Head to head · Fintech against a big-four bank
Zeller vs CommBank: is the bank's 0.99% the better deal?
Updated
On 1 October CommBank moved its standard flat rate from 1.10% to 0.99%. Zeller still charges 1.4%. On fees alone that is a clear win for the bank, but which CommBank device you choose, and where you bank, change the answer.
Verdict
CommBank’s Smart Mini, at 0.99% with no rental, costs less than Zeller at every volume: $2,376 a year against $3,360 at $20,000 a month. The countertop Smart terminal adds $29.50 a month and only beats Zeller above about $7,195 a month. Zeller is the better fit if you don’t want CommBank as your bank, or you want a standalone terminal on low takings.
Your numbers
The published terms
CommBank and Zeller in-person plans
| Plan | In-person rate | Monthly | Upfront | Amex | Settlement | Source | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CommBank Smart Mini | 0.99% | $0 | $59 | 0.99% covers Amex, subject to CommBank's approval | Same day, 365 days a year | CommBank Smart Mini | CommBank (opens in a new tab) |
| CommBank Smart terminal | 0.99% | $29.50 | $0 | 0.99% covers Amex, subject to CommBank's approval | Not stated on the fees page | CommBank EFTPOS fees | CommBank (opens in a new tab) |
| Zeller Terminal | 1.4% | $0 | $99 | Same 1.4% rate, no extra fee | Next business day to any bank account, free | Zeller pricing | Zeller (opens in a new tab) |
CommBank: the standard rate is now 0.99%; merchants on the 1.10% standard rate were moved to it automatically from 1 October 2026. (CommBank Smart Mini, checked )
CommBank Smart Mini: “Processing rates 0.99% per transaction. On all Mastercard, Visa, AMEX, JCB, UnionPay and eftpos transactions.” The reader costs $59 outright. (CommBank Smart Mini, checked )
Zeller: “In-person transaction fee 1.4%. For all cards, including American Express.” (Zeller pricing, checked )
Where the rental tips the balance
Fees a year at four monthly volumes
| Plan | $3,000 a month | $8,000 a month | $20,000 a month | $60,000 a month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CommBank Smart Mini | $3560.99% | $9500.99% | $2,3760.99% | $7,1280.99% |
| CommBank Smart terminal | $7101.97% | $1,3041.36% | $2,7301.14% | $7,4821.04% |
| Zeller Terminal | $5041.40% | $1,3441.40% | $3,3601.40% | $10,0801.40% |
Zeller and the Smart Mini have no monthly charge, so the 0.41-point gap is the whole story between them: $394 a year at $8,000 a month, $2,952 at $60,000.
The Smart terminal’s $29.50 rental is $354 a year. Below about $7,195 a month in card takings, that rental costs more than the lower rate saves, and Zeller’s standalone terminal is cheaper.
CommBank charges the monthly rental whether you take payments or not. (CommBank EFTPOS fees, checked )
The catch: CommBank wants your banking
If you apply online, a CommBank Business Transaction Account is required to settle your transactions. You can ask to settle to another bank by phone after the application is finalised. Online applications for 0.99% suit businesses taking up to $1,000,000 a year in card payments. (CommBank Smart Mini, checked )
That account comes with its own fees and terms, which aren’t part of this comparison. Zeller settles the next business day into any bank account you nominate and charges nothing for it, so if you bank elsewhere and want to keep it that way, the gap above is the price of that convenience.
Two smaller differences. CommBank’s 0.99% covers American Express only once CommBank approves you for it; Zeller charges Amex at 1.4% with no approval step. CommBank advertises same-day settlement on the Smart Mini, 365 days a year; Zeller pays the next business day.
CommBank’s 0.99% covers Mastercard, Visa, Amex, JCB, eftpos and UnionPay transactions; Amex and JCB are subject to approval and available to eligible customers only. (CommBank EFTPOS fees, checked )