Brandwave

Paystation vs Square:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Square had more branded searches than Paystation among payment processors in New Zealand. Square had about 490 branded searches, while Paystation had 390. Square made up 0.86% of all payment processor searches we track, and Paystation accounted for 0.69%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about payment processors, Square appeared in three of the five answers and Paystation in two. Square was mentioned before Paystation in three out of five answers.

Among payment processors in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Square, about 26% more searches than Paystation

Square 490 searchesPaystation 390 searches

Who does AI mention more?

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

Square in 3 of 5Paystation in 2 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Square, named ahead of Paystation in 3 of 5 answers

Square first in 3Paystation first in 2

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Top payment processors in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Square was mentioned in three out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Paystation was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Square was listed before Paystation in three out of five answers.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Stripe1st
  2. Windcave2nd
  3. PayPal3rd
  4. Square3rd
  5. Paystation5th
  6. Airwallex6th
  7. Shopify POS6th
  8. Adyen8th
  9. Revolut–
  10. GoCardless–
  11. +5 more

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Stripe5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • PayPal3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Windcave3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Square3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Shopify POS3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Paystation2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Adyen2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Airwallex1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Revolut0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • GoCardless0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

+5 more

See every answer about payment processors

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 19, 2026.

Is Paystation or Square more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Paystation and Square by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 15 payment processors we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

Paystation and Square among payment processors in New Zealand, by month

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

View monthly share of searches table
MonthPayPalRevolutWindcaveAirwallexGoCardlessStripeWorldlineWiseSquareMollieBraintreePaystationAdyenShopify POSCheckout.com
Oct 202568.1%11.1%7.2%3.1%2.7%1.2%2.2%0.7%0.71%0.78%0.53%0.63%0.52%0.52%0.02%
Nov 202567.3%13.4%5.9%3.1%2.2%1.2%2.1%0.76%0.74%0.77%0.79%0.77%0.51%0.51%0.02%
Dec 202567.3%13.4%5.8%4.7%2.2%0.95%1.9%0.64%0.56%0.77%0.53%0.51%0.42%0.42%0.02%
Jan 202665.6%15.9%5.7%3%2.6%1.1%1.8%0.73%0.79%0.92%0.53%0.5%0.4%0.5%0.02%
Feb 202667.2%13.4%5.8%3%2.7%1.4%2.1%0.69%0.69%0.63%0.53%0.63%0.51%0.63%0.02%
Mar 202663.2%15.4%5.5%4.4%3%1.1%2.6%0.89%0.74%0.73%0.6%0.73%0.48%0.59%0.02%
Apr 202666.7%13.4%5.9%3.8%2.2%1.1%2.6%0.81%0.75%0.62%0.52%0.62%0.51%0.41%0.02%
May 202666.5%13.4%5.9%3.8%2.7%1.1%2%0.78%0.75%0.76%0.65%0.62%0.51%0.51%0.02%
Jun 202663.6%15.6%5.5%4.4%2.6%1.5%2%0.88%0.79%0.73%0.92%0.59%0.48%0.48%0.02%
Jul 202664.9%16.4%5.6%3.7%2.6%1.1%1.4%0.81%0.69%0.74%0.63%0.6%0.4%0.4%0.02%
Aug 202662.7%15.8%6.6%4.3%3%1.3%1.3%0.99%1%0.7%0.6%0.7%0.47%0.38%0.02%
Sep 202661.1%18.5%6.4%4.2%2.5%1.3%1.2%0.9%0.86%0.85%0.74%0.69%0.46%0.3%0.02%

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

3 findings
  • The lead changed hands 2 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: Paystation took it in November 2025, Square took it in December 2025.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Paystation’s share of searches among payment processors in New Zealand moved from 0.63% to 0.69%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 390.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Square’s share of searches among payment processors in New Zealand moved from 0.71% to 0.86%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 440 to 490.

How did search popularity change for New Zealand payment processors in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, Paystation fell from 11th to 12th among payment processors in New Zealand.

  2. In September 2026, Square fell from 8th to 9th among payment processors in New Zealand.

How are branded searches counted?

8 search terms

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

Paystation

1 branded search term

  • paystation

Square

7 branded search terms

  • square appointments
  • square it
  • square payment
  • square payment processor
  • square reader
  • square restaurant
  • square space site

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among payment processors

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