Brandwave

Shopify POS vs Square:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Square had more branded searches than Shopify POS among POS systems in New Zealand. Square had about 870 branded searches, while Shopify POS had 290. Square made up 11.8% of all POS system searches we track, and Shopify POS accounted for 3.9%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about POS systems, Shopify POS appeared in three of the five answers and Square in one. Shopify POS was mentioned before Square in every answer.

Among POS systems in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Square, about 3 searches for every 1 for Shopify POS

Square 870 searchesShopify POS 290 searches

Who does AI mention more?

Shopify POS, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Square in 1

Shopify POS in 3 of 5Square in 1 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Shopify POS, named ahead of Square in every answer

Shopify POS first in 3Square never first

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Top POS systems in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Shopify POS was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the 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. Shopify POS was listed before Square in every answer.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Lightspeed1st
  2. Shopify POS2nd
  3. Hike POS3rd
  4. Bustle4th
  5. Square5th
  6. 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

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.

Is Shopify POS or Square more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Shopify POS and Square by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all six POS systems we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

Shopify POS and Square among POS systems in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for Square, Shopify POS. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthLightspeedBustleSquareKountaShopify POSHike POS
Oct 202555.3%27.5%6.7%4.7%5.4%0.35%
Nov 202549.7%32.9%6.5%4.7%5.8%0.35%
Dec 202547.2%33.9%6.3%5.8%6.5%0.29%
Jan 202648.8%29.8%8.6%4.6%7.9%0.27%
Feb 202649.4%27.9%9.7%3.6%8.9%0.51%
Mar 202651.5%25%10.1%3.6%9.5%0.32%
Apr 202656.3%21.7%10.9%3.9%6.7%0.46%
May 202651.2%22.1%14.3%3.9%8.1%0.35%
Jun 202652.9%19.1%16.2%4.9%6.6%0.36%
Jul 202653.3%20.4%14.9%4.7%6.2%0.55%
Aug 202653%24%13.5%4.5%4.3%0.68%
Sep 202653.1%25.7%11.8%4.5%3.9%0.95%

How has the Shopify POS and Square comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • The lead changed hands 2 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: Shopify POS took it in December 2025, Square took it in January 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Shopify POS’s share of searches among POS systems in New Zealand moved from 5.4% to 3.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 460 to 290.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Square’s share of searches among POS systems in New Zealand moved from 6.7% to 11.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 570 to 870.

How did search popularity change for New Zealand POS systems in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, Square lost share of searches among POS systems in New Zealand, from 13.5% to 11.8%.

  2. 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.

How are branded searches counted?

14 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Shopify POS’s and Square’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

Shopify POS

6 branded search terms

  • shopify pos app
  • shopify pos fee
  • shopify pos payments
  • shopify pos pro
  • shopify pos system
  • shopifypos

Square

8 branded search terms

  • square appointments
  • square it
  • square pos
  • square pos system
  • square reader
  • square restaurant
  • square space site
  • square terminal

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among POS systems

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