Tyro vs Square: differences in EFTPOS, payouts and software prevail

Card machines more comparable than previously

Historically, Tyro and Square have taken vastly different approaches to EFTPOS machines.

Square has only ever sold its own, reliable and uniquely designed EFTPOS terminals. In contrast, up until recently, Tyro still offered rentals of legacy machines they called Countertop and Mobile. After some serious EFTPOS outages, they’ve finally upgraded to modern models.

Tyro’s card machines

The Tyro Pro series is the company’s range of two EFTPOS terminal that’s suitable for nearly any environment.

With their WiFi, Ethernet and mobile connectivity (SIM included), they work at the checkout with your chosen POS system, wirelessly on fixed premises or on the go wherever you do business.

The most cutting-edge model, Tyro Pro Touch, is actually an Ingenico Axium DX8000 terminal, which we’ve tested.

We found it to be a good quality, high-performance card machine with a high-definition touchscreen that works well both outside and inside. Card payments are processed promptly on it, and the PIN entry interface is easy to navigate and big enough for large fingers – but the terminal is also relatively large.

But not all will like a 100% touchscreen interface, so Tyro recently launched Pro Key, which is another Ingenico model (Axium DX6000). Its physical push-buttons make it easier to enter a PIN if you’re blind, and some people just like the feel of buttons. Yet it still has a touchscreen above the keypad with a graphic display.

Then there’s Tyro Go ($39 + GST), a square-shaped card reader that connects with a phone to take payments through a basic app. Clearly inspired by Square Reader (more on that below), it’s a cheaper and very portable way to accept contactless and chip card payments.

Square’s EFTPOS machines

How does Square compare? Well, Square Reader ($65 incl. GST) was the first of its kind globally, a minimal card reader with a tiny footprint. It doesn’t have a screen and must be used with a phone or tablet app.

Square also sells Terminal ($329 incl. GST) and Handheld ($349 incl. GST) – both standalone units with a touchscreen and built-in POS software.

They only work with WiFi (or an internet cable in Square Terminal’s case), not mobile networks on the go, but excel as portable, self-sufficient checkouts for table service, floor areas and anywhere with secured WiFi.

Compared with the Tyro Pro machines, we prefer Square Handheld and Terminal for their frequently-updated software and offline mode for consistent reliability. We constantly witness the platform evolving with new features as well, improving the checkout experience and options for selling.

Handheld is worth considering for retailers, as its barcode scanner makes it really convenient for shop floor selling, mobile pop-ups and impromptu price checks. Though it lacks a receipt printer (present in Terminal), it fits in your pocket like a big-screened smartphone.

Then you have Square Register ($1,099 with GST), a large touchscreen register that only uses Square POS software (general and specialised). It has a touchscreen card terminal that attaches to its front or detaches if you want to place it closer to the customer.

Square Stand and Kiosk similarly have built-in chip and contactless card readers, but require an iPad for the POS software.

Accepted cards

Square accepts a variety of cards (Visa, Mastercard, eftpos, American Express, JCB), electronic gift cards, Afterpay, Apple Pay and Google Pay. Tyro accepts most of these payment options too, as well as UnionPay and Diners Club – but no Buy Now, Pay Later options like Afterpay.

It’s worth noting that to accept some of the major international credit cards with Tyro, you will require external contracts with those card providers.

Fees: Tyro gradually getting simpler like Square

There used to be quite a big difference in how these two businesses operate.

Square has consistently had no lock-in contracts or monthly fees for its customers. Tyro, on the other hand, still charges rental fees for its main terminals, but now offers fewer additional fees and one card reader to purchase.

Tyro and Square pricing:

Tyro’s monthly fee for Pro EFTPOS is balanced out by a lower transaction fee (1.4%) than Square’s (1.6%).

If the monthly EFTPOS turnover exceeds $20k, merchants can get lower, custom rates from Tyro that depend on the type of card accepted. Square has a similar deal where businesses accepting more than $250k annually can negotiate lower fees.

Tyro also charges less than Square where details need to be keyed in: a base transaction fee in line with the EFTPOS rates plus an additional 0.15% per transaction. That being said, Tyro adds a 0.4% fee for transactions with a foreign card plus a further 0.4% if currency conversion was applied.

In the long run, these small percentages could play a big role in determining which will save you more money.

What about surcharging?

Square lets you automatically switch it on at weekends to recoup higher staff wages then, apart from having it on all the time. Tyro’s “No Cost EFTPOS” plan comes with surcharging, but only for Pro terminals transacting over $10k monthly.

And beware: the Australian government intends to prohibit surcharging in the near future, so choose the option with the best fees for you.

Free bank account vs instant transfers

Tyro offers its own, free bank account where EFTPOS funds from the same day are deposited every evening, 7 days a week. Funds that stay in the account gather interest that rises according to how long it stays in the account – not bad, considering Square has no such account.

But Square has a different attraction: instant transfers to your choice of bank account for an additional fee of 1.5%. Otherwise, the free settlement processes funds to your bank account the next day, weekends included.

POS systems very adaptable

If you’re looking for industry-specific integrations, both Tyro and Square excel.

Tyro’s many integrations

As the more established brand in Australia’s EFTPOS industry, Tyro integrates with over 450 point of sale (POS) and practice management system (PMS) systems.

From hospitality and retail to mobile taxi terminals, Tyro has a lot of choice when it comes to point of sale integrations – with the Pro terminal. The Go card reader only connects with the Tyro Go App on iOS or Android devices.

Tyro also offers an integrations hub allowing restaurants to use their favourite apps to manage food ordering, bookings and menu management.

Square’s own software caters to specialties

Coming from a different angle, Square doesn’t require external software to access competent, industry-specific POS systems.

Its user-friendly free app, Square Point of Sale, has an all-round selection of general POS features on any mobile device. There are also industry-specific POS systems (free and paid) helping businesses zero in on specific needs:

With any of these, merchants can keep track of all payments, items, inventory, analytics and ecommerce stats in the same account.

No shortage of ways to sell online

Both Tyro and Square allow customers to make transactions online, but as far as well-rounded ecommerce solutions go, Square leaves Tyro in the dust.

The dedicated website builder Square Online acts as the hub for your online business. This is something Tyro does not have – instead, it has an online payment gateway that’s basically a checkout integrated in your existing online store. Only recently did they add payment links too, but only from a web browser.

Square’s pay-by-link solution, in contrast, is super-versatile. It allows you to define a product or service with a fixed price and generate a payment link for it. You can embed this as a button on a website, print a QR code and send the URL for a remote payment. Even donation links can be created for customers to donate any amount.

Remote payment methods of Tyro and Square:

Square also has the edge again when it comes to a smooth experience, because all the different payment methods are integrated so you can monitor payments in a web browser or app.

In a similar vein, Tyro has an eCommerce Portal, but this is separate from the Tyro Portal for EFTPOS reporting.

To send an email invoice, Tyro requires a trip to the eCommerce Portal to access eInvoices in PDF form. Here, merchants can set up recurring payments with saved billing information from customers.

Square allows you to log into either Square Dashboard, the Point of Sale app or Invoices app to send one-off or recurring email invoices – quite a few options.

If you need to accept payments via phone, Tyro and Square can manage that too. Square’s virtual terminal comes as standard with your account, while Tyro accepts mail orders and telephone orders (MOTO) upon approval.

Mixed reviews and service

Tyro has a 24/7 Australia-based support team. Their primary form of contact is via the website’s contact form, and they suggest that this be used for non-urgent matters. For those situations where things are a little more pressing, you can call them.

Tyro customers hoping to resolve problems on the resources page will find the knowledge a little vague and unhelpful. This is reflected in the company’s mixed Trustpilot reviews.

There, many users have complained of not hearing back from form submissions for over a week, if at all. Couple this with extremely long wait times on the phone, and it seems as though Tyro has some issues in the support department. Sometimes, their mobile apps also cause issues when updates are enforced.

Square’s support staff can be contacted via phone or email during the regular business hours of 9 AM – 5 PM, Monday to Friday. Unfortunately, there is no weekend or evening support, meaning you’re all on your own if something goes awry during the busy weekend rush.

Like Tyro, Square has an online Help Centre with frequently asked questions. And as a large international company, customers have access to a global network of people using the same technology, so finding the right answers is a little simpler than with Tyro.

On Trustpilot, Square mostly has positive ratings with some complaints about frozen accounts, poor support and a few usability issues with the interface. Our own experience of the software has always been easy, but we see how finding certain functions can get lost in the overwhelm of features in the backend Dashboard.

Our verdict on Tyro or Square: lots to like

Tyro is certainly a viable choice for brick and mortar stores who much prefer an Australian company to an American fintech brand. With its latest EFTPOS terminals and banking features, it acts as a solid step in the right direction towards more modern payment options.

It’s a portable and robust system that makes light work of tedious tasks such as reconciliation and reporting, meaning you won’t be spending as much time keeping track of settlements. And its POS integrations are beyond extensive.

Unfortunately, with no real POS apps or website builders to speak of, there are definitely much better choices if you are running an online business.

Square offers incredible value for money when it comes to hardware, apps and online payments. With no contracts or ongoing fees, it’s a no-brainer for any budget-conscious retailer looking to add a dynamic touch to their POS processes.

“Square has really left its mark in the online payments landscape and has now stepped it up even further with its ever-growing line-up of card terminals and registers.”

– Emily Sorensen, Senior Editor, Mobile Transaction

If for any reason any of that goes wrong, the support offered by Square in Australia is generally satisfactory, certainly with the extensive help section. Support might not be offered during non-business hours, but when they help, they actually help.

If you need your cash settled quickly, Square is also superior with its instant settlement option (for a fee). However, Tyro’s same-day transfers in their dedicated bank account may appeal to those who can’t pay extra for faster payouts.

At the end of the day, if your business is looking for an all-inclusive POS system that is following advancing technological trends fast, and all with no contracts or lots of free extras, then it’s hard to beat Square.