Leading Australian fintech Zeller is ramping up competition in the payments market, launching a new all-in-one POS and payment terminal to undercut incumbents Square and Tyro, and save the average business up to $2,000 annually on payments hardware and POS software fees at a time when merchants are struggling under mounting financial pressure.
The new Zeller Terminal 1x (T1x) combines payments and point-of-sale (POS) into a single device — priced at a low one-time price of $199 with no ongoing monthly software or hardware fees — positioning it as one of the most affordable end-to-end checkout solutions in Australia.
“The Australian payments landscape has become more complex than it needs to be. Businesses are often forced into ecosystems with ongoing fees and limited flexibility. We built Zeller T1x to challenge that — giving merchants a simple, affordable alternative that works out of the box, integrates with the systems they already use, and enables them to run more efficiently” said Ben Pfisterer, Zeller CEO and co-founder.
The launch comes as Australian SMEs continue to grapple with rising operating costs, from fuel and wages to software subscriptions.
Zeller T1x targets the “hidden costs” of getting paid
Zeller is betting that cost-conscious businesses are looking beyond transaction fees, focusing on lowering the broader cost base. By bundling free, built-in POS software into the terminal, Zeller T1x eliminates the need for third-party POS systems that costs the average small business over $1,800 annually on fees alone.
For merchants, that means the end of recurring subscription fees, the need for separate hardware, and complex POS integrations. The result is a simplified, lower-cost setup at a time when every expense line is under pressure.
“Every dollar matters for small businesses right now. What we’re hearing from Zeller’s 100,000+ customers nationally is that it’s not just transaction fees — it’s the stack of ongoing costs that add up.” commented Pfisterer. “T1x strips all of that back. By combining payments and POS into one device with no ongoing POS software fees, we’re helping businesses reduce overheads and keep more of what they earn.”
A play for mobile and micro businesses
Zeller T1x is designed for the 2 million Australian businesses selling face-to-face, a segment dominated by sole traders and micro operators from tradies to market sellers, hospitality operators, and service providers. With new research from COSBOA reporting that 72% of small businesses cite rising fuel, insurance and wage costs as their biggest growth barriers, Zeller T1x helps ease the pressure by eliminating the need for separate POS software and third-party providers — bringing everything together in one affordable solution.
Premium payment terminals, without the premium price tag
Beyond pricing, Zeller also continues its hardware-led differentiation strategy. It builds upon its success with the 2024 release of Zeller Terminal 2 which went on to become the world’s most award-winning payment terminal after being recognised for a 2025 Australian Good Design Award, and both a WeMoney Merchant Terminal of the Year and Merchant Payment Provider of the Year Award.
T1x is an upgrade to the original Zeller Terminal 1 which redefined payment terminals in the Australian market with seamless POS integrations, large format colour screen, and advanced functionality to streamline the modern checkout.
Key features of Zeller T1x include:
- 6.7-inch HD touchscreen, the largest of any payment terminal on the market
- Improved durability for high-volume usage
- Built-in thermal receipt printer
- Digital receipts via SMS, email, or QR code
- Long-life battery enabling over 1,000 transactions on a single charge
- Zeller’s industry-leading payments uptime
- Wi-Fi, SIM and Ethernet connectivity, supporting both fixed and mobile selling
The upgraded design reflects a shift toward more versatile, multi-functional devices.
Open ecosystem vs closed platforms
Unlike competitors which steer merchants into proprietary ecosystems, Zeller is also emphasising flexibility by delivering seamless integrations with systems that merchants already use in their business.
Zeller T1x integrates with over 600 third-party POS systems and a range of self-service kiosk checkout solutions, enabling businesses to maintain their existing technology stack, switch without friction, and scale without being locked into a single platform — positioning Zeller as a more open alternative in a market where vendor lock-in has become a growing concern for scaling businesses.
Timing aligned with SME pressure
The launch lands at a critical moment for Australia’s small business sector, with cost-of-living pressures flowing through to both consumers and operators. As margins tighten, reducing fixed costs — particularly recurring software and hardware expenses — has become a priority.
Zeller’s bet is that simplifying payments into a single, low-cost device with no ongoing POS fees will resonate with businesses looking to streamline operations and protect margins.
Zeller Terminal 1x is available now online from Zeller or Amazon for $199.