Our method
How we research
Our reviews and comparisons come from careful desk research, not a sales pitch. Here is where our information comes from, how we rate systems and how to tell us when something is wrong.
Last updated: 5 October 2026
Where our information comes from
Every page is our own independent research. We use:
- providers’ published pricing pages and plan details;
- providers’ own documentation and help centres;
- New Zealand payment providers’ lists of the POS systems they integrate with;
- public reviews from real users, to spot common praise and common problems.
We do not run hands-on or lab tests, and providers do not check our pages before we publish. Where sources disagree or a detail is unclear, confirm it with the provider before you rely on it.
What we look at
We focus on the details that matter most to New Zealand businesses:
- Price, including GST
- The cheapest published plan, shown in NZ dollars with GST. Where a provider prices in US or Australian dollars, we show its own price and an approximate NZD figure.
- Card fees
- Whether the POS publishes its own card rate in New Zealand, or your EFTPOS provider sets the fee.
- EFTPOS integration
- Which New Zealand EFTPOS terminals and payment providers it works with.
- Xero
- Whether it connects to Xero, and how: built in, through an add-on, or not at all.
- Offline mode
- Whether you can keep selling when the internet drops.
- Hardware
- What devices it runs on, and what the hardware costs to get started.
- Contract
- Monthly or fixed term, and what it takes to leave.
- Support
- How you can get help, and whether it is available in New Zealand hours.
How ratings are formed
Our star ratings are editorial judgement. We weigh the factors above against what each system is built for, so a simple, low-cost system can rate well for a market stall even if it lacks features a restaurant needs. A rating is our opinion, not a measured score.
We only recommend systems that work properly in New Zealand. For example, we do not recommend Square on our New Zealand pages, because Square does not process payments in New Zealand.
How often we re-check
Prices and features change, so we re-check our information regularly and whenever we hear of a change. Each page shows a “Last checked” date so you can see how fresh it is. Our product information was last checked on 5 October 2026.
Always confirm prices and terms with the provider before you buy.
Found an error?
If you spot something wrong or out of date, please tell us. Email hello@possystemguide.com with the page and what has changed. A link to the provider’s page helps. We read every report and correct confirmed errors.
Providers are welcome to send corrections too. We treat them the same way as reports from anyone else.
Our independence
Providers cannot pay for a better rating or a higher place in our lists. Some links earn us a commission, but that never changes what we say. Our affiliate disclosure explains how we make money.