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With hundreds of point-of-sale (POS) providers in Australia, selecting the right one can be an overwhelming task. In this article, we outline the key factors to consider when choosing a POS, and recommend some of the best providers for your industry. If you’re a new or existing business owner, by now, you probably know  what a point-of-sale system is and how it works . The next step is choosing a solution that is appropriate to your business size and industry. To help make the right decision, read our list of considerations below and make note of which ones are the most (and least) important to your business, so that when you’re in conversation with a POS provider, you can be well equipped to ask the right questions. Then, learn which POS providers are the most popular among cafes, quick-service restaurants, dine-in restaurants, retail businesses, and bars and clubs. Important considerations when choosing the best POS system for your business. Hardware POS hardware refers to the physical devices that make up your POS system. This could include any or all of: a computer or display unit, a receipt printer, a barcode scanner, a cash drawer, and an EFTPOS machine. While large businesses may require a full suite of hardware, many smaller businesses can get away with little more than a tablet or smartphone. Portable devices like Zeller Terminal 2 (which has a POS system built-in) are often referred to as mobile POS or ‘ mPOS ’, and they provide excellent functionality, allowing merchants to do everything from managing their inventory to taking payments all from the one machine. Software The functionality of the POS software will arguably be the biggest factor in determining your final choice. If you are a retail business, you may want to prioritise a robust inventory management system – this will allow you to easily track stock levels, anticipate when popular items will run out, and stay on budget. For hospitality businesses, a floor management system may also be required to manage table seating and reservations. Additional functionality includes sales reporting, for managing cash flow; employee management, for automatically logging hours and tracking performance; and customer relationship management (CRM), for collecting customer data and implementing targeted marketing campaigns. While these are the most common and basic features of POS systems, those designed for individual industries will offer even more specialised features. Ease of use Think about who will be using the POS system on a day-to-day basis. Do you have a high turnover rate of employees? If so, consider how easy it will be to train new staff to use the software. A simple, intuitive interface will greatly reduce human error, which, in a fast-paced environment, could be critical. Integration For most businesses, their POS provider cannot just work alone, it will need to be able to integrate into a number of different systems. The accounting software,  payments provider , and/or e-commerce platform you use (or are planning to use) should ideally integrate with your POS system. By enabling information to flow easily between systems, you will greatly increase the efficiency of your operations, saving you and your team time and money. Take note of what platforms a POS provider integrates with before making a decision, as this can become a frustrating roadblock later on if it is neglected. Customer support How quickly and easily you can contact your POS provider is something that can be easily overlooked – but it’s extremely important. If you decide to go with a POS system that offers all the bells and whistles, but doesn’t have anyone to pick up the phone when you need help, this will quickly lead to frustration and potentially lost revenue. Check the provider’s website and LinkedIn: are their offices based in Australia? What are their customer service hours? Do they have a robust support centre with help articles and troubleshooting resources? Will you be assigned an account manager? Additionally, how quickly you need to get up and running is an important consideration. Many traditional POS providers require a technician to come out and set up the hardware and software, whereas newer web-based systems are often self-service and can be entirely set up remotely. Multi-location Do you run a multi-location operation or are you planning on scaling in the future? If so, it’s important to be sure that the POS software is equipped to deal with multi-venue requirements. Being able to push updates to machines at several venues at once, aggregating reporting from all venues, and monitoring stock transfers between locations, are just some of the features you’ll want to ensure your POS provider can support. Cost With varying pieces of equipment, features, minimum requirements, and pricing models, understanding exactly how much you’re going to pay for a POS service is not easy. To avoid bill-shock later on, make sure you understand exactly how each aspect of the service is priced. Are you buying the hardware outright or will you access it on a rental agreement? Is the software licence a one-time purchase or a monthly/annual subscription? Is there a cost associated with ongoing support and maintenance? Will you pay a fee each time a transaction is processed through the POS? Ensure you ask any potential POS provider all these questions before signing a contract. Best POS providers by industry The table below presents some of the best POS providers available to Australian business owners, organised by industry, with some of their noteworthy features listed on the right hand side. For a comprehensive list of features, be sure to contact the POS provider directly and request a demo before signing up. Let Zeller manage your payments. No matter how you prefer to manage your checkout process, Zeller is Australia’s leading payments provider, tailored to meet your business needs. For smaller or mobile businesses with a limited inventory, Zeller offers Zeller POS Lite, built into Zeller Terminal 2 at no extra cost. Larger, more established businesses can benefit from Zeller Terminal’s seamless integration with over 600 different POS platforms. Whether you’re looking for a simple, cost-effective mobile solution or a fully integrated EFTPOS machine with advanced features like tipping, bill-splitting, and custom screensavers, Zeller’s platform is designed to evolve with your business. Chat with our sales team today to set up Zeller POS Lite, or explore our Zeller Partner Hub to find the perfect POS integration for your business.

For Australian merchants, card fees are a necessary cost of doing business. Every time a customer pays with a card or digital wallet, the merchant pays a fee to process that transaction. These fees might seem small per transaction, but they can add up if you’re not monitoring your costs, and ensuring you’re optimising your business payments for affordability. Many business owners find merchant fees confusing or buried in complex statements, so understanding how merchant fees work is crucial for protecting your profits. In this guide, we’ll break down what merchant fees are, how electronic payments are processed, the different types of fees and pricing models, and why fees vary. By demystifying merchant fees, you can take control of your payment costs and keep more of each sale in your business. What are merchant fees? Merchant fees are the costs businesses pay to accept and process electronic payments. In simple terms, whenever a customer taps, dips or swipes their credit or debit card (or uses a mobile wallet), a small fee is charged for securely and efficiently moving the money from the customer’s account to the merchant’s account. This fee, often called a merchant service fee, covers the technology and infrastructure that make instant, secure card payments possible. Compare merchant fees in Australia. How electronic payments are authorised. When a customer makes a card payment, there are several players working behind the scenes to authorise the transaction. Each participant in this chain may charge a small fee for their role, and together these make up what the merchant ultimately pays as fees for the transaction. For online payments, a payment gateway serves a similar role to the terminal, securely sending transaction data to the acquirer. Types of merchant fees. Not all merchant fees are created equal. Here are the most common categories: Transaction fees These are the fees charged on each card transaction, usually calculated as a percentage of the sale and sometimes with an additional fixed amount. This includes the interchange fee (paid to the cardholder’s bank), scheme or network fees (charged by Visa, Mastercard, American Express or EFTPOS), and any fees charged by your payment provider to cover their operating costs. Terminal and equipment fees If you use an EFTPOS terminal, you may be charged a rental or purchase fee. Some providers lease terminals on a monthly basis, while others let you buy the hardware outright. Zeller charges no ongoing rental fees, your terminal is yours to keep, and you can purchase one for as little as $99. Account and service fees These might include monthly account fees, statement fees, payment gateway fees, or inactivity charges. Zeller does not charge any of these fees whatsoever.  Situational fees These include chargeback fees, refund fees, international transaction fees, early termination fees, and more. Zeller does not charge any of these fees whatsoever.  Understanding merchant fee pricing models. The way your fees are structured matters. Here are the three main pricing models used in Australia: Flat-rate pricing One fixed rate for all transactions, which is simple and predictable. For example, Zeller charges a flat 1.4% on all tapped, dipped or swiped card payments, no matter the card type – even American Express.  Interchange-plus pricing This breaks down the wholesale cost (interchange and scheme fees) and adds a fixed provider charge on top. It offers transparency, but your fees may vary month to month depending on your transaction mix. Tiered pricing Transactions are grouped into “tiers” with different rates, depending on the perceived cost or risk. It’s the least transparent model and often leads to bill shock. Many businesses avoid it for that reason. Why do merchant fees vary? Card transaction fees can change depending on several factors, like: Card type Debit cards usually have lower fees than credit cards. Rewards cards (particularly premium ones) typically cost merchants more due to higher interchange fees – but not with Zeller. We charge the same flat rate across all major card types, including American Express. Transaction method Card-present transactions (tapped or inserted cards accepted in-person) cost less than card-not-present transactions (online or keyed-in), due to decreased risk of cardholder fraud. Card country of origin International card payments usually incur higher fees due to currency conversion, cross-border processing, and enhanced fraud protection. Unlike many providers, however, Zeller maintains consistent merchant fees for both domestic and international transactions. How to reduce your merchant fees. Here are five key ways to get your merchant fees under control: Review your statements: Understand exactly how much you’re being charged, and for what. Check if you’re paying hidden fees you weren’t aware of. Ask your provider questions: Request a detailed fee breakdown. Ask if better rates are available, or if you can switch to a more cost-effective plan. Compare providers: If your fees seem too high, shop around. Look for transparent pricing with no lock-in contracts or hidden charges. The Zeller Sales team can help you compare offerings from providers – get in touch here . Consider surcharging: Surcharging is allowed in Australia, but only to the extent of your actual cost of acceptance. Be transparent and stay within RBA and ACCC guidelines. Reduce fraud and chargebacks: Implement good fraud controls . Fewer chargebacks mean fewer surprise costs. Even small changes, like switching to a provider with better pricing or reviewing how your customers pay, can significantly reduce your merchant fees over time. What to ask when choosing a payment provider. Before signing with a payment provider (or when reviewing the merchant fees offered by your current provider), ask: – What pricing model do you use? – Are there any setup, rental, monthly or cancellation fees? – Do rates vary by card type or transaction method? – Can I purchase my terminal instead of renting it? – Are your statements transparent? – What POS and accounting integrations do you offer? – What fraud protection tools are included? – What customer support is available if something goes wrong? A good provider should be able to answer these questions clearly and confidently. If they can’t, that’s a red flag. Zeller – a lot more than just lower fees. A flat, transparent 1.4% rate on every card payment is great, but Zeller gives you even more ways to optimise your business finances.  With Zeller, payments are settled nightly into your Zeller Business Transaction Account 7 days a week, giving you fast access to your money. And with a Zeller Savings Account , you can earn interest at a rate significantly higher than what the big-4 banks offer. Plus, tools like Zeller Invoices streamline your billing process, while the Zeller Debit Card lets you spend directly from your business funds. Smart, integrated, cost-efficient and powerful – purpose-built for modern business.

For Australian businesses, choosing the right business bank account isn’t as straightforward as it used to be. Between traditional banks, online-only challengers, and modern fintech alternatives like Zeller, the options are broader than ever – and more confusing. This guide compares some of the top options in Australia, from the Big Four to rising digital banking platforms, so you can choose the right account for your needs, whether you're a sole trader, freelancer, small business or scaling company. Compare top Australian business accounts to see why Zeller Transaction Account stands out. As you can see from the table above, Zeller either matches or beats the big-4 banks in almost every area. Traditional banks like CommBank, NAB, Westpac and ANZ each offer business accounts with in-branch service, cash handling and international payment features. While these can suit businesses that still rely on physical banking, they often come with higher monthly fees and less flexible digital tools. The two limitations to a Zeller Business Transaction Account are depositing cash and multi-currency accounts. Zeller merchants typically overcome this by: – keeping a separate bank account with a traditional bank for the sole purpose of depositing cash, then sending the money directly to their Zeller Business Transaction Account – keeping international currencies with another provider (like Wise or Airwallex).   Note: Zeller is working towards offering multi-currency accounts, so watch this space! Understanding business bank accounts: what they are and why they're essential. A business bank account isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s a key part of running a compliant, professional and scalable operation. Here’s why you need one: Legal and tax compliance : If you're registered for GST or operate as a company, you’ll need a dedicated account for your business transactions. Simplified admin : Separating personal and business finances makes reconciling income, preparing for BAS, and managing deductions far easier. Professionalism : Customers take you more seriously, and are more likely to trust your business, when invoices and payments come from a business bank account. Cash flow control : Monitor your business incomings and outgoings more clearly to make faster decisions. Access to finance : It’s typically a requirement for business loans, overdrafts, business credit cards, and trade accounts. Types of business bank accounts in Australia. In Australia, there are a few core types of business accounts on offer, such as: Transaction accounts : Your day-to-day account for receiving payments, making purchases, paying suppliers. Savings accounts : For earning interest on unused business funds. Term deposits : Lock away funds for a set time to earn higher interest. Offset accounts : Linked to a business loan, helping reduce interest payments. Key factors to consider when choosing a business bank account. Fees Monthly fees, overdraft fees, dishonour fees, and FX costs can vary widely amongst business banks. For example: – Traditional banks may charge $10-$25/month just to keep the account open– Overdraft fees can be surprisingly high and feel unnecessarily punitive– International payments might include conversion fees or transfer costs– Staff-assisted transactions and even electronic transactions can also incur more fees This last point is worth illustrating with two examples: 1. CommBank charges $5 per staff-assisted transaction on business accounts 2.  Bendigo Bank charges $0.40 per electronic transaction on their Business Basic Account In contrast, Zeller Business Transaction Account has no fees whatsoever . For small businesses, especially those just starting out, these savings can quickly add up. Access and convenience In business, time is money. You’ll want an account that’s easy to use and built for purpose. Consider things like: – Does the online banking interface have a clean, modern design? – Does it have powerful transaction filtering and searching? – Is the mobile app easy to use on the go? ( Zeller App is rated 4.2 on the App Store) – Can you access help when you need it? (Zeller offers 24/7 online access and support) More businesses are moving away from needing face-to-face banking and instead placing higher value on mobile-first platforms that work wherever they are. Account features Choosing a business account isn’t just about the basics. The right features can save you time, reduce admin, and give you more control over how your business operates. For example, a Zeller Business Transaction Account offers you: Cards: Zeller lets you issue unlimited free physical and virtual debit cards with custom spending limits. You can also generate single-use virtual cards for added security when shopping online. Multi-user access: Give team members custom access, so they can view balances, send invoices or manage cards, without full account control. Integrations: You can easily connect your Zeller Business Transaction Account to tools like Xero for easy bookkeeping. Reporting: Built-in analytics, spending breakdowns, and receipt capture with Zeller. Access to interest: A Zeller Savings Account allows you to earn significantly more interest than with a traditional big-4 bank. Transaction categorisation: Automatically sort and label incoming and outgoing payments, helping you track spending by type, supplier or category. Multiple accounts: Spin up extra accounts for different projects, teams or business locations – no paperwork or branch visit required. Real-time fund transfers: Move money instantly via Australia's New Payment Platform (NPP). BPAY: Quickly and easily pay suppliers directly from your dashboard using BPAY. Security and regulation Traditional banks are Authorised Deposit-taking Institutions (ADIs), so deposits are protected by the Financial Claims Scheme (FCS), a government guarantee of up to $250,000 if the bank was to fail. With Zeller, customer funds are held in a segregated account at a fully-regulated, authorised Australian bank. Zeller also maintains strict compliance protocols, and uses advanced encryption, fraud monitoring and multi-factor authentication to keep your business finances secure. For many modern businesses, the benefits of speed, flexibility and innovation make this a smart, secure, and trusted alternative to traditional banking. Customer support Zeller offers 24/7 customer support via phone, email and SMS – so whether you need help setting up your account, have a question about a transaction, or are sorting something urgent during tax time, you can speak to someone when it matters most. Unlike many traditional providers, support isn't limited to business hours or ticket-based systems, you’ll speak to a real human with experience in supporting Aussie businesses. Suitability for your business type Every business is different. The right account for your business should suit your operating model, whether you're client-facing, retail-based, or remote. For example: Sole traders/freelancers often prioritise ease of use and low fees Growing businesses typically look for multi-user access, cards, and integrations Retailers/tradies frequently find POS and EFTPOS integration can make a huge difference International traders need strong FX capabilities and multi-currency accounts. Real-world examples: who should choose what? Not every business needs the same thing from their transaction account. Here are a few common scenarios to help you match features to your business type. Tradie on the road Zeller’s mobile-first setup, SMS invoicing and no-branch model means you can quote, invoice and track payments without ever setting foot in a bank. Freelancer with local clients Zeller gives you all the essentials with no monthly cost, plus faster access to funds to keep your cash flow healthy. Import/export business Wise and Airwallex make more sense here, with multi-currency accounts and competitive FX. Zeller does not currently offer multi-currency accounts yet, but has plans to do so in the future. Brick and mortar retailer Zeller integrates with EFTPOS and provides detailed sales tracking across channels. How to open a business account in Australia. Opening a business account in Australia is fairly straightforward, but exact requirements can vary slightly between providers. Here’s what to expect. In most cases, you’ll need: – A business name – An ABN or ACN – An industry type – Personal ID (driver licence or passport) – Business contact details – In some cases, business structure documentation (e.g. partnership agreement) With Zeller, the process is 100% online and takes just a few minutes. No paperwork. No queues. Just fast onboarding and instant access to your transaction account and cards. Managing your business account effectively. Once you’ve opened your account, here are a few tips to help you get the most out of it: Separate personal and business spending so your bookkeeping is cleaner and reconciling transactions is easier come tax time. Use categories and tags to track expenses by type – this helps you understand where your money’s going and identify areas to reduce spend. Review reports monthly to spot trends, catch anomalies, and stay on top of cash flow. Set up automatic payments to ensure bills, wages and subscriptions are always paid on time. Stay on top of GST and BAS by regularly exporting your records, so you’re never scrambling at lodgement time. Zeller makes all this easy, with built-in notes, digital receipts, auto-categorisation and integrations that connect your financial activity directly to your accounting software. So, which account is right for your business? The best business account depends on your priorities, but if you're an Australian business looking for a modern, mobile-first, all-in-one platform that’s free to use, integrates with your tools, and helps you manage everything from invoicing to spending, Zeller offers a strong alternative to the big-4 Australian banks. A Zeller Business Transaction Account is fast to set up, simple to use, and purpose-built for how Aussie businesses operate.