A modern point-of-sale (POS) system does far more than process card payments. It manages your inventory, tracks sales data, handles GST, connects to your accounting software, and helps you understand your customers. For Australian retail shops, cafés, restaurants, and market stall operators, the right POS system can transform how you run your business.
We've tested and compared the five best POS systems available in Australia in 2026, covering everything from hardware costs and transaction fees to inventory features and integrations with Xero and MYOB.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Square | Lightspeed | Vend | Shopify POS | Hike |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Fee | Free | $89+ | $89+ | $59+ | $59+ |
| Transaction Fee | 1.6% | Varies | Varies | 1.5–2.9% | Varies |
| Free Hardware | ✗ (from $59) | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Inventory Management | ✓ | ✓ (advanced) | ✓ (advanced) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Online Store | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ (via Shopify) | ✓ (built-in) | ✓ |
| Xero Integration | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ (via app) | ✓ |
| GST Handling | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| iPad/Tablet App | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Our Score | 9.0/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.3/10 | 7.8/10 |
Square is the easiest way to start accepting card payments in Australia. There's no monthly fee — you only pay 1.6% per tap or insert transaction (2.2% for manual entry). The free Square POS app turns any iPad or smartphone into a register, and their hardware starts at just $59 for the Square Reader (contactless + chip).
Beyond payments, Square offers free inventory management, sales analytics, customer directories, and a free online store. It integrates with Xero, MYOB, and dozens of other tools. For Australian businesses, it handles GST on all transactions and produces GST-compliant receipts. Next-day deposits to Australian bank accounts are standard.
Square is ideal for small retailers, cafés, market stalls, mobile businesses, and anyone who wants to start accepting payments with minimal upfront cost. As you grow, Square offers advanced features through paid plans — Square for Restaurants, Square for Retail — but the free plan is genuinely capable.
Pros
- No monthly fees on the free plan
- Transparent, simple pricing (1.6%)
- Very easy to set up and use
- Free online store included
- Excellent Xero integration
- Next-day Australian bank deposits
Cons
- Transaction fees add up for high-volume businesses
- Advanced inventory features require paid plans
- No negotiable pricing for large merchants
Best for: Small businesses, market stalls, cafés, and anyone wanting a no-monthly-fee POS with simple, transparent pricing.
Visit Square →Lightspeed is a premium POS platform built for retailers and restaurants that need advanced inventory management. If you carry hundreds or thousands of SKUs, manage multiple suppliers, or operate across multiple locations, Lightspeed's inventory features are unmatched — detailed product matrices (size, colour, material), automated reordering, supplier catalogues, and serial number tracking.
Lightspeed's Australian offering includes integrated payments (Lightspeed Payments), GST handling, and integrations with Xero and MYOB. The platform also includes a built-in ecommerce solution, so you can sell online and in-store from one system with unified inventory.
Pros
- Best-in-class inventory management
- Multi-location support
- Built-in ecommerce
- Excellent reporting and analytics
- Integrates with Xero and MYOB
Cons
- Expensive monthly fees
- Complex for very small businesses
- Annual billing on most plans
Best for: Established retail businesses with complex inventory needs and multiple locations.
Visit Lightspeed →Vend was founded in New Zealand and is now part of the Lightspeed family. It's a cloud-based retail POS with a strong following in Australia and New Zealand. Vend shines for its clean interface, solid inventory management, and excellent integration ecosystem — it connects with Xero, Shopify, WooCommerce, and dozens of payment providers.
Since being acquired by Lightspeed, Vend's features are gradually merging with Lightspeed's platform. Existing Vend customers continue to get great service, but new customers may be directed toward Lightspeed's plans. It remains a strong choice for ANZ retailers who want a straightforward, cloud-based POS.
Pros
- Clean, easy-to-use interface
- Strong ANZ heritage and support
- Excellent Xero integration
- Works offline (syncs when back online)
- Flexible payment provider options
Cons
- Being merged into Lightspeed — future uncertain
- Monthly cost has increased
- New sign-ups may go to Lightspeed directly
Best for: Existing Vend users, and ANZ retailers who want a proven, cloud-based retail POS with Xero integration.
Visit Vend →If you sell both online and in-store, Shopify POS is the natural choice. It's built on top of Shopify's world-class ecommerce platform, so your online store and physical store share the same inventory, customer data, and order management. Sell a product in-store and it's instantly updated online — no manual syncing.
Shopify POS Lite is included free with any Shopify plan (starting at $59 AUD/month). The Pro version ($89 AUD/month per location add-on) adds staff management, smart inventory management, and in-store analytics. Transaction fees are 1.5% with Shopify Payments, or 2.4-2.9% with external gateways.
Pros
- Best online + in-store integration
- Unified inventory across all channels
- World-class ecommerce platform
- Excellent hardware options
- Strong app ecosystem
Cons
- Requires a Shopify subscription
- POS Pro add-on is expensive
- Accounting integrations less native than competitors
- Transaction fees vary
Best for: Businesses that sell online and in-store and want unified inventory and customer management.
Visit Shopify POS →Hike is an Australian-built POS system designed for retail businesses. It offers solid inventory management, multi-outlet support, customer loyalty features, and integrations with Xero, QuickBooks, and major ecommerce platforms. Hike works on iPad, PC, and Mac, giving you flexibility in hardware choices.
As an Australian company, Hike understands local needs — GST handling, Australian payment providers (Tyro, Linkly), and local support during Australian business hours. Pricing starts at $59/month and includes most features, making it a competitive option for independent retailers.
Pros
- Australian-built and supported
- Works on iPad, PC, and Mac
- Good inventory and loyalty features
- Integrates with Tyro and Linkly
- Competitive pricing
Cons
- Smaller company — less brand recognition
- Fewer advanced features than Lightspeed
- Limited restaurant-specific features
Best for: Australian independent retailers who want a local, well-priced POS with good Xero integration and Australian payment support.
Visit Hike →Choosing the Right POS System
Your ideal POS depends on your business type and priorities:
- Just starting out or on a budget: Square. No monthly fee and you can start taking payments in minutes.
- Complex inventory needs: Lightspeed or Vend. Their inventory management is best-in-class.
- Selling online and in-store: Shopify POS. Unified commerce across all channels.
- Want an Australian-made solution: Hike. Local support, local payment integrations, competitive pricing.
- Restaurant or café: Square for Restaurants (free plan available) or Lightspeed Restaurant.
All five systems handle GST and integrate with Xero or MYOB, so Australian tax compliance is covered regardless of your choice. Consider transaction fees carefully — for high-volume businesses, the difference between 1.5% and 2.2% adds up quickly.