Computation of Net Income Per Common Share (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands |
3 Months Ended | |
|---|---|---|
Jan. 31, 2017 |
Jan. 31, 2016 |
|
| Earnings Per Share [Abstract] | ||
| Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount | 8,000 | 3,400 |
| Net income (loss) attributable to VeriFone Systems, Inc. stockholders | $ (16,623) | $ 23,501 |
| Weighted average shares attributable to VeriFone Systems, Inc. stockholders - basic | 111,388 | 111,266 |
| Weighted average effect of dilutive stock options, RSUs and RSAs | 0 | 1,085 |
| Weighted average shares attributable to VeriFone Systems, Inc. stockholders - diluted | 111,388 | 112,351 |
| Basic | $ (0.15) | $ 0.21 |
| Diluted | $ (0.15) | $ 0.21 |
| Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares | 2,600 | |
| Treasury Stock Acquired, Average Cost Per Share | $ 28.02 | |