A Square vs. Zeller comparison
The best way of looking at Square vs. Zeller is to break down what each system offers. You can use either Square or Zeller to accept payments and manage your business finances, but there are more differences between Square and Zeller than similarities.
How Square works
Square makes it easy for your business to take credit and debit card payments – as well as payments using mobile wallets such as Apple Pay – in person or online. Square also provides a range of flexible business solutions that can be tailored to meet the specific requirements of the industry in which you operate. In addition to being an EFTPOS (Electronic Funds Transfer at Point of Sale) system, Square provides a robust set of solutions which include an Online Store, Appointments, Invoices, Inventory Management, Marketing tools and even Business Loans. In short, with Square in place, your business will have everything it needs to operate efficiently now and into the future.
How Zeller works
Zeller operates as a financial services and payments solution, allowing businesses to accept payments using debit and credit cards and other digital methods at their point of sale. Zeller’s EFTPOS terminal comprises a portable touchscreen device with in-built checkout software. This card machine also has a built-in receipt printer and, with the additional purchase of a SIM card, can be set up to operate remotely in any location via 3G or 4G.
Square vs. Zeller – a direct comparison table
Below we have set out a direct comparison of Square and Zeller, feature by feature to help businesses understand the key feature differences between the two. You’ll notice that Square’s ecosystem offers a range of additional tools outside of the basic payment and POS essentials, such as gift cards and in-person Afterpay acceptance. This allows businesses using Square to craft their own bespoke set of solutions depending on their needs.
In-person payments
The systems begin to diverge in the range of options on offer once we start to look at what each provides for taking and processing in-person payments:
| Square | Zeller | |
| Free POS App with no monthly fees | No monthly fees when you take payments with Square | No |
| All-in-one POS system with customer display and built-in software |
Square Register - $1,099 | No |
| Portable EFTPOS machine with built-in receipt printer & pre-installed POS software |
Square Terminal - $329 | Zeller terminal 1 - $99 Zeller terminal 2 - $199 |
| Countertop iPad POS stand with built-in card reader |
Square Stand - $149 | No |
| POS hardware starting price | Square Reader - $65 | Zeller Terminal 1 - $99 |
| Afterpay acceptance in person | Yes |
No |
| Physical gift cards | Yes |
Yes |
|
Offline payments (Process card payments without internet access) |
Yes |
No – but 4G available for a fee |
The biggest differences between the two systems come to light once we examine what each offers over and above basic point of sale payment processing. Businesses often need to be able to provide a seamless and secure system enabling customers to shop online, for example. Post pandemic, eCommerce is more popular than ever with Australian consumers, as shifts which accelerated during the pandemic such as online shopping and flexible delivery options become embedded as standard.
According to a report published by Australia Post in July 2022, a record 9.3 million households had shopped online during the financial year up to 30 June 2022, an increase of 200,000 on the year before. The number of online purchases made as a whole also grew by 12% over the year, while each month saw an average of 5.6 million households purchase something online: 1.5 million more than before the pandemic.
The implications are clear for any business – customers now expect omnichannel offerings from retailers, and any retailer that either doesn’t provide a robust and user-friendly eCommerce experience, or delivers one which is sub-par, will find itself losing out to competitors who are able to do better.
Online and remote payments
A quick comparison of Zeller vs. Square’s online and remote payments options:
| Square | Zeller | |
| Free online store | Yes |
No |
| Website templates | Yes |
No |
| Online ordering for Restaurants |
Yes |
No |
| Photo Studio app for item library and online store |
Yes |
No |
| Payment links | Yes |
No |
| Invoicing software | Yes |
No |
| Virtual Terminal to take payments over the phone or on your computer |
Yes |
No |
| Afterpay acceptance online | Yes |
No |
| e-Gift Cards | Yes |
No |
Solutions designed for you
The table below lists the availability of various POS and business support solutions tailored to specific business categories:
| Square | Zeller | |
| Retail POS System | Yes |
No |
| Restaurant POS System | Yes |
No |
| POS System for Appointments-based businesses |
Yes |
No |
| Self-ordering kiosk | Yes |
No |
| Kitchen Display System | Yes |
No |
| Loyalty program software | Yes |
No |
| Email marketing software | Yes |
No |
| Team management software including rostering and time tracking |
Yes |
No |
| Inventory management | Yes |
No |
| Customer management | Yes |
Yes |
Cost comparison
| Square | Zeller | |
| In-person processing fee* | 1.6% | 1.4% |
| No chargeback fees | Yes |
Yes |
| No additional fees for American Express |
Yes |
Yes |
| No hardware rental fees | Yes |
Yes |
| Next day transfer as standard | Yes |
- (next day to linked Zeller card) |
| Instant transfer - access funds in minutes (for a fee) |
Yes |
No |
*Custom pricing may be available for businesses processing over $250k per year.
*Competitive data on this page was collected as of 4 December 2024 and is based on information found on myzeller.com. This information is subject to change or update without notice. Square does not make any representations as to the completeness or accuracy of the information on this page.
*1.6% card present rate applies for Square Sellers who sign up on or after 30 May 2024. The rate of 1.9% will apply for Square Sellers who signed up prior to this date when using Square Reader, Square Stand or Tap to Pay, as listed in the Square Fee Schedule.
*Instant transfers require a linked, eligible bank account and cost a fee per transfer. Funds are subject to your bank’s availability schedule. Up to $5,000 AUD per day. The minimum you can transfer is $5. Terms of Service apply.
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- Cut wait times and make service faster
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- Free up staff for other value-add tasks
Why businesses choose Square
There are numerous reasons why businesses opt for Square. Above all, it is a system which is designed to be flexible, secure and comprehensive. The in-store solutions are built for the way your business needs to operate in the real world. Square offers multiple POS hardware options, from the Square Register, a fully integrated payments and POS solution to the standard Square Terminal for in-person credit and debit card payments and the Square Reader, a tap-and-go device which lets you take card payments anywhere via your smartphone or tablet.
No matter which hardware you opt for, you can choose from our range of POS solutions that are tailored to the specific requirements of your business. Whether you work in retail, a restaurant or an appointment-based business (such as a beauty salon) the Square solution is designed to offer exactly what you need. It’s a simple yet customised solution, offering multiple options designed to fit your business like a glove.
Offsite and online options
As previously pointed out, offering an online option for your customers is fast becoming an absolute must. The good news is that Square makes it simple to create that online presence, whether you have a bricks-and-mortar alternative or not. It costs nothing to build a website which can take orders, manage inventory, sell goods and book appointments, all of which are connected to your in-person POS systems. The Square online solution accepts every kind of payment and tracks all sales in a single place, making it simpler to administer a mix of online and in-person sales. The options include the ability to send a payment link to customers – quite simply the fastest way to get paid online – create a virtual terminal and make use of invoicing software.
The wider square ecosytem
Above and beyond the day-to-day services already outlined, Square offers an ecosystem designed to make it easier to run your business in the longer term. This includes access to business loans, advanced inventory management, a customer loyalty program and an online booking system. In simple terms, no matter how your business grows and changes in the future, Square will be able to cope and provide the system you need.
Get started with Square today.
Everything you need to run your business, anywhere, anytime.
Square has all the tools you need to reach your customers and grow your business, whether in person, online or both.
Set up a free online store that seamlessly syncs with your in-person sales, items and customer management.
Send an unlimited number of invoices, estimates or recurring invoices to request payments for goods & services.
Square Point of Sale is simple to set up, easy to use and has no monthly costs, you only pay processing fees.
Simplify your day with our web-based appointment scheduling software and app.
Streamline your operations with Square for Retail’s advanced Inventory & vendor management, reports, purchase orders, barcode label printing, and more.
Our restaurant POS system is built for speed. From menu management to coursing, every tool helps your team move faster.
Get your money deposited in your bank account as fast as the next day or instantly for a fee.
Hardware for selling anywhere.
The fastest and most secure way to pay. Accept chip and PIN cards, contactless payments, Apple Pay and Google Pay. An easy solution for your on-the-go business.
The all-in-one portable EFTPOS machine that lets you accept all kinds of payments easily and print (or email) receipts – the perfect solution for tableside services.
The fully integrated touchscreen point-of-sale that lets you start selling right out of the box. Manage card and contactless payments, online sales and more, all from one POS register.
Turn your iPad into a powerful point of sale with payments built in. In a swivel, Stand becomes a customer display, so you can sell accurately and customers can confirm their total and pay.
Frequently asked questions
You can go from downloading Square POS to making your first sale in minutes by signing up for your free account here. Our hardware works out of the box with no configuration required. You can create your own site with our website builder on Square Online or sync your existing ecommerce platform.
Our Support Centre can help with general questions, and once you have signed up for an account, you can contact our highly trained customer support team via phone or email.
Using the Square POS system is very intuitive. Most employers teach their new team members in a matter of minutes, not hours.
Yes. Square POS lets you set up and sync your online store in no time at all. You can also sell gift cards online, and sell through social media with a couple of taps.
Yes, sales from online and in person automatically update your inventory levels, and you automatically receive inventory alerts when you’re running low. It’s inventory management made easy. Learn more about our inventory management tools here.
Yes! Square’s app marketplace lets you find third party apps that you may already use and depend on. From accounting apps and eCommerce solutions to inventory and employee management, Square works with apps that can help with whatever your business needs. Learn more about our App Marketplace here.
Absolutely. Square is much more than the little white card reader and payment processing. We’ve been a champion for small business from the start, and with our suite of add-on features, you can pick and choose tools to suit the needs of your business. Beyond payment processing, you can manage teams, take payments in the field or at pop-ups on the mobile app, and sell online through Square Online. You can sell in person via pickup or delivery, and get paid with invoices or even over the phone, so you can manage your business with ease and reach your customers everywhere.