Tagcharity retail software New Zealand

The best POS software for a charity or op shop is built for volunteers, donated stock and accountability. It should be easy to learn on a first shift, lock sensitive areas to management, sell donations by department or price point, show the committee where every dollar went, and list valuable donations online. It should be backed by local support, with no transaction fees. The checklist below sets out what to compare.

Op shops run differently from almost any other retailer. No two donations are the same. The counter may be run by someone on their first shift, and the committee needs to know exactly where the money went. A basic till can take the payment, but it usually can’t do the rest.

Charity shops, op shops and community enterprises have helped us build the charity shop features in our software, which we’ve been developing for independent specialty retailers since 1981. The checklist is useful whichever system you choose.

Starting simple

If a small op shop opens two days a week, sells everything at a few set prices and banks the takings weekly, a simple till may be enough.

Things change once you have a roster of volunteers, more than one shop, high-value donations, or a committee and auditors who need reports. A simple till leaves accountability to paper and trust. That puts the funds, and the volunteers, at risk.

The ten features that matter in charity shop POS software

1. Be learnable on the first shift. The counter should be simple enough for a new volunteer after a single handover. Ask to see a sale made by someone who has never used the system.
2. Record your own training videos. Short videos of your shop’s own procedures stay available for the next volunteer, so the way things are done stays consistent.
3. Lock sensitive areas. Administration, refunds and reports should be locked to management, while volunteers process sales.
4. Build in checks and balances. Guided processes and tracking tools protect the funds and the trust of donors. They also protect volunteers from suspicion they can’t clear.
5. Sell donations by department or price point. A bag of paperbacks doesn’t need itemising. Stock should sell by department, price point, product code or barcode, so goods reach the floor the day they arrive.
6. Track high-value items on their own. A single valuable piece should be tracked individually, while broad departments such as ladies’ clothing still report as departments.
7. List the best donations online. Some donations are worth more online. Look for Shopify, Magento or WooCommerce integration, with AI to write the description quickly.
8. Reward shoppers in dollars. Points ask shoppers to do sums. A receipt showing a dollar amount to save on the next visit is easier to understand.
9. Report to the committee. Takings by shop, department and day should be easy to run, so the committee and auditors see a clear picture.
10. Run on site or in the cloud. Some shops have reliable internet and some do not. Check that the system can run either way.

Comparing total cost

Compare what you’d pay over two years in total. Include:

• Transaction fees. A transaction fee on every card sale is common with some providers. For a charity, that is money taken from the cause.
• Fees per terminal. A second counter shouldn’t bring a bigger invoice.
• Confirm phone support is part of the plan, and check its hours, including Saturdays, when many op shops are busiest.
• Add-ons. Online selling, loyalty, extra users and accounting links are sometimes extra.
• Lock-in contracts make mistakes expensive to fix.

Tower Systems charges no transaction fees, has no lock-in contract and lets you choose your own EFTPOS provider. Registered charities and community enterprises pay half price on the Standard, Advanced and Ultimate plans. On pricing for Tower Systems, the Startup plan is not discounted. As at 2 November 2026, full-price plans start at $145 a month including GST, billed annually. For current prices and plan features, see our pricing page.

Your demonstration checklist

These questions will tell you more in a demonstration than any feature list:

1. Show me a new volunteer making a sale after five minutes of training.
2. Show me which areas a volunteer can’t open.
3. Show me a bag of paperbacks sold by department.
4. Show me a high-value donation tracked on its own and listed online.
5. Show me the report I would give the committee each month.
6. What will support cost me, and is someone there on Saturdays?
7. Is your support team in Australia or New Zealand?
8. How do I reach a person when I need one?
9. Who will train us, and where are they located?
10. Is there a charity shop I can talk to who uses your system?

Switching without unsettling volunteers

For most committees, the real decision is not the feature list but the changeover. Volunteers need to feel confident on day one. Three things make it go well.

• Before you decide, get your current data reviewed so you know what will carry over. Tower Systems’ data conversion service, streamlined in mid 2026 using what we’ve learned from many conversions, is fast and accurate.
• Choose the timing. Avoid the weeks before Christmas and any major appeal, and give volunteers a chance to practise first.
• Plan the training. With one-on-one sessions and videos available at any hour, staff go into the first busy weekend with confidence.

Australia and New Zealand

Charity rules and reporting differ between Australia and New Zealand. Check that the software handles GST correctly for your country and gives you the reports your board needs. Tower Systems supports charity shops and community enterprises across both countries. Help desk staff work from Australia and New Zealand, six days a week, and there’s after-hours help when a system is down.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best POS software for a charity or op shop in Australia?

It’s software built for volunteers and accountability: easy to learn, locked sensitive areas, donations sold by department or price point, clear committee reports and online listing for valuable items. Weigh those needs against the two-year cost and the quality of local support.

Do charities get a discount on POS software?

Some providers offer one. Tower Systems charges registered charities and community enterprises half price on the Standard, Advanced and Ultimate plans. The Startup plan is not discounted.

Is there charity shop POS software for New Zealand?

Yes. Tower Systems serves charity shops and community enterprises in both countries, with help desk staff in New Zealand and Australia. New Zealand customers can reach sales on 0800 444 367.

What does charity shop POS software cost?

Prices differ widely. Add up transaction fees, terminal fees, support and add-ons to compare the real cost. As at 2 November 2026, a Tower Systems plan starts at $145 a month including GST, billed annually, and there are no transaction fees or lock-in contracts. Registered charities pay half price on Standard and above.

Book a charity shop demonstration

Book a demo. Your demonstration will show Tower Systems set up for a charity or op shop like yours. We’ll take your questions and record the session so you can revisit it. We begin with questions about your business. If our software falls short on any need you mention, we’ll tell you straight. To book, call 1300 662 957 in Australia or 0800 444 367 in New Zealand, or email sales@towersystems.com.au.