal 2, but can still get the job done for many businesses.
Zeller offers a few different pricing models. In-person transaction fees incur a 1.4% charge on all cards, including American Express.
Zeller also offers surcharging. You can surcharge all or part of your transaction fee.
You can also purchase a Zeller SIM card, allowing your machine to function portably with mobile data. This card costs $15 a month.
Zeller terminals are available for purchase rather than rent. The Zeller Terminal 2 costs $199, while the older Zeller Terminal 1 costs $99.
The Zeller Terminal 2 comes with Zeller POS Lite installed for free. As the name implies, it doesn’t have the same functionality you’d expect from a full-blown POS system. However, it does offer things like the ability to create items, categories and discounts, as well as inventory management features.
The Zeller Terminal 2 also offers integration with over 600 other POS solutions.
The Zeller Terminal 2 is a fairly streamlined solution. However, making full use of the Zeller POS Lite on the machine can be tricky compared to simpler systems. If Zeller POS Lite isn’t for you, you can also integrate the machine with other POS systems.
The terminal offers the ability to insert a SIM card for mobile functionality. While useful, this isn’t quite as convenient as a machine like Smartpay, which offers a free, built-in 4G SIM card.
Zeller does not have lock-in contracts. However, since you purchase your terminal outright rather than renting it, you are more committed to sticking with the product long-term.
Zeller offers 24/7 customer support over phone, email or SMS. It also has a Support Centre available on its website, featuring troubleshooting guides.
Zeller offers same-day settlement for Zeller Accounts. Settlements to external bank accounts occur on the next business day.
The Zeller Terminal 2 can accept credit and debit card payments, as well as contactless payments. This includes contactless card payments and payments from smart devices.
The Square Terminal is an EFTPOS machine that sits within the larger Square ecosystem of products. This includes POS systems and the smaller Square Reader.
It’s possible to run the Square POS software on the EFTPOS terminal itself. This means it can do some extra things compared to competitors. However, it’s not a proper replacement for a full POS system.
The Square Terminal has a built-in receipt printer and a battery that “lasts all day”. Unlike Smartpay and Zeller, the Square Terminal does not offer mobile connectivity.
As an alternative, you can accept offline payments with the machine, or connect the machine to a mobile device over hotspot.
Like Zeller, Square Terminals are available for purchase rather than rent. You can buy a Square Terminal for $329, or $28 a month paid over 12 months.
For most in-person transactions, Square charges a 1.6% fee. You can get custom rates if you process more than $250,000 a year.
Square currently offers zero-cost EFTPOS via surcharging in a Beta trial format.
The Square Terminal is primarily designed to function alongside other Square products, like the Square Stand POS system. It can also run Square POS software itself. This could allow you to manage your transactions entirely from your machine.
Square also has a Terminal API. This means the terminal can be alongside other systems outside of the Square ecosystem. However, it’s a more complicated process than integrations offered by machines like Smartpay.
You can also integrate the Square terminal with other products like restaurant order management systems.
The Square Terminal is designed to be easily picked up by your team. Set-up is straightforward and it offers a user-friendly experience.
However, unlike Smartpay and Zeller, it doesn’t offer mobile connectivity. It can accept offline payments, but this isn’t the same level of convenience you get from its competitors.
The Square Terminal doesn’t come with a lock-in contract. However, it’s worth noting that since Square terminals are purchased rather than rented, there’s a greater overall commitment to your system.
Systems like Smartpay offer no lock-in contracts and terminal rental, meaning you’re not tied to your system in any way.
Square Support can be contacted by phone, email or live chat from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (AEST). Outside of these hours, support is limited.
There are resources available on the Square website and app, offering troubleshooting for common issues.
Getting a Square Terminal replacement is quite different to Smartpay, since you purchase the terminal rather than rent it. Find out about Square warranty and returns here.
Square offers standard next-day transfers for payouts. Customers can also get instant transfers to linked bank accounts. However, instant transfers incur a 1.5% fee per transfer.
With a Square Terminal, your business can accept any Australian-issued and most internationally-issued magstripe or chip cards. You can also accept contactless payments from cards, smartphones and wearable devices.
Here’s a complete breakdown on how much it costs to use each of these EFTPOS machines.
Smartpay offers Zero Cost™ EFTPOS to eligible customers. You can pass your transaction fees onto your customers through a surcharge. When you process over $10,000 in monthly transactions, your terminal rental is $0.
Zeller and Square also offer surcharging, allowing you to pass on your transaction fees. Square’s surcharging option is in a Beta testing period.
However, since both Zeller and Square offer terminals for purchase rather than rent, these “zero cost” options don’t affect your overall expenses in the same way.
If you don’t choose the zero cost options of these providers, here’s what you’ll pay:
For many customers, Smartpay Zero Cost™ EFTPOS can be a highly cost effective option. With no transaction fees and free terminal rental if you process over $10,000, you can reduce your commitment while getting efficient, reliable EFTPOS in your business.
Sign up for Smartpay today and find out how we can help elevate your business.to wipe out the cost of your terminal, and pass processing fees onto customers with a small surcharge.
Zeller and Square bring different things to the table. If you use other Square products in your business, the Square Terminal fits in well.
If you’re not in the Square ecosystem, you might find it less convenient. For example, integrating the terminal into other POS systems is a more difficult process.
For many businesses, Zeller may prove to be a more convenient option. It can be used on-the-go thanks to a $15/month SIM card. It also offers integration with a large number of major POS systems.
Smartpay is a strong choice for businesses wanting to minimise fees and keep payments simple. With Smartpay Zero Cost™ EFTPOS, you can enjoy a more affordable approach to payment processing thanks to $0 terminal rental if you process over $10,000 in card transactions per month.
We also go further when it comes to portable functionality. Our terminals come with free 4G SIM cards built-in, meaning you can take payments virtually anywhere.
We also offer POS integrations and features like tipping, built-in receipt printing and more. Sign up today and join 40,000+ businesses who choose Smartpay.
If you’re looking for more comparison content, check out our guide on Tyro vs Square vs Smartpay.
The information presented in this article is based on publicly available sources and is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of writing. Readers should verify details directly with the companies mentioned before making decisions.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, business, or legal advice.
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