Top 5 POS Systems In New Zealand

ECommerce in New Zealand is developing at a fast pace in recent years. Research has shown that 88% of people aged 16-64 years old in New Zealand have searched for a product or service online. Indeed, POS systems are an essential part of developing eCommerce in retail stores. In this article, we will give you an overview of the top 5 POS systems in New Zealand based on their features and target customers.

Quick Comparison

ConnectPOS

ConnectPOS is a cloud-based retail POS designed to connect physical stores with established ecommerce platforms. It supports Shopify, Magento, BigCommerce, WooCommerce, Commercetools, and NetSuite.

This makes it relevant to retailers that already have an online store and do not want to migrate their e-commerce operation simply to introduce a new POS.

Key capabilities include:

• Product and order management
• Inventory visibility across locations
• Multiple payment-gateway integrations
• Staff roles and permissions
• Offline checkout
• Stock transfers and stocktaking on higher plans
• Click and collect
• Loyalty and gift-card support
• Multi-currency functions on higher plans

Best for: Retailers that already use an ecommerce platform and need a POS that connects stores, online orders, inventory, and payment systems.

Consider before choosing: Retailers should confirm which plan supports their required inventory, fulfilment, loyalty, and permission workflows. Prices are listed in USD, so New Zealand businesses should also account for currency conversion and any applicable taxes.

Lightspeed Retail

Vend was founded in New Zealand and became part of Lightspeed in 2021. The product is now known as Lightspeed Retail (X-Series), so the original Vend section in this article should not remain under its former name.

Lightspeed Retail is particularly strong in product and inventory management. It supports multiple outlets, stock transfers, supplier management, purchase orders, product variants, customer groups, loyalty, reporting, and location-specific price books.

Key capabilities include:

• Multi-location inventory management
• Purchase orders and supplier records
• Stock transfers
• Product variants
• Customer groups and loyalty
• Location-specific pricing
• Ecommerce and accounting integrations
• Detailed retail reporting

Best for: Established retailers with large catalogues, several locations, detailed purchasing processes, or more advanced inventory requirements.

Consider before choosing: Businesses should determine which features are included in their selected plan and whether payment, ecommerce, loyalty, and accounting services require additional subscriptions.

Shopify POS

Shopify POS extends Shopify’s ecommerce platform into physical retail. Products, customers, inventory, and orders are managed through the same Shopify back office.

For businesses already running a Shopify store, this removes much of the integration work involved in connecting online and in-store sales.

Key capabilities include:

• Connected online and in-store inventory
• Customer profiles
• Store pickup
• Ship-to-customer workflows
• Product and order management
• Staff roles and permissions with POS Pro
• Inventory counts and purchase orders with POS Pro
• Cross-location returns with POS Pro
• Integrated Shopify Payments
• Access to the Shopify App Store

Best for: New Zealand retailers whose ecommerce operation already runs on Shopify.

Consider before choosing: Basic in-person selling is included with Shopify’s paid commerce plans, but permanent retail stores may need POS Pro. The complete cost can include the Shopify subscription, POS Pro locations, payment-processing fees, applications, and hardware.

Hike POS

Hike POS is a cloud-based system for retail and hospitality businesses. It operates on computers, tablets, and mobile devices and can connect with ecommerce, accounting, inventory, and marketing platforms.

Hike supports Shopify, BigCommerce, WooCommerce, Magento, Xero, MYOB, QuickBooks Online, and Unleashed. It also allows retailers to use HikePay or retain a compatible external payment provider.

Key capabilities include:

• Inventory tracking
• Stocktakes and purchase orders
• Product variants and composite products
• Customer profiles
• Multi-outlet management
• Loyalty and gift cards
• Ecommerce integrations
• Accounting integrations
• Offline selling
• Flexible payment options

Best for: Independent and growing retailers that want broad integration and payment flexibility without committing to one ecommerce ecosystem.

Consider before choosing: The Essential plan supports only one outlet. Multi-location functions, ecommerce integrations, loyalty, price books, and advanced permissions require the Plus plan.

Epos Now

Epos Now provides cloud-based POS software and packaged hardware for retail and hospitality businesses. Its New Zealand offering includes countertop systems, payment terminals, inventory tools, reporting, onboarding, and integrations.

Unlike providers focused almost entirely on retail, Epos Now also supports cafés, restaurants, pubs, and other hospitality operations.

Key capabilities include:

• Retail and hospitality POS
• Inventory and stock control
• Sales and margin reporting
• Staff management
• Multiple-store support
• Ecommerce integrations
• Online ordering and collection
• Accounting and payment integrations
• Dedicated POS hardware
• Onboarding and support

Best for: Businesses that want software, payment options, onboarding, and countertop hardware from one provider.

Consider before choosing: Advertised package prices may cover hardware rather than the entire operating cost. Businesses should request a breakdown of software subscriptions, payment fees, integrations, support terms, and contract conditions.

When a Basic POS Is No Longer Enough

Most POS systems can process sales and track inventory for one store. Differences become more important when the business opens another location, adds an ecommerce channel, operates several warehouses, or needs employees to have different levels of access.

Common warning signs include:

• Online and store inventory no longer matching
• Staff manually transferring orders between systems
• Overselling products that are unavailable
• Separate customer records for online and in-store purchases
• Limited visibility across stores or warehouses
• Difficulty retaining an existing payment provider
• Increasing reliance on spreadsheets and manual reconciliation

At this stage, retailers should evaluate how the POS connects with their wider technology stack—not simply how quickly it processes checkout.

ConnectPOS is most relevant when the retailer already uses an ecommerce platform such as Shopify, Magento, BigCommerce, WooCommerce, Commercetools, or NetSuite and wants the physical-store layer to connect with that existing setup.

Its pricing is structured per register:

• US$49/month for Standard
• US$79/month for Advanced
• US$99/month for Premium
• Lower US$39, US$69, and US$89 monthly equivalents require annual billing

Conclusion

There is no single best POS system for every New Zealand retailer.

Lightspeed is a strong candidate for inventory-intensive and multi-store operations. Shopify POS is a natural extension for businesses already using Shopify. Hike provides broad integration and payment flexibility, while Epos Now can suit businesses seeking packaged hardware and support across retail or hospitality.

ConnectPOS becomes particularly relevant when a retailer has outgrown a basic store system and needs its physical locations to work with an established ecommerce platform, multiple inventory locations, or preferred payment providers.

Need help choosing the right POS for your stores, ecommerce platform, and payment setup? Contact our team to discuss your requirements.

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►►► Optimal solution set for businesses: Shopify POS, Magento POS, BigCommerce POS, WooCommerce POS, NetSuite POS, E-Commerce POS