Cheapest EFTPOS for Small Business NZ: Full Cost Guide
If you own a small business in New Zealand, the EFTPOS terminal next to your till probably feels like a fixed cost that just sits there — until the monthly statement arrives. The real cost of taking card payments isn’t one flat price; it’s a stack of small charges: terminal rental, network fees, merchant service fees, and per-transaction percentages. This guide compares the cheapest EFTPOS and mobile card options for NZ small businesses using current bank pricing and the Commerce Commission’s analysis, so you can see exactly where the money goes.
Cheapest EFTPOS for small business in New Zealand: fees compared
Cheapest terminal rental: $30/month ex GST (ASB) · EFTPOS per-tx fee: $0 (Commerce Commission) · All-in mobile terminal: $37.50/month ex GST (Westpac)
Key facts at a glance
The pricing that matters most to a small business lands in a handful of categories, and the pattern is surprisingly consistent.
Countertop EFTPOS
- Fixed terminals for retail counters
- Low per-transaction rates for over-the-counter sales
- Entry rental from $30/month (ASB)
Portable / mobile EFTPOS
- Battery-powered for markets and delivery
- All-in rental $37.50/month (Westpac)
- Network fee and SIM included (Westpac)
Phone / softPOS
- No separate terminal needed
- Accepts contactless via NFC
- Lowest upfront cost for small sellers
Online payment gateway
- For e-commerce and pay-by-link
- Can bundle with EFTPOS for better rates
- Expands payment options beyond card present
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Cheapest monthly EFTPOS terminal rental | $30 ex GST (ASB) |
| All-in mobile terminal plan | $37.50/month ex GST, incl. network fee and SIM (Westpac) |
| Setup fee on Westpac Get Paid | $0 (Westpac) |
| EFTPOS per-transaction fee on Cheque/Savings | $0 (ASB) |
| Eftpos network per-transaction fee | $0 (Commerce Commission) |
| Contactless debit fee | 0.69% (Westpac) |
| Other NZ card fee | 1.09% (Westpac) |
| International card fee | 2.39% (Westpac) |
| Merchant service fee on Visa/Mastercard | Charged (BNZ) |
What is the cheapest way to accept card payments?
For most small businesses, the cheapest way to accept card payments starts with an EFTPOS terminal, because the underlying Eftpos network doesn’t charge a per-transaction fee, according to the Commerce Commission.
Which terminal is cheapest then comes down to monthly rental. ASB, one of New Zealand’s major trading banks, charges $30 a month excluding GST for its EFTPOS and card terminal plan, while Westpac’s Get Paid plan bundles the network fee and SIM into a flat $37.50 a month with no setup fee. So the cheapest way isn’t one magic provider: it’s the lowest rental plus zero per-transaction fees on the cards your customers use most.
What is the cheapest EFTPOS machine for small businesses?
ASB’s $30/month terminal is the cheapest monthly rental among major NZ banks. Westpac’s Get Paid plan at $37.50/month includes the network fee and SIM, which changes the comparison when those costs are added in. The lowest machine price therefore depends on whether you compare rental alone or the full monthly package.
The pricing picture sharpens when you line up the two bank terminals side by side: one starts with a lower rental, the other bundles its network fee into a higher monthly price.
| Cost component | ASB EFTPOS terminal | Westpac Get Paid | What to watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly terminal rental | $30 ex GST (ASB) | $37.50 ex GST (Westpac) | Westpac includes network fee and SIM |
| Setup fee | Not itemised | $0 (Westpac) | Confirm there are no other upfront costs |
| EFTPOS per-transaction fee | $0 on Cheque/Savings (ASB) | $0 on inserted/swiped debit (Westpac) | Eftpos network has no per-tx fee (Commerce Commission) |
| Contactless debit | Not itemised | 0.69% (Westpac) | Tap fees add up fast |
How much does an EFTPOS machine cost in NZ?
EFTPOS machine costs in NZ range from $30/month for an ASB countertop terminal to $37.50/month for Westpac’s all-in mobile plan. The total cost depends on terminal rental, network fees, and per-transaction fees — not just the sticker price on the machine itself.
The cheapest machine is only half the battle: the mix of card types your customers use decides the actual bill.
Which card machine has the lowest transaction fee?
If you measure per-transaction fees, the answer is clear. EFTPOS debit transactions on Cheque or Savings cost $0 with both ASB and Westpac, and the Eftpos network itself doesn’t charge a per-transaction fee, according to the Commerce Commission.
No merchant service fee applies to cash, Eftpos, or where a debit card is inserted or swiped through an EFTPOS terminal.
Westpac — bank pricing for EFTPOS transactions
Pros and cons of chasing a low transaction fee
- Pro: $0 merchant service fee on EFTPOS, cash, and inserted/swiped debit (Westpac; Commerce Commission).
- Con: contactless debit cards cost 0.69% (Westpac).
- Con: other NZ card transactions cost 1.09% (Westpac).
- Con: international cards cost 2.39% (Westpac).
The machine with the lowest per-transaction fee isn’t always the one with the lowest total bill — it’s the one that routes your customers’ most common payment type at the lowest effective rate.
If most of your revenue is EFTPOS, the zero per-transaction fee is worth more than any rental discount.
What this means: a $7-per-month rental difference is quickly outweighed by a 0.69% fee applied to hundreds of tap transactions.
Which cards have no transaction fees?
The cards that attract no merchant service fee on an EFTPOS terminal are the ones where the customer selects Cheque or Savings, or where a debit card is inserted or swiped rather than tapped. ASB states that Cheque and Savings EFTPOS transactions don’t incur a merchant service fee, and Westpac says the same for cash, Eftpos, and inserted or swiped debit.
No per-transaction fee applies to in-person card payments processed by the Eftpos network.
Commerce Commission — Retail Payment System consultation paper
Fee timeline: what each payment type costs
- Customer pays with EFTPOS Cheque/Savings — $0 per transaction (ASB).
- Customer taps a contactless debit card — 0.69% (Westpac).
- Customer pays with another NZ card — 1.09% (Westpac).
- Customer pays with an international card — 2.39% (Westpac).
- At the end of the month — terminal rental plus any network fees (ASB or Westpac).
So the zero fee isn’t a gimmick — it’s just hiding in the payment method.
What is the best card payment service for small businesses?
No single provider wins for every business, but the decision comes down to your customers’ preferred payment method. If your volume is mostly EFTPOS and you want the lowest monthly rental, ASB’s $30 terminal is the best place to start. If you need a mobile terminal and want network fees included, Westpac’s $37.50 Get Paid plan is competitive. BNZ also processes EFTPOS, but it charges merchant service fees on Visa and Mastercard, so the effective cost depends on your card mix.
What is the best way to accept payments for a small business?
The best way to accept payments matches your customers’ payment habits while keeping monthly overhead predictable. A countertop EFTPOS terminal suits retail counters; a mobile plan suits markets, delivery, or in-home services; an online gateway adds e-commerce flexibility.
Can I use my phone as an EFTPOS machine in NZ?
Yes — phones with NFC can accept contactless payments through softPOS apps, which means no separate EFTPOS terminal is required for low-volume, mobile sellers. This is the lowest upfront cost option, though per-transaction fees still apply to contactless payments.
How to compare EFTPOS deals for your small business
- List your monthly card mix: EFTPOS, contactless debit, other NZ cards, international cards.
- Get the terminal rental and setup fee in writing: ASB from $30/month; Westpac $0 setup.
- Apply per-transaction percentages to your volumes: 0.69% contactless debit, 1.09% other NZ cards, 2.39% international.
- Add any network fees: Westpac includes this in the $37.50 price; ASB may not.
- Compare total cost over 12 months.
For most small businesses, the cheapest EFTPOS service is the one that matches the way customers actually pay.
bnz.co.nz, salespoint.nz, comcom.govt.nz, wise.com, westpac.co.nz, westpac.co.nz, wise.com, tabin.co.nz, stripe.com, asb.co.nz
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest EFTPOS terminal rental for NZ small businesses?
ASB charges $30/month ex GST for its EFTPOS and card terminal plan, while Westpac’s Get Paid bundles network fee and SIM into $37.50/month. The cheapest total still depends on your card mix.
Which payment method on a card machine has no transaction fee?
Any machine that routes Cheque or Savings EFTPOS transactions: those transactions cost $0 with ASB and Westpac, and the Eftpos network doesn’t charge a per-transaction fee.
What are the merchant service fees for Westpac?
Westpac charges 0.69% for contactless debit, 1.09% for other NZ cards, and 2.39% for international cards.
Does the Eftpos network charge merchants per transaction?
No. The Commerce Commission confirms that no per-transaction fee applies to in-person Eftpos card payments.
How much does an EFTPOS terminal cost per month in NZ?
From $30/month at ASB to $37.50/month at Westpac, depending on the provider and whether network fees and SIM are included.
Is Westpac Get Paid a good deal for small businesses?
If a $0 setup fee and an all-in network plus SIM price of $37.50 match your volume, yes. Just remember contactless debit adds 0.69%.
More related posts
How to Buy, Redeem & Troubleshoot Skinny Top Up Vouchers
PAK’nSAVE Tauriko: Hours, Phone, Online Shopping & Specials
Reduced to Clear Rotorua: Hours, Savings & Shopping Guide
Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua NZ Time: Watch on Netflix
Pizza Hut Bell Block – Menu, Phone & Prices
Are Lab Grown Diamonds Real? Truth on Authenticity & Value
Free Car Valuation NZ: How to Check Your Car’s Worth Online
Extra Virgin Olive Oil NZ – Top Brands and Buying Guide
