In 2025, over 60% of vending transactions are cashless. If your machines only accept cash, you're leaving money on the table—literally. Customers who don't have cash simply walk away.
Adding card readers to your machines is one of the highest-ROI investments you can make. Here's everything you need to know.
Why Go Cashless?
Benefits
- 20-35% increase in sales
- Higher average transaction value
- Less cash to collect and deposit
- Remote sales monitoring
- Reduced theft risk
- Appeal to younger customers
Considerations
- Upfront hardware cost ($300-500)
- Transaction fees (5-8%)
- Monthly service fees ($0-15)
- Requires cellular/WiFi connection
- Additional equipment to maintain
How Cashless Vending Works
A cashless reader connects to your vending machine's MDB (Multi-Drop Bus) port—the same connection used by bill validators and coin mechs. When a customer taps or inserts their card:
- The reader communicates with the payment processor via cellular or WiFi
- The transaction is authorized in seconds
- The reader tells the machine to vend the product
- Funds are deposited to your account (minus fees)
Most readers support credit cards, debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay.
Top Cashless Providers Compared
| Provider | Hardware Cost | Transaction Fee | Monthly Fee | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nayax | $350-450 | 5.95% | $0 | Most operators |
| Cantaloupe (USA Tech) | $300-400 | 5.95% | $10-15 | Large operations |
| Vendmax | $275-350 | 6.5% | $0 | Budget-conscious |
| PayRange | $150-200 | 7-9% | $0 | Mobile-only solution |
| Greenlite | $300-400 | 5.5-6% | $7-12 | Micro markets |
Provider Deep Dives
Nayax
The most popular choice for small to mid-size operators. No monthly fees, solid hardware, and a great management app. Supports all major payment types including Apple Pay and Google Pay. Good customer support.
Cantaloupe (formerly USA Technologies)
The industry giant. Best for larger operations that need advanced reporting and fleet management. Monthly fees add up, but the platform is robust. Often required by large location accounts.
PayRange
Lowest hardware cost, but only works via their mobile app—no physical card swipes. Higher transaction fees. Good for testing cashless on a budget, but limits customer payment options.
Understanding the Fees
Cashless fees seem high compared to cash (which is "free"), but let's do the math:
Scenario: A machine does $400/month in cash sales. You add a card reader.
- Sales increase 25% to $500/month
- 60% of sales ($300) are now cashless
- Transaction fees at 6%: $18/month
- Net gain: $100 - $18 = $82/month extra profit
The increased sales almost always outweigh the fees. Plus, you spend less time collecting and depositing cash.
Installation: What to Expect
Installing a card reader is straightforward if your machine has an MDB port (most machines made after 2000 do):
- Mount the reader — Usually attaches to the front of the machine with screws or adhesive
- Connect to MDB — Plug into the same harness as your bill validator
- Power connection — Some readers use machine power, others need a separate connection
- Activate online — Register the device with your provider's portal
- Test — Run a test transaction to confirm everything works
Most operators can install a reader in 30-60 minutes. If you're not comfortable, providers often have installation partners.
Telemetry: The Hidden Benefit
Modern card readers do more than process payments—they provide telemetry (remote monitoring):
- Real-time sales data: See what's selling without visiting the machine
- Inventory alerts: Know when products are running low
- Machine health: Get notified of errors or offline machines
- Route optimization: Service machines based on actual need, not schedules
This data alone can save hours per week and help you make better stocking decisions.
Which Machines Need Cashless First?
If you can't afford to upgrade all machines at once, prioritize:
- Highest-traffic locations — Maximum ROI
- Locations with younger demographics — They expect cashless
- Office buildings — Professionals rarely carry cash
- Locations where you've heard "I don't have cash" — Direct feedback
Common Questions
Do I still need a bill validator?
Yes, keep your bill validator. Some customers still prefer cash, and you don't want to turn away any sales. Cashless is additive, not a replacement.
What about connectivity issues?
Modern readers use cellular (like a cell phone) and work almost anywhere with cell service. WiFi options exist for locations with poor cellular coverage. Offline transactions can be stored and processed when connectivity returns.
How long until I break even on the hardware?
With a 25% sales increase on a $400/month machine, you'll see about $80/month in additional profit after fees. A $400 reader pays for itself in 5 months.
Can I use any reader with any machine?
Most readers work with any MDB-compatible machine. Check your machine's specs or ask the reader provider. Very old machines (pre-2000) may need adapters.
My Recommendation
For most operators, Nayax is the best choice. No monthly fees, reasonable transaction rates, excellent app, and reliable hardware. Start with your highest-performing machines and expand from there.
If you're on a tight budget and your customers are tech-savvy, PayRange is a cheap way to test cashless. Just know you're limiting payment options.
For large operations (50+ machines), Cantaloupe offers enterprise features that justify the monthly fees.
Track Your Cashless Sales
VendHub integrates with your operations to help you track all sales—cash and cashless—in one place.
Bottom Line
Cashless payment is no longer optional—it's expected. The 20-35% sales increase more than covers the fees, and the telemetry data helps you run a smarter operation.
If you haven't added card readers yet, make it your next investment. Your customers (and your revenue) will thank you.