Top Picks Affordable Restaurant POS Systems in New Zealand 2025

Essential Features for NZ Restaurant POS

1. Streamline Ordering & Table Turnover

In New Zealand's busy hospitality scene, order management is the backbone of a good service. Your POS should deliver core capabilities including clear table management with real-time status updates. That visibility helps you prioritise which tables to turn over during peak periods. Orders should flow directly to the kitchen to reduce mistakes and speed preparation, thus seamless Kitchen Display System (KDS) integration is essential for syncing front-of-house and back-of-house operations.

2. Seamless Payment Processing

For the New Zealand market, payment processing is a core requirement. Integrated EFTPOS support should be standard; your system ought to work with local providers like Paymark, Verifone, and Smartpay Eats365. Expect contactless payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay) and the option for mobile EFTPOS terminals so staff can finalise payments at the table. Transaction fees in NZ typically sit around 2.3–3.5% plus 10–15 cents per transaction EFTPOS Now, and while these add up, the speed and security they bring often justify the cost.

3. Easy Third-party Integrations

Integration capability matters! At minimum, your POS should connect with popular NZ accounting software like Xero and MYOB to reduce manual data consolidation and risks of making mistakes. In a delivery-led market, integration with platforms such as Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Menulog is essential for smooth order flow and fewer manual errors. Ideally, orders from delivery apps should appear automatically in the POS and are routed to the kitchen, keeping online and offline channels in sync.

4. Cloud Access

Cloud architecture underpins flexibility and, often, affordability. It lets you monitor the business 24/7 from any device, push live menu updates, and access real‑time reports. Keep handy when you’re arranging shifts, locations, or simply checking performance off-site. These live insights help you make faster, more confident decisions about pricing, staffing, and promotions.

6 Affordable POS Systems Recommended for NZ Restaurants

Based on 2025 market analysis, total ownership costs of an restaurant POS system typically range from $3,000–$15,000 annually depending on size and needs. Here we'll break down 6 most affordable POS system, and how they fit different operational profiles and budgets. 

A. Square for Restaurants

Pricing: Free core software with transaction-based fees (~1.6–1.9% in NZ). No monthly subscription required. For a typical Auckland café processing 200 transactions daily at $25 average, processing costs can reach roughly $1,350 monthly.

Target Audience: New venues, small cafés, food trucks, and pop-ups testing POS functionality.

Standout Value Features:

• Zero upfront software costs, pay only per transaction

• Fast iPad setup with minimal training

• Mobile payment options for on-the-go sales

• Integration with Square’s broader ecosystem

Critical Consideration: Fees add up with volume; less suited to high-transaction QSRs or complex full-service operations.

Source: Restaurant POS System Pricing | Square for Restaurants (squareup.com)

B. Clover POS

Pricing: Starter package for QSR starts from $135/month (36-month contact) or $849+ $89.95/mo including hardware. 

Target Audience: Breweries with taprooms, bottle shops, cafés with retail focus.

Standout Value Features:

• Affordable entry pricing for dual-system setups

• Extensive app marketplace for customisation

• Strong retail and e-commerce features

Critical Consideration: Clover often requires purchasing their own hardware in bundle, thus making the initial investment higher.

Read more: Quick Service Restaurant POS System Pricing | Clover

3. Lavu

Pricing: Tiered plans with dual-pricing structure. Starts from $99 USD/month with 2% processing fee.

Target Audience: Pizzerias, ice cream shops, breweries, wineries needing niche workflows.

Standout Value Features:

• Specialised templates for specific concepts

• Hybrid cloud/on-premise options

• Large library of third-party integrations

Critical Consideration: A broad “do-it-all” approach can dilute focus on core, high-volume POS performance.

Source: Lavu vs Square: Which POS System is Best for Restaurants?

4. TouchBistro

Pricing: $69 USD/month base plan. Includes core POS features, cloud reports, 24/7 support, and unlimited users.

Target Audience: QSRs and full-service restaurants, single locations to regional chains.

Standout Value Features:

• Built specifically for restaurant workflows

• iPad-based—can reuse compatible existing devices

• Table-service features included in base price

• Strong staff scheduling and menu management

• Freedom to choose your payment processor

Critical Consideration: Good for growing local operations; not focused on international expansion.

Source: TouchBistro POS System Pricing & Plans - TouchBistro

5. Eats365

Pricing: Basic plan NZ$29/month and Advanced plan NZ$59/month. Cloud-based subscription model with add-on expansion models. Enabling the restaurants to only pay for the functions they need. Each expansion module like KDS, QR ordering costs from NZ$19/month only.

Target Audience: Restaurants that starts small but ambitious. Needing smooth integration across dine-in, delivery, and online channels.

Standout Value Features:

• Comprehensive cloud infrastructure

• Modularized pricing structure making it suitable for business from small to big

• Deep integration with NZ delivery platforms (Uber Eats, DoorDash, Menulog)

• 300+ menu configuration options

• Real-time sync across all sales channels

Critical Consideration: Built with local compliance and integrations in mind, including Xero connectivity. Integrated POS users can see up to a 30% reduction in order processing errors.

Source: Pricing | Powerful & Affordable POS | Eats365 New Zealand (eats365pos.com)

6. RocketPOS

Pricing: From $99/month plus GST 

Target Audience: NZ venues prioritising local support and NZ-specific features

Standout Value Features:

• NZ-based supplier with local customer support

• Native Xero integration

• Cloud-based with real-time tablet access

• Table management, kitchen ticketing, and reporting

Critical Consideration: After-sales assistance during NZ business hours removes international time-zone headaches. As Eats365’s NZ guide notes, accessible local support can be a real lifesaver during peak services.

Source: Navigating the Costs of POS Systems for New Zealand Businesses (rocketpos.co.nz)

Note: Pricing converted to NZD using approximate exchange rates and includes GST where applicable.

Eats365, A POS System That Grows With You

Choosing the right POS system is crucial for New Zealand restaurants aiming for efficiency and profitability. From streamlining orders to integrating with delivery platforms and managing inventory, Eats365 offers a comprehensive cloud-based POS solution and modularized pricing structure makes it flexible for both smaller start-ups and chains.  Discover how Eats365 can elevate your business, contact us today for a personalized inquiry.

FAQs about restaurant pos

Q: What essential features should an affordable restaurant POS have?

An affordable restaurant POS should offer clear table management with real-time status updates, seamless Kitchen Display System (KDS) integration, split billing, local payment processing compatibility (EFTPOS, Paymark, Verifone, Smartpay), real-time inventory tracking, staff management features, and integration with NZ accounting software and delivery platforms like Uber Eats.

Q: How can a restaurant POS system improve order accuracy and service speed?

By integrating orders directly to the kitchen via KDS, a POS reduces manual entry errors and speeds up preparation. Real-time table status helps prioritise table turnover during peak times, and automatic sync across dine-in, delivery, and online channels lowers mistake rates by up to 30%, which ensures faster, more accurate service and happier customers.

Q: What advantages does a cloud-based restaurant POS offer to NZ operators?

Cloud-based POS systems provide real-time remote access to sales and inventory data, automatic software updates, scalable features, improved data security, and the convenience of managing multiple venues from any device. These benefits lower upfront costs and support growth without the need for complex hardware investments.

Q: How does Eats365’s restaurant POS support multi-channel operations?

Eats365 POS offers deep integration with major NZ delivery platforms like Uber Eats, DoorDash, Menulog, and native support for local payment providers. Its cloud infrastructure enables real-time synchronization of orders across dine-in, takeout, and delivery channels, reducing errors and manual work by up to 30%, making operations seamless and efficient.

Q: Can Eats365 help reduce staff errors and improve inventory control?

Yes. Eats365 POS includes real-time inventory management with automated low-stock alerts, recipe cost calculation, and centralized reporting. Individual staff logins with access controls increase accountability. These features reduce errors and food waste, enhancing profitability and operational accuracy.

Q: What factors should NZ restaurant owners consider when budgeting for a POS system?

Consider total cost of ownership including setup, hardware, transaction fees, and integration expenses. First-year costs for small to medium venues typically range from NZD 3,000 to 10,000 depending on size and complexity. Factor in local support availability and scalability to avoid costly replacements as your business grows.