The Tyro Blog

6 May 2024 - 7 min read

EFTPOS Education

Make the right call: What are the advantages of a standalone EFTPOS solution?

In the dynamic landscape of small to medium-sized Aussie businesses, selecting the right payment solution holds immense significance. Let’s dive into the critical factors that position standalone EFTPOS solutions as a savvy choice over bundled alternatives.

Importance of selecting the right payment solution for your business

For businesses in the lively realms of hospitality or retail down under, making the right choice in payment solutions can be a game-changer. The decision between a standalone EFTPOS solution, mobile EFTPOS machine such as Tyro Pro, or a portable EFTPOS card reader such as Tyro Go and a bundled EFTPOS-POS combo resonates deeply, impacting the daily ebb and flow of operations, the overall customer experience, and the trajectory of business growth.

Differences between standalone and bundled EFTPOS solutions

Before we unravel the merits of standalone EFTPOS, it’s crucial to grasp the basics. A standalone EFTPOS operates independently, standing alone in its functionality, while a bundled solution intertwines EFTPOS and Point of Sale (POS) features.

Three Core Advantages of Standalone EFTPOS Solutions
  • 1. Customisation for business alignment

Tailoring your payment solutions to sync seamlessly with your Aussie business needs is not just a perk but a necessity for optimal efficiency. The unique advantage of standalone EFTPOS lies in its flexibility, offering you the freedom to cherry-pick products that align perfectly with the specific requirements of your business. This customisation transforms your payment system from a mere necessity into a strategic asset contributing to the triumph of your Aussie enterprise.

  • 2. Unmatched flexibility for seamless transactions

Unlike bundled solutions, standalone EFTPOS offers an unparalleled degree of flexibility. Aussie businesses using bundled solutions may grapple with adapting to evolving needs or addressing discontentment with transaction fees and services. In contrast, standalone EFTPOS using a mobile card machine provides a flexible and adaptable solution, ensuring transactions flow seamlessly. This flexibility empowers your business to navigate the dynamic landscape without being trapped by rigid bundled structures.

  • 3. Scalability to accommodate business growth

In the thriving world of Aussie enterprises, growth is not just a possibility; it’s an expectation. Standalone EFTPOS solutions bring a crucial advantage to the table – scalability. As your business expands its horizons, so do its demands. A standalone EFTPOS solution grows organically with your business, ensuring that your payment system remains robust and accommodating. This is particularly vital because businesses may inevitably outgrow the capabilities of a full POS system or EFTPOS, and transitioning from a less scalable solution can present challenges. Choosing a EFTPOS solution positions your business for growth, ensuring that your payment infrastructure effortlessly accommodates the upward trajectory of your Aussie operations.

Three Key Considerations for Standalone EFTPOS Solutions

While standalone EFTPOS solutions boast significant advantages, it’s prudent to consider potential drawbacks before making a decision for your business.

  • 1. Potential integration challenges

Standalone EFTPOS solutions, while offering independence, may pose integration challenges with other systems, particularly with Point of Sale (POS) systems. Aussie businesses seeking a seamless and integrated experience must carefully assess the compatibility and integration capabilities before opting for a standalone solution. 

When it comes to Tyro’s POS integration, the process is designed to be straightforward and efficient. Tyro seamlessly integrates with various POS systems, ensuring a smooth flow of information between your payment processing and point of sale operations. This integration eliminates the potential challenges mentioned earlier, providing businesses with a unified and cohesive solution for their EFTPOS and POS needs. Tyro’s commitment to compatibility ensures that your payment system not only operates independently but also collaboratively with your existing POS infrastructure, offering you a streamlined and integrated experience.

  • 2. Increased management complexity

The nature of standalone EFTPOS solutions demands separate management and maintenance. Unlike bundled options where EFTPOS and POS functionalities harmoniously coexist under one umbrella, standalone solutions require additional attention and resources. This can lead to increased complexity in terms of system updates, troubleshooting, and overall system management. Aussie businesses need to weigh the benefits against potential complexities and evaluate their capacity for managing a more decentralised system effectively.

  • 3. Limited all-in-one features

While standalone EFTPOS solutions excel in payment processing, they may lack certain all-in-one features that a business will often find valuable. Bundled EFTPOS-POS solutions, commonly providing a comprehensive set of features working seamlessly together, may be perceived as more cohesive for various business operations. Aussie businesses opting for standalone EFTPOS should be aware of this limitation, considering the potential need for additional investments in separate systems or applications to fulfil requirements beyond basic payment processing.

Making an informed decision

As Australian businesses evaluate standalone EFTPOS solutions, a comprehensive understanding of the advantages and considerations is paramount. Balancing the bespoke advantages with potential challenges enables businesses to make an informed decision that aligns seamlessly with their unique needs and future aspirations.

Three pros of bundled EFTPOS options in Australia

  • 1. Simplified integration

Bundled EFTPOS options in Australia often boast seamless integration between EFTPOS and Point of Sale (POS) systems. This simplifies the setup process, ensuring that both systems work in harmony without the need to navigate potential compatibility issues.

  • 2. Comprehensive all-in-one solution

Opting for a bundled EFTPOS solution provides businesses with a comprehensive, all-in-one package. These systems typically offer a spectrum of features beyond mere payment processing, including inventory management, robust reporting, and insightful customer analytics. Having all these functionalities seamlessly integrated into one cohesive package enhances operational efficiency for Aussie businesses.

  • 3. Easier maintenance and support

A significant advantage of bundled EFTPOS solutions in Australia is the streamlined maintenance and support process. Aussie businesses using a bundled solution benefit from a single point of contact for maintenance and support. Instead of juggling communications with separate providers for EFTPOS machines and POS services, Aussie businesses can enjoy simplified processes, leading to quicker issue resolution and overall smoother operations.

Three cons of bundled EFTPOS options in Australia

  • 1. Limited customisation

A potential drawback of bundled EFTPOS options lies in their limited customisation. Aussie businesses with unique needs may find it challenging to tailor the bundled solution to align precisely with their specific requirements. This lack of flexibility could lead to compromises on certain features or functionalities essential for individual business operations.

  • 2. Higher costs for unwanted features

Bundled EFTPOS solutions in Australia often come with a set of features that Aussie businesses may not necessarily need. Paying for unnecessary functionalities can result in higher overall costs, especially for businesses on a budget or those with specific requirements. This lack of flexibility in choosing only essential features may be a significant drawback for Aussie businesses seeking cost-effective solutions.

  • 3. Dependency on a single vendor

Choosing a bundled EFTPOS solution means placing reliance on a single vendor for both EFTPOS and POS services. In the event of issues with the bundled system or if the vendor experiences downtime, the impact can ripple across multiple aspects of businesses simultaneously. This dependency introduces a level of risk that Aussie businesses should carefully consider before committing to a bundled solution.

Explore Tyro’s EFTPOS for a tailored, flexible, and scalable solution

If you’re running a medium or small business in the hospitality or retail sector, the advantages of a standalone EFTPOS machine are clear. If you’re in search of a payment solution that can be customised to align precisely with your unique business needs, offering unmatched flexibility and scalability, it’s worthwhile to explore Tyro’s EFTPOS. Make the right call for your Aussie business, empowering it with a payment solution that seamlessly aligns with your goals.



Frequently asked questions


Is Tyro’s EFTPOS solution flexible for businesses?

Yes, Tyro’s EFTPOS solution offers exceptional flexibility. There are no lock-in contracts, ensuring businesses are never tied down. Plus, there are no long-term commitments or hidden fees, giving you the freedom to adapt your payment solutions as needed.

Are there any upfront costs or joining fees with Tyro? 

No, signing up with Tyro is easy and free. There are no joining fees, making it a straightforward process to get started with their EFTPOS solution.

What if I decide to switch from Tyro? Are there any cancel or break fees?

Tyro understands that business needs can change. That’s why there are no cancel or break fees, ensuring a smooth transition if you decide to leave Tyro. You won’t encounter any unpleasant surprises.

How does Tyro handle fees, and are there any hidden costs?

Tyro maintains a transparent fee model. The fees include transaction charges, monthly rental fees, and potential one-time setup costs. There are no hidden fees, allowing businesses to budget effectively and ensure a seamless payment experience.

Can you explain the transaction charges associated with card payments made with Tyro’s EFTPOS solution?

Transaction charges with Tyro represent a small percentage of each transaction processed through the EFTPOS system. This fair and proportional pricing model allows businesses to align their costs with their transaction volume.

What does Tyro offer in terms of fee reduction for debit card transactions?

Tyro’s least-cost routing feature, Tap & Save *, reduces payment fees for Tap & Go debit and credit card machine transactions. * It automatically finds lower-cost ways for businesses to process eligible transactions through the cheapest network.

Tell me more about Tyro’s No Cost EFTPOS. How does it work? 

Tyro’s No Cost EFTPOS, a version of No Fee EFTPOS or often known as a zero-cost eftpos solution, helps businesses recover EFTPOS fees through surcharging. ^

By applying automated surcharges to a customer’s purchase, businesses can recoup transaction fees, EFTPOS machine rental charges, and paper. ^ In contrast, traditional EFTPOS involves businesses incurring transaction fees based on a percentage, and they receive a monthly bill that may encompass supplementary costs like terminal machine rentals or paper roll expenses. 

Tyro’s No Cost EFTPOS is applied when transacting more than $10,000 per month. § If you transact less than $10,000 in a calendar month, you will be charged a monthly rental fee per Tyro Pro machine you have on that MID.