Brandwave

Square vs Windcave:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Windcave had more branded searches than Square among POS terminal brands in New Zealand. Windcave had about 3,630 branded searches, while Square had 870. Windcave made up 30.5% of all POS terminal brand searches we track, and Square accounted for 7.3%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about POS terminal brands, Windcave appeared in three of the five answers and Square in two. Windcave was mentioned before Square in every answer.

Among POS terminal brands in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Windcave, about 4 searches for every 1 for Square

Windcave 3.6K searchesSquare 870 searches

Who does AI mention more?

Windcave, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Square in 2

Windcave in 3 of 5Square in 2 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Windcave, named ahead of Square in every answer

Windcave first in 3Square never first

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Top POS terminal brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and 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. Square was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Windcave 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. Verifone1st
  2. Windcave2nd
  3. Shift43rd
  4. Eftpos NZ4th
  5. Lightspeed5th
  6. Square6th
  7. Adyen–

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

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 Square or Windcave more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Square 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.

Square and Windcave among POS terminal brands in New Zealand, by month

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

View monthly share of searches table
MonthLightspeedWindcaveEftpos NZShift4SquareAdyenVerifone
Oct 202537.4%36.7%15.7%1.2%4.7%2.6%1.7%
Nov 202535.2%31.8%20.9%2.3%4.8%2.8%2.3%
Dec 202533.3%38.8%17.1%1.2%4.6%2.8%2.2%
Jan 202633.5%36%18.6%1.1%6.2%2.6%2.1%
Feb 202633.9%33.3%17.4%3.6%7%2.9%1.9%
Mar 202633.3%26.7%17.6%11.7%6.8%2.3%1.5%
Apr 202635.3%27.5%14.2%11.9%7.1%2.4%1.6%
May 202632.9%28.6%14.7%10.1%9.5%2.5%1.6%
Jun 202632.9%28.1%14.7%10%10.5%2.5%1.3%
Jul 202630.8%29.9%15.7%10.7%8.9%2.1%1.7%
Aug 202631.2%30.2%15.8%10.8%8.3%2.2%1.4%
Sep 202631.4%30.5%16%10.9%7.3%2.2%1.8%

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

3 findings
  • Windcave was ahead of Square in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Square’s share of searches among POS terminal brands in New Zealand moved from 4.7% to 7.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 570 to 870.
  • 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
  1. In September 2026, Square lost share of searches among POS terminal brands in New Zealand, from 8.3% to 7.3%.

  2. 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.

How are branded searches counted?

10 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Square’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.

Square

8 branded search terms

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

Windcave

2 branded search terms

  • windcave
  • windcave ltd

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among POS terminal brands

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