How popular isSquare?
In September 2026, people searched for Square by name about 1,060 times in New Zealand, a 27.7% increase from the previous year. These searches made up 11.8% of all New Zealand POS system searches, placing Square third out of six systems. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about POS systems, Square appeared in one of the five answers and was the joint fifth most recommended of the six.
Square is the third most searched of 6 competitors and the joint fifth most recommended in AI answers.
LightspeedShare of searches 53.1%Mentioned in 4 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
BustleShare of searches 25.7%Mentioned in 2 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th
SquareShare of searches 11.8%Mentioned in 1 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 5th- KountaShare of searches 4.5%Mentioned in 1 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 5th
Shopify POSShare of searches 3.9%Mentioned in 3 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
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Top POS systems in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Square was mentioned in one out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Square is the joint fifth most recommended of the six.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
- Lightspeed1st
- Shopify POS2nd
Hike POS3rd- Bustle4th
- Square5th
- Kounta5th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Lightspeed4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Shopify POS3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Hike POS3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Bustle2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Square1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Kounta1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about POS systems
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which POS system should I use in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best POS systems in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best POS system in New Zealand for retail store?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“pos systems nz”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“point of sale system”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.
Which POS systems compete with Square?
Share of searches by month for Lightspeed, Bustle, Square, Kounta, Shopify POS. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Lightspeed | Bustle | Square | Kounta | Shopify POS | Hike POS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 55.3% | 27.5% | 6.7% | 4.7% | 5.4% | 0.35% |
| Nov 2025 | 49.7% | 32.9% | 6.5% | 4.7% | 5.8% | 0.35% |
| Dec 2025 | 47.2% | 33.9% | 6.3% | 5.8% | 6.5% | 0.29% |
| Jan 2026 | 48.8% | 29.8% | 8.6% | 4.6% | 7.9% | 0.27% |
| Feb 2026 | 49.4% | 27.9% | 9.7% | 3.6% | 8.9% | 0.51% |
| Mar 2026 | 51.5% | 25% | 10.1% | 3.6% | 9.5% | 0.32% |
| Apr 2026 | 56.3% | 21.7% | 10.9% | 3.9% | 6.7% | 0.46% |
| May 2026 | 51.2% | 22.1% | 14.3% | 3.9% | 8.1% | 0.35% |
| Jun 2026 | 52.9% | 19.1% | 16.2% | 4.9% | 6.6% | 0.36% |
| Jul 2026 | 53.3% | 20.4% | 14.9% | 4.7% | 6.2% | 0.55% |
| Aug 2026 | 53% | 24% | 13.5% | 4.5% | 4.3% | 0.68% |
| Sep 2026 | 53.1% | 25.7% | 11.8% | 4.5% | 3.9% | 0.95% |
| Rank | Brand | Share of searches | Estimated monthly branded searches | vs prior month | Share change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1, held 1st | 53.1% | 3.9K | -0.26% | +0.1 points | |
| 2, held 2nd | 25.7% | 1.9K | +6.8% | +1.7 points | |
| 3, held 3rd | 11.8% | 870 | -13% | -1.7 points | |
| 4, held 4th | 4.5% | 330 | 0% | 0 points | |
| 5, held 5th | 3.9% | 290 | -9.4% | -0.4 points | |
| 6, held 6th | 0.95% | 70 | +40% | +0.3 points |
53.1%
Held 1st. 3.9K estimated branded searches, -0.26% vs prior month. Share +0.1 points.
2.
Bustle25.7%
Held 2nd. 1.9K estimated branded searches, +6.8% vs prior month. Share +1.7 points.
3.
Square11.8%
Held 3rd. 870 estimated branded searches, -13% vs prior month. Share -1.7 points.
4.
Kounta4.5%
Held 4th. 330 estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share 0 points.
3.9%
Held 5th. 290 estimated branded searches, -9.4% vs prior month. Share -0.4 points.
6.
Hike POS0.95%
Held 6th. 70 estimated branded searches, +40% vs prior month. Share +0.3 points.
Compare popularity between Square and its closest rivals
Every comparison with Square
27 comparisons
- Bustle vs Square
- Eftpos NZ vs Square
- Lightspeed vs Square
- Shift4 vs Square
- POLi vs Square
- Smartpay vs Square
- Airwallex vs Square
- GoCardless vs Square
- PayPal vs Square
- Revolut vs Square
- Square vs Stripe
- Square vs Windcave
- Square vs Wise
- Square vs Worldline
- Mollie vs Square
- Braintree vs Square
- Paystation vs Square
- Kounta vs Square
- Adyen vs Square
- Square vs Verifone
- Shopify POS vs Square
- Cliniko vs Square
- Fresha vs Square
- Gensolve vs Square
- Kitomba vs Square
- Mindbody vs Square
- Square vs Timely
How has branded search demand for Square changed in New Zealand over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for Square in New Zealand rose from 830 to 1.1K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Square’s share of searches among POS systems in New Zealand increased from 6.7% to 11.8%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Square’s share of searches among POS systems in New Zealand peaked at 16.2% in June 2026 and was lowest at 6.3% in December 2025.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand POS systems in September 2026?
6 changes
In September 2026, Bustle gained share of searches among POS systems in New Zealand, from 24% to 25.7%.
In September 2026, Square lost share of searches among POS systems in New Zealand, from 13.5% to 11.8%.
Hike POS’s share of searches among POS systems in New Zealand has gained ground for 3 months in a row, from 0.36% to 0.95% in September 2026.
Shopify POS’s share of searches among POS systems in New Zealand has lost ground for 3 months in a row, from 6.6% to 3.9% in September 2026.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Kounta in New Zealand fell 17.5% over 12 measured months, from 400 to 330 in September 2026.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Lightspeed in New Zealand fell 16.8% over 12 measured months, from 4.7K to 3.9K in September 2026.
How are Square’s branded searches counted?
13 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Square’s name. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brand is growing, holding steady, or fading.
- square appointments
- square eftpos
- square it
- square payment
- square payment gateway
- square payment processor
- square payments
- square pos
- square pos system
- square reader
- square restaurant
- square space site
- square terminal
Who owns Square?
Square is owned by 
Block. Brandwave also tracks 
Afterpay, owned by the same company, in New Zealand.
Do you work for Square? To request corrections or removal please contact us via our support page and we will be happy to assist.
Where does Square compete?
| Competitor set | Rank | Share of searches | Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Payment processors | 9th of 15 | 0.86% | Show ranking |
| Payment providers | 7th of 9 | 1.4% | Show ranking |
| Salon and clinic booking software | 7th of 8 | 0.71% | Show ranking |
| POS terminal brands | 5th of 7 | 7.3% | Show ranking |
| POS systems | 3rd of 6 | 11.8% | Shown above |
Is Square your brand?
Put your own campaigns, spend and outcomes next to this demand line, so you can see which of your marketing lined up with the movements above.