Scan and pay vs self checkout kiosks
Both let shoppers check themselves out. The difference is where the checkout happens: at a machine the store owns, or on the shopper’s own phone. Each has real strengths.
| Self checkout kiosk | Scan and pay on the phone | |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware | Store buys and maintains kiosks | None, the shopper’s phone |
| Floor space | Needs a kiosk area | Only an exit lane |
| When shoppers scan | At the end, at the kiosk | While they shop |
| Queue | Can form at busy times | Only a quick exit check |
| Weighed items | Possible with a built in scale | No, they stay at the counter |
| Shopper needs | Nothing | The app installed |
| Cash | Some kiosks accept cash | No, UPI, card or wallet |
| Scaling up | More kiosks, more cost | More shoppers, same setup |
Where kiosks are stronger
- Shoppers do not need to install anything.
- Kiosks with a scale can handle weighed produce.
- Some accept cash.
Where scan and pay is stronger
- No hardware to buy, so it is quicker and cheaper to start, and easy to try in one store.
- No kiosk queue, because every shopper’s phone is a checkout.
- Shoppers see their running total while they shop.
- It fits stores that do not have spare floor space.
How to choose
If many of your sales are weighed or paid in cash, kiosks or counters will stay important. If your queues are mostly small baskets of packaged goods, and your shoppers pay by UPI, scan and pay moves them out of the line without new machines. Many stores will use counters and mobile checkout side by side. See how scan and pay works.
Try it in one of your stores. A 30 day pilot runs as an express lane next to your existing counters, and we measure the difference against a similar store.
See how the pilot works or write to hello@qwikexit.com.
Common questions
What is the difference between scan and pay and a self checkout kiosk?
A kiosk is a machine in the store where shoppers scan and pay at the end of their trip. Scan and pay uses the shopper’s own phone, so they scan while they shop, pay in the app and only pass a quick exit check.
Is scan and pay cheaper than self checkout kiosks?
Scan and pay needs no hardware, so the store does not buy or maintain machines. Kiosks have upfront and maintenance costs but do not need shoppers to install an app.