Best POS Systems Australia 2026 — Compare Square, Lightspeed, Foodhub & More

Q: What is the best POS system for a cafe in Australia in 2026?

Foodhub is our top pick for most Australian cafes in 2026 due to its zero per-order commission model, full hardware suite and competitive pricing. Lightspeed is the better choice for larger multi-site operators needing advanced reporting.

Q: How much does a POS system cost in Australia?

POS system costs in Australia range from free (Square's base plan, Foodhub) with transaction fees, to $119+ per month per location (Lightspeed). Most hospitality-grade systems cost between $0 and $200 per month depending on features and venue size.

Q: Does Square work for restaurants in Australia?

Square works well for low-volume cafes and pop-ups in Australia but its 1.9% transaction fee becomes expensive at scale. A venue doing $1M in annual revenue pays approximately $19,000 per year in Square fees. Alternatives like Foodhub with zero commissions become significantly cheaper above $500k revenue.

Our verdict — May 2026

Foodhub is our top pick for most Australian venues in 2026 — zero per-order commissions, strong hardware suite and the best value for cafés and restaurants doing $500k+ revenue. Lightspeed wins for larger multi-site operators needing advanced reporting. Square is fine for low-volume venues but its fees become punishing at scale. See our full side-by-side comparison →

#1 Pick

Foodhub

Full hospitality tech suite — POS, ordering, kiosks, delivery

🏆 Editor's Choice Best value Zero commissions

Overall

9.2

Value

9.8

Features

8.9

AU Support

8.4

per order commission

Get quote Compare

🖥

Full POS

✅

📱

Branded App

✅

🅿

Self-order Kiosk

✅

💳

EFTPOS

✅

🛵

Delivery Mgmt

✅

🌐

Marketplace

✅

Pros

Zero per-order commission — huge saving vs delivery platforms

Full product suite — POS, app, kiosk, payments in one

30,000+ venues globally — proven at scale

Competitive upfront pricing vs Lightspeed

Strong EFTPOS integration, fully offline-capable

Cons

Less brand recognition in AU than Square or Lightspeed

Local phone support hours could be broader

Marketplace reach smaller than Menulog/Uber in some cities

Best for

Cafés and restaurants wanting zero commissions

Venues moving off Square or UberEats

Operators wanting a full tech stack in one deal

Independently reviewed — no commercial relationship

Lightspeed Restaurant

Enterprise-grade POS for multi-site and high-volume operators

Best for multi-site Advanced reporting

Overall

8.7

Value

7.2

Features

9.4

AU Support

8.8

$119

per month / location

Get quote Compare

🖥

Full POS

✅

📱

Branded App

⚡ Add-on

🅿

Self-order Kiosk

⚡ Add-on

💳

EFTPOS

✅

🛵

Delivery Mgmt

✗

📊

Analytics

✅

Pros

Best-in-class reporting and analytics for multi-site

Strong AU presence with local support team

Deep integrations with accounting and inventory tools

Reliable hardware and offline mode

Cons

Most expensive option per location

Overkill for single-site smaller venues

Kiosk and app require additional modules

Best for

Multi-site operators (3+ locations)

Venues with complex menu and reporting needs

High-volume restaurants and hotel groups

Square for Restaurants

Easy to start, expensive at scale — know the maths before you commit

Low entry cost ⚠ Fees add up fast

Overall

7.9

Value

6.1

Features

7.8

AU Support

7.2

1.9%

per transaction

Get quote Compare

🖥

Full POS

✅

📱

Branded App

✗

🅿

Self-order Kiosk

⚡ Add-on

💳

EFTPOS

✅

🛵

Delivery Mgmt

✗

🌐

Marketplace

✗

Pros

Very easy to set up — minimal training required

No monthly fee on the free plan

Strong brand recognition and ecosystem

Cons

1.9% per transaction — costs $19,000/yr at $1M revenue

No branded app or marketplace included

Limited hospitality-specific features vs competitors

Support quality inconsistent for Australian operators

Best for

Very low volume venues just starting out

Pop-ups and market stalls

Not recommended for venues above $500k revenue

Frequently asked questions

What is the best POS system for a cafe in Australia in 2026?

How much does a POS system cost in Australia?

Does Square work for restaurants in Australia?

Feature comparison — at a glance

Feature	Foodhub ⭐	Lightspeed	Square	Impos	OrderMate
Full POS	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Branded mobile app	✓	Add-on	✗	✗	Add-on
Self-order kiosk	✓	Add-on	Add-on	Add-on	✗
Zero commissions	✓	✓	✗	✓	✓
Integrated EFTPOS	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Offline mode	✓	✓	Partial	✓	✓
Delivery management	✓	✗	✗	✗	✗
AU-based support	✓	✓	Limited	✓	✓
Multi-site reporting	Basic	✓	Basic	✓	✓
Monthly fee	From $0	$119+/loc	$0 + 1.9%	POA	POA

See full head-to-head comparison

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