Self-service checkouts have become a staple in British supermarkets and fast-food restaurants, unsurprisingly to cut costs on staff.
Now, there are several types of self-ordering kiosks in the UK, some affordable so even small restaurants and shops can benefit.
Common to them all is an easy software interface that all customers can understand so placing an order should be easy.
Definition
A self-service kiosk is a checkout machine with a screen that customers can use to complete orders on without the help of a cashier.
The pricier options can cost over £2,000 upfront including installation.
Simpler setups for an iPad start from £99, but of course this means buying an iPad and using a specific self-ordering app from the same provider.
We’ve researched the options for placing orders to receive, rather than scanning products from a basket like in a supermarket.
The following are the best self-order checkouts, in our opinion. Let’s look at their features, setup and costs.
Square Kiosk
Square Kiosk is the cheapest self-ordering kiosk to buy at £99 + VAT, but that’s because it doesn’t have a touchscreen. Instead, you place your own iPad inside it and run the Square Kiosk app (£35/month).
The kiosk frame has contactless and chip card readers built in, charging 1.75% for transactions. It doesn’t have a receipt printer, only email and text receipt options.
Square Kiosk is easy to set up yourself with the included wall mounts. As it’s only slightly bigger than the iPad, it fits into small spaces, but it does also fit with a floor stand.
The software works with Square Point of Sale or Square for Restaurants, including a kitchen display system and kitchen printers. The self-ordering iPad app is clearly intended for food-and-drink with its menu options and promotional features to boost orders.
Advantages: Cheap to buy (if you already have an iPad). No contract. Easy and useful features for hospitality.
Downsides: Not cheap if you add the cost of an iPad. No receipt printer. Less suited for retail.
Lightspeed Self-Order Menu
Lightspeed‘s self-ordering kiosk (£99/month) is another solution for iPad. It’s basically the Self-Order Menu app that Lightspeed Restaurant users can download on an iPad that’s securely mounted to where customers place orders.
The software is linked with the old Lightspeed Restaurant POS software (L Series) that’s more advanced than the latest K Series. The Self-Order Menu app will simply populate the self-service checkout with your food and drink menu from the POS system.
The app has two modes: ‘Kiosk’ where customers pay on the iPad at the time of ordering and ‘Table’ where customers place orders but pay the waiter after the meal. Only Lightspeed’s own payment system works with it.
Advantages: Convenient for Lightspeed users. Kiosk and Table modes. Overall decent POS system.
Downsides: If using the latest Lightspeed Restaurant app, you’ll need to change to the older POS system. Annual commitment.
SumUp Kiosk
SumUp has an all-in-one self-ordering machine, SumUp Kiosk, that doesn’t require an iPad. It has a large 21.5″ touchscreen with a card reader attached on the side, which accepts cards for 0.99% per transaction.
The machine, complete with wall or counter mounts, costs £499 + VAT upfront, followed by £49 monthly for the kiosk software. An optional kitchen display system or kitchen printer completes the setup for an additional cost.
As a mid-range product, SumUp Kiosk is pricier upfront than Square, but cheaper when you factor in the cost of an iPad for Square. SumUp’s software is similarly user-friendly and allows merchants to tailor prompts.
Advantages: Low fixed card rate. User-friendly. Customised prompts.
Downsides: Upfront cost could be prohibitive. Limited integrations.
Kayana
Kayana is a flexible solution with their choice of self-service kiosks, setups (standing or mounted) and POS integrations. It’s also the only one on our list that’s clearly marketing its solution to both retail and hospitality.
The kiosks come with a 16″, 24″ or 32″ tablet screen with customisable software to suit any type of business. Attached is a card machine from Adyen, a big credit card processor, and there’s a receipt printer built into all their kiosks.
Although other POS systems (including Kayana’s own) integrate with the kiosks, Epos Now probably has the best partnership package with Kayana. The costs of them range between £350-£500 + VAT upfront plus £39.99-£59.99 + VAT per month, but a commitment of 12 months is usually required.
Advantages: Good for retail. Receipt printing. Choice of kiosks with tablet screens. Integrates with different POS systems.
Downsides: Costs not transparent. Limited support guides online.
Flipdish
London-based Flipdish provides POS and ordering solutions for restaurants and takeaway businesses. Its self-ordering checkouts work independently or with several POS systems, not just Flipdish’s own EPOS. The customisable kiosk software has some good features to increase sales.
The kiosk has an upfront cost quoted at registration and annual fee of £708 (equivalent to £59/month) or £79/month with monthly billing. The integrated card payment system has separate fees.
Merchants can also choose between a large 24″ floor or wall-mounted kiosk and two different 15″ table top designs with touchscreens. All of them have receipt printers and can have custom kiosk wrapping with your branding and colours.
Advantages: Integrates with different POS or works independently. Choice of kiosks. Custom wrapping available.
Downsides: Costs not fully transparent. Not for retail. Some service complains.
Toast
American POS company Toast offers good-quality self-ordering kiosks in the UK for hospitality only. You have to get in touch with the company for a quote and demo. We know the packages aren’t cheap, but then you get a tailored solution.
Toast’s self-service machines have many features to upsell and customise the ordering process. You’ll need help getting it set up (for an installation charge), but then it’s a great-looking kiosk that should run like you prefer.
The catch? The kiosks only work with Toast POS and their kitchen display system. So we recommend getting a demo first before committing to a contract.
Advantages: All-in-one solution with POS, payments and good quality hardware. Flexible software features.
Downsides: High installation, hardware and software costs. Not for retail.
