How much do self-service kiosks cost?

Ordering kiosks on the market range in price from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, and price is a factor that most businesses must consider. So, how should businesses balance the initial investment cost of an ordering kiosk against the long-term benefits it can bring? Is an ordering kiosk really worth the investment? And what is the actual cost?

When deploying an ordering kiosk, you must take into account a combination of factors, including hardware, software, after-sales service, and shipping. In this article, we’ll focus on estimating the cost breakdown of restaurant ordering kiosks.

What Are the Basic Costs of a Restaurant Ordering Kiosk?

The standard price of an ordering kiosk usually ranges from $600 to $1,500. This price range includes core features such as a built in thermal printer, camera, QR scanner and touchscreen functionality. The total cost can also vary significantly depending on the type of  self-ordering kiosk. Hardware specifications, software configuration, customization  services and after-sales support all impact

the final total cost. When accounting for these variables, the actual cost can range from $800 to $3,000.

So, how can you estimate the cost of the ordering kiosks needed for your restaurant? In the following section, we will introduce the  average cost breakdown of restaurant ordering kiosks in 2026.

Common Types of Resturant Self-Ordering Kiosks and Their Costs

What Determines the Cost of a Self-Service Kiosk?

1. Hardware Cost

Hardware accounts for a large part of the initial cost of a self-service kiosk. So, what is included in the hardware? The hardware mainly consists of the display screen, motherboard, performance, size, touch technology, product configuration, and  external devices.

Among these factors, screen size is one of the key factors affecting the price. Take an 18-inch and a 32-inch self-ordering kiosk as examples.  Due to the different screen sizes, the display panels and related materials used are also different. Therefore, the overall price of a 32-inch kiosk  is usually higher than an 18-inch model.

The motherboard and operating system are also important factors that affect the cost. In actual purchasing, the choice of operating  system mainly depends on the ordering software used by the business. If your ordering software is developed based on the Android  platform, an Android system is recommended. If the software only supports Windows systems, you will need to choose a Windows version. Compared with the Android version, a Windows self-ordering kiosk usually costs an additional $80–$110.

The installation method can also affect the product price. If the device only requires wall mounting and does not need a floor stand, the overall cost  can usually be reduced by around $80.

For external device configurations, a thermal printer, QR scanner, and IC card reader are usually standard features of a ordering kiosk. No additional payment is normally required. However, some suppliers may charge extra fees. Optional modules, such as cameras, need  to be selected based on actual needs. They usually add around $30–$50 to the purchase cost.

Software Cost

In addition to hardware, software is also an important factor that affects the cost of a self-service kiosk.  The software cost depends on whether you need custom development and the complexity of the required functions.

1. Currently, self-service kiosk software on the market mainly has two pricing models: paid and free.Basic SaaS system fees are usually charged  monthly or annually. The price ranges from $60 to $200 per kiosk. It requires a lower initial investment and is suitable for most retailers.

   
   

2. Custom POS system development costs are higher. The development cost usually ranges from $2,000 to $3,500. This option is more suitable for  chain brands and large enterprises.

In addition, VETO provides a free cloud management system without additional software subscription fees. Through this system, users can update advertising content, set split-screen displays, manage loop playback, and complete other basic device management functions.

Shipping and After-Sales Costs

Besides hardware and software costs, shipping, installation, and maintenance costs are also hidden expenses of a self-ordering kiosk. These costs are usually not directly included in the equipment quotation, but they will affect the overall project investment.

• Shipping Cost

  If you need to ship products from China, the international shipping cost is usually $200–$800 per unit. This includes product  packaging  and wooden crate costs.

• After-Sales Maintenance

  For consumer electronics products, after-sales issues are unavoidable. These may include hardware failures,

  system compatibility issues,  and equipment  maintenance. The cost of general technical support is usually around $20–$30.

VETO self-ordering kiosks provide 1–3 years of free after-sales service. If any product issues occur, we also provide one-on-one professional technical support to ensure stable long-term operation of your equipment.

Self-Service Kiosk Prices by Industry

The cost of a self-service kiosk can vary significantly depending on the industry, required functions, and customization level. Understanding the costs of kiosks in different industries can help you estimate your budget and choose the right solution for your business.

Restaurant Self-Ordering Kiosk

In chain restaurants such as KFC and McDonald’s, you can often see touchscreen retail self-ordering kiosks. Customers can complete  、ordering, payment, and other operations by themselves without communicating with staff.

To ensure order efficiency, self-ordering kiosks need to be integrated with the restaurant POS system. After customers, complete their orders on、 the kiosk,  the order information is automatically synchronized with the kitchen management system.  The kitchen can receive the order immediately and start preparing food. This creates a more efficient connection between ordering, payment, and  food preparation. According to McDonald’s public data, using self-ordering kiosks can increase order value by 20%–30%.

Restaurant Self-Ordering Kiosk Price: $430–$750

Note: This price is based on standard configuration from a direct manufacturer. It does not include shipping costs.

Information Kiosk

Freestanding information kiosks are mainly used to provide information inquiry services. They are widely used in restaurants, banks, and public  servicefacilities. They help users quickly access the information they need.

Information kiosks are mainly designed to provide menu displays for customers. Customers can use the touchscreen to check product information by  themselves. Based on your business needs, some information kiosks also support functions such as ordering and placing orders.

Information Kiosk Price: $500–$800

Fast Food Restaurants

Fast food chains, such as fried chicken and burger restaurants, usually have high customer traffic and a high order volume. Customers often place

orders during concentrated meal periods. Relying only on manual ordering can reduce efficiency and may cause long waiting times or order entry  errors during peak hours.

Therefore, many fast food brands choose to install desktop self-ordering kiosks as an additional ordering method. Desktop self-ordering kiosks

can also provide upselling features, such as add-on recommendations and combo meal suggestions based on customer preferences.  

This can help increase the order value to some extent.

Desktop Self-Ordering Kiosk Price Range: $396–$645

How to Reduce Your Self-Service Kiosk Cost

When purchasing a self-service kiosk, you need to clarify several key questions first.

1, What scenario will the self-ordering kiosk be used for? Will it be wall-mounted, floor-standing, or desktop?

2, Does the kiosk come with software that can integrate with your backend system? Is the software based on the Android or Windows platform?

3, Do you need customization services? For example, logo printing, startup logo settings, or special function options.

4, To reduce the cost of a self-service kiosk, you should first define these requirements and make proper planningn before deployment.  This can help avoid unnecessary expenses.

Purchasing directly from the manufacturer is one of the most effective ways to reduce costs. Buying from the original manufacturer can eliminate middleman costs. It can also provide customization options and professional technical support.

If you are only using kiosks for retail purposes, it is recommended to reduce unnecessary customization requirements. Choosing standard product sizesand common configurations can significantly lower the product cost. Standard hardware also provides better after-sales support

and easier maintenance. For most retailers, standard configurations are already enough to meet daily usage needs.

For businesses planning to deploy multiple devices, bulk purchasing directly from suppliers can help get more competitive prices.

Choose a free cloud management system. If your product does not include suitable software, you can choose VETO’s free cloud management system. No additional software subscription fees are required.

Are Self-Service Kiosks Worth the Investment?

For fast food restaurants such as McDonald’s, KFC, and supermarkets, Retail self-ordering kiosks are used more frequently.  According to Tillster’s

2025 Phygital Index Report, 61% of consumers want restaurants to provide more self-ordering kiosks. 71% of consumers believe that the

experience of using self-ordering kiosks is the same as or better than ordering  with staff. This is because self-service kiosks can process orders much

faster than manual service, especially in high-traffic industries.

Some ordering systems can easily handle complex order requirements, such as adding extra sauces or choosing additional side dishes. For introverted customers, self-ordering kiosks provide a more comfortable way to order because they can complete the entire ordering process

without communicating with staff. They are also suitable for elderly customers and children.

Long waiting times can make customers lose patience and affect restaurant revenue. Therefore, some restaurants and fast food chains choose to installself-ordering kiosks while still providing traditional staff service. Even if customers do not prefer self-ordering kiosks, they can still choose manual

ordering. Self-ordering kiosks are not designed to replace employees. Instead, they provide an additional service option.

Overall, self-ordering kiosks are a worthwhile investment.

1. Increase Sales

   Through personalized recommendations, self-service kiosks can increase the average order value by 10%–30%.

2. Improve Customer Experience

   During peak hours, self-service kiosks can effectively reduce customer waiting times and prevent frustration caused by long queues.

3. Reduce Labor Costs

   Self-ordering kiosks can replace some basic ordering tasks and reduce the need for employees to handle routine services.