Answers the phone and books
Square has no AI receptionist. Mahi Time's phone receptionist and webchat book live into your calendar for NZ$129 (approx A$119) and NZ$49 (approx A$45) a month.
How the AI receptionist works
Mahi Time vs Square Appointments
Australia
The Square Appointments alternative with the AI receptionist built in
Square Appointments is a good free calendar if you already run Square payments in Australia. It is not available to New Zealand businesses at all. Mahi Time runs in both countries, bills a flat fee instead of per-location tiers, and includes the AI phone receptionist, webchat and agent API as part of the product.
Who Square Appointments is right for
Square Appointments suits a single-location Australian business that already uses Square hardware, wants a free calendar, and does not need payroll, Xero sync or an AI receptionist.
Where Square Appointments is strong
- Free plan with unlimited staff calendars at one location.
- Tight integration with Square card readers and Tap to Pay.
- Competitive in-person card rates in Australia.
- Familiar point of sale for retail-heavy shops.
Where Mahi Time wins
AI first, because it is the gap none of the incumbents have closed. Then price, then the local details.
One flat fee, not per-location tiers
Square moves Google Calendar sync, waitlists, processing time and resources onto Plus (A$40) and Premium (A$90) per location. Mahi Time includes all of it at NZ$109 (approx A$100) with unlimited locations.
Works in New Zealand and Australia
Square Appointments is not offered to NZ businesses. Mahi Time is built in NZ, supports Windcave EFTPOS here and Stripe in both countries.
Xero, payroll, API and MCP included
Sales and GST post to Xero, staff hours feed payroll, and your own tools and AI agents can drive the platform through the REST API and MCP server.
Pricing, side by side
Square Appointments
Australia: Free (one location), Plus A$40 per location per month, Premium A$90 per location per month. Card processing 1.6% in person, 2.2% online. Not available in New Zealand.
Mahi Time
NZ$109 (approx A$100) for the first 2 team members, NZ$21 (approx A$19) per extra member. No commission, no per-booking fee.
AI phone receptionist NZ$129 (approx A$119), AI webchat NZ$49 (approx A$45). 21-day free trial, no card.
Worked example: Two locations, three staff, Google Calendar sync and resources
- Square Appointments Premium: 2 x A$90 = A$180 per month, no AI receptionist, no payroll, no Xero sync.
- Mahi Time: NZ$130 (approx A$120) per month, both locations included. With the AI phone receptionist: NZ$259 (approx A$238).
Square prices from squareup.com/au/en/appointments, checked 31 October 2026.
Square Appointments prices checked 31 October 2026 on the vendor's public pricing page. Mahi Time prices exclude GST; AUD figures are an approximate guide, billing is in NZD.
Mahi Time vs Square Appointments, side by side
| Feature | Mahi Time | Square Appointments |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Published. NZ$109 (approx A$100) flat | Free, A$40 or A$90 per location (AU only) |
| Commission on bookings | None, ever | None |
| AI phone receptionist that books | Built in, NZ$129 (approx A$119) | No |
| AI webchat that books | Built in, NZ$49 (approx A$45) | No |
| MCP server for AI agents | Yes, platform MCP server | No |
| Public REST API | Yes, public REST + webhooks | Square developer API |
| Built and supported in NZ and AU | Built in NZ, NZ and AU hours | US based, AU only, not in NZ |
| Xero | Included | Via third-party connector |
| Payroll and timesheets | Included | Separate Square Payroll (not AU) |
| EFTPOS and payments | Windcave EFTPOS (NZ), Stripe (NZ + AU) | Square readers only |
The detail
| Feature | Mahi Time | Square Appointments |
|---|---|---|
| Available in New Zealand | Yes | No |
| Pricing | Flat, unlimited locations | Free, A$40 or A$90 per location |
| AI phone receptionist | Built in | No |
| AI webchat that books | Built in | No |
| MCP server for AI agents | Yes | No |
| Google and Microsoft calendar sync | Included | Plus and Premium |
| Resources (chairs, rooms, bays) | Included | Premium |
| Xero | Included | Third-party connector |
| Payroll and timesheets | Included | No |
| Payments | Stripe, Windcave, or record your own terminal | Square only |
| Import from this platform | Generic CSV mapper, customers and appointment history | n/a |
See the full table against every platform on the Why Mahi Time page.
Moving from Square Appointments
Export your customer directory from Customers > Directory > Import/Export and your appointment history from Appointments > Settings > History, both as CSV. Upload them with the generic mapper; our auto-suggest matches Square's column names.
Importer source to pick: Other / generic CSV. Settings > Import data, mapping preview, unmatched staff warning, run. Re-runs update rows instead of duplicating them.
Square Appointments alternative: questions
Can I keep my Square card reader?
Yes. Record the sale in Mahi Time and take the payment on your Square terminal, exactly as you would with any standalone EFTPOS machine. Many businesses later move to Stripe or Windcave so the payment and the booking are linked automatically.
Can I import my Square customers and appointments?
Yes. Square exports both as CSV. Upload the customer file first, then the appointment history, at Settings > Import data. The guide is at /migrate/square-appointments.
Is Square Appointments available in New Zealand?
No. As at 31 October 2026 Square Appointments is offered in Australia but not to New Zealand businesses. Mahi Time runs in both countries.
What does Mahi Time cost in Australian dollars?
Billing is in NZD. NZ$109 is approximately A$100 a month at current rates, with NZ$21 (about A$19) per extra team member. Your card statement shows the converted amount.
Try it beside Square Appointments for 21 days
No card. Import your data, forward your phone to the AI receptionist, and see which one your clients prefer.
Also compare
Switching from Square Appointments in your trade