Shift4 vs Windcave:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Windcave had more branded searches than Shift4 among POS terminal brands in New Zealand. Windcave had about 3,630 branded searches, while Shift4 had 1,300. Windcave made up 30.5% of all POS terminal brand searches we track, and Shift4 accounted for 10.9%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about POS terminal brands, Shift4 appeared in four of the five answers and Windcave in three. Windcave was mentioned before Shift4 in two out of three answers.
Who do people search for more?
Windcave, about 3 searches for every 1 for Shift4
Who does AI mention more?
Shift4, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Windcave in 3
Who does AI recommend more?
Windcave, named ahead of Shift4 in 2 of 3 answers
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Top POS terminal brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Shift4 was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Windcave was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Windcave was listed before Shift4 in two out of three answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Eftpos NZ4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- Shift44 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Verifone4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- Windcave3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Square2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Lightspeed1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Adyen0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about POS terminal brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which POS terminal brand should I buy in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best POS terminal brands in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best POS terminal brand in New Zealand for counter payments?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best pos terminal”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“eftpos terminal nz”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.
Is Shift4 or Windcave more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Shift4 and Windcave by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven POS terminal brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Windcave, Shift4. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Lightspeed | Windcave | Eftpos NZ | Shift4 | Square | Adyen | Verifone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 37.4% | 36.7% | 15.7% | 1.2% | 4.7% | 2.6% | 1.7% |
| Nov 2025 | 35.2% | 31.8% | 20.9% | 2.3% | 4.8% | 2.8% | 2.3% |
| Dec 2025 | 33.3% | 38.8% | 17.1% | 1.2% | 4.6% | 2.8% | 2.2% |
| Jan 2026 | 33.5% | 36% | 18.6% | 1.1% | 6.2% | 2.6% | 2.1% |
| Feb 2026 | 33.9% | 33.3% | 17.4% | 3.6% | 7% | 2.9% | 1.9% |
| Mar 2026 | 33.3% | 26.7% | 17.6% | 11.7% | 6.8% | 2.3% | 1.5% |
| Apr 2026 | 35.3% | 27.5% | 14.2% | 11.9% | 7.1% | 2.4% | 1.6% |
| May 2026 | 32.9% | 28.6% | 14.7% | 10.1% | 9.5% | 2.5% | 1.6% |
| Jun 2026 | 32.9% | 28.1% | 14.7% | 10% | 10.5% | 2.5% | 1.3% |
| Jul 2026 | 30.8% | 29.9% | 15.7% | 10.7% | 8.9% | 2.1% | 1.7% |
| Aug 2026 | 31.2% | 30.2% | 15.8% | 10.8% | 8.3% | 2.2% | 1.4% |
| Sep 2026 | 31.4% | 30.5% | 16% | 10.9% | 7.3% | 2.2% | 1.8% |
How has the Shift4 and Windcave comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Windcave was ahead of Shift4 in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Shift4’s share of searches among POS terminal brands in New Zealand moved from 1.2% to 10.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 140 to 1.3K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Windcave’s share of searches among POS terminal brands in New Zealand moved from 36.7% to 30.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 4.5K to 3.6K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand POS terminal brands in September 2026?
2 changes
Windcave’s share of searches among POS terminal brands in New Zealand has gained ground for 3 months in a row, from 28.1% to 30.5% in September 2026.
Shift4’s share of searches among POS terminal brands in New Zealand has gained ground for 3 months in a row, from 10% to 10.9% in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Shift4’s and Windcave’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.
Other head-to-heads among POS terminal brands
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