What is the Difference Between Kiosk and Vending Machine

The main difference between kiosk and vending machine is the services they provide. Kiosks can display information, dispense products and provide services while vending machines only dispense products.

A kiosk is a small stand-alone booth present in a public place, where you can get tickets or small items or display information. They can be manned or unmanned (electronic). A vending machine is a machine that gives out products such as food, drinks, or cigarettes when you insert a coin or token to the machine.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is a Kiosk 
     – Definition, Function, Pros and Cons
2. What is a Vending Machine
     – Definition, Function, Pros and Cons
3. What is the Difference Between Kiosk and Vending Machine
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Kiosk, Vending Machine

What is a Kiosk

A kiosk is a small stand-alone booth used in areas with high traffic, for marketing or business purposes. It is a physical structure that displays information or provides services. It can be manned by one or two individuals selling a product or service – toys, newspapers, sim cards, insurance, etc. However, kiosks are not always manned by humans. There are numerous electronic kiosks that provide individuals with self-service. They can provide various services like bill payment facilities, movie ticketing, public transport ticketing, credit card swipes, and building directory.

Kiosks that act as directories are usually present in large areas with a high density of people; for example, in shopping malls or theme parks. Moreover, some retail shops use product promotion kiosks to provide information and offer a chance for potential customers to take advantage of promotions. There are also self-service kiosks that help people with simple tasks – for example, self-ordering at restaurants, self-check-in at the airport, and self-ticketing at movie houses.

Pros of Kiosks

• Businesses are able to reach a high number of customers since kiosks are located in high traffic areas.
• Customers can easily access information about products and services – for example, price inquires, features comparison, etc.
• Installation and maintenance of kiosks do not cost much.
• Kiosks can help with advertising and branding of products and services.
• They can also help to reduce the waiting time.

What is a Vending Machine

A vending machine is a machine that gives out products such as food, drinks, or cigarettes when you insert a coin or token to the machine. Vending machines are commonly used to dispense snacks and beverages, but some vending machines also dispense other items, such as cigarettes, birth control items, newspapers and even electronic items like digital cameras or iPods. Moreover, the combination of different types of vending machines that sell a wide range of products is called full-line vending.

Pros and Cons of Vending Machine Business

Pros

• Easy to start
• Very easy business to run
• 24/7 sales
• Possible to sell almost any product

Cons

• Competition for prime locations
• High capital cost at the start of the business
• There is no security for vending machines

Difference Between Kiosk and Vending Machine

Definition

A kiosk is a small stand-alone booth in a public place which you can use to get tickets or small items or information about something while the vending machine is a machine that gives out products such as food, drinks, or cigarettes when you insert a coin or token to the machine.

Products and Services

Kiosks have many functions; they display information or provide services like movie ticketing, public transport ticketing, credit card swipes, bill payment, etc. or products like toys, newspapers, sim cards, insurance, etc. Vending machines, on the other hand, only provide small items like snacks, drinks, cigarettes, etc.

Supervision

Traditional kiosks are manned by one or two individuals, while digital or electronic kiosks do not need any human supervision. Vending machines, on the other hand, do not need constant human supervision.

Conclusion

The main difference between kiosk and vending machine is the services they provide. Kiosks can display information, dispense products like toys and newspapers and provide services like movie ticketing, public transport ticketing, credit card swipes, and bill payment. Vending machines, on the other hand, only dispense products.

Reference:

1. Orencia, Abigail. “What Is a Kiosk? – Definition, Examples, and More.” Fit Small Business, 16 June 2020, Available here.
2. Gaille, Brandon. “10 Vending Machine Business Pros and Cons.” BrandonGaille.com, 17 Jan. 2017, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “HeySong beverage vending machine 20120917” By Codobai – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “739183” (CC0) via Pxhere