ATM Buyers Guide: How to Choose the ATM Equipment That’s Best for Your Business
We’ve created an ATM buyers guide to help you determine which ATM equipment options best suit you. We’ll discuss each brand, each type, and even prices to help get you started.
The selection process can be broken down into three steps:
Step 1: Choose ATM Type
Step 2: Choose a Manufacturer
Step 3: Choose New or Refurbished
When it comes to choosing an ATM, you want to know which one is the best. However, what the decision really comes down to is which one is the best for you.
Keep size in mind too. Do you need a through-the-wall ATM or a smaller version? There’s a lot to consider. Our ATM Buyers Guide can help get you started. Check out the following options and see which machine best meets your needs and space.
ATM Buyers Guide Step 1: ATM Type
Let’s discuss the type before we cover a few leading ATM brands. There are three popular options: free-standing, through-the-wall, and wall mount.
Free-standing ATMs vary in size but are generally smaller than through-the-wall. The advantage of free-standing ATMs is that they can be placed anywhere there’s a power supply. This gives you more freedom with your organization and planning.
Through-the-wall (TTW) ATMs are heavier. The bulky part (the interface) extending from the front of the ATM (the chassis) fits into or through the wall protruding into the next room.
It might take some construction work to develop this area if it doesn’t already exist in your space, but through-the-wall ATMs are typically more secure because they are often placed in rooms with controlled access.
Remember that TTW ATM machines are also better when facing outdoors as they allow a secure way to offer 24-hour convenient cash access to passers-by, not just in-store customers. That often translates into higher usage.
The smallest option is a wall-mount ATM. These ATMs can be mounted to a wall using sturdy steel brackets (included with the ATM) or optionally mounted on a table or countertop, depending on your work space.
Because of their space-saving size, wall-mount ATMs hold fewer notes but can be the perfect ATM for small businesses and lower-traffic locations.
ATM Buyers Guide Step 2: ATM Manufacturers and Equipment Options
ATM Depot offers full lines of Hyosung, Genmega, Triton, and Hantle/Tranax machines. Plus, we can get just about any machine you may be interested in. In addition to a brief overview of each brand, we’ll share our recommendations and most popular machines.
Hyosung ATM Machines
The Hyosung Halo II has a ‘Halo’ around the keypad, which is great for dimly lit locations.
Hyosung is a Korean-based company that first introduced its Nautilus Hyosung ATMs to the United States in 1998. Their US office is located in Irving, Texas. They’ve deployed thousands of ATMs worldwide since 1997.
Hyosung is considered to be the leading provider of ATM hardware, software, and service. They have a reputation for having the most reliable, durable, and flexible ATMs.
If you have limited location or floor space, the Hyosung 4000w was a space-saving option that can be mounted to a countertop or vertical surface but has been discontinued. Don’t worry. It has been replaced by Genmega Onyx-W which has all of the same features and options as the new and very popular free-standing Genmega Onyx) model.
The “Halo” is appropriately named. The LED lighting surrounding the keypad draws more users and, therefore, more revenue for your bottom line. The Halo is perfect for dimly lit areas like bars and clubs due to its LED lighting.
The 10.1 high-resolution color screen is larger than most ATM screens which makes it perfect for customization. The vibrant 10” color LCD screen adds to this machine’s user-friendliness.
Genmega ATM Machines
Genmega headquarters are in Fremont, California. One of the newest ATM companies, they introduced their first ATMs in 2006. However, they’ve already deployed over 50,000 units worldwide since that time.
One of Genmega’s most significant advantages is its staff of engineers, developers, and technicians. With decades of combined ATM experience, there’s no shortage of help. Genmega is noted for its cutting-edge engineering and integration.
Specifically, we recommend the new through-the-wall Genmega GT3000. The terminal is small, compact, and weather-resistant. It’s an excellent option for outdoor space or where space is limited. Although new, the Genmega GT3000 proves Genmega’s goal to manufacture high-quality, reliable equipment.
As far as free-standing options, we’d recommend the G2500. It’s comparable to the Halo II mentioned above with an 8″ TFT high-resolution 32-bit color LCD screen. The Genmega G2500 is the latest option for a brand-new Genmega ATM machine. A little bit lower in cost, it’s our second most popular machine after the Halo II. We like Genmega machines because they come standard with the new Genmega GenCam. The GenCam takes a photo of everyone that uses your ATM so there is always photo proof if handling disputes.
Hantle (Tranax) ATM Machines
Tranax began as a business partner of Korea’s Hyosung Computer Company. They first introduced their ATMs to the US in 1998. In 2010, Tranax changed its name to Hantle, the name of its Korea-based parent.
From 650 in their first year to 6,000 in the next, half of the machines deployed were the ever-popular Mini-Bank 1000 ATM. Additionally, Tranax/Hantle ATMs experience almost zero service issues for their 1700 Series, according to our field technicians. Our technicians rarely make service calls to the hundreds of these ATMs we’ve deployed. Unfortunately, Hantle ATMs are no longer compliant. The Genmega ATMs have taken their place.
Triton ATM Machines
Triton started in the early 1990s and has been a market leader ever since. The company produces reliable ATMs that last upwards of ten years or more. Triton has been a privately owned company since 2010 and produced its 200,000th ATM in 2011.
ATM Depot’s founder and author of The Amazing Money Machine, Noah Wieder, was part of Triton Systems’ original Triton Advisory Committee in 1992. One of the oldest ATM companies, Triton, continues to produce quality machines.
While the popular Triton 9600 has been discontinued, a close second is the Triton RL200, RL1600 and 9100, which you can purchase used and refurbished (more on this later).
ATM Buyers Guide Step 3: New vs. Refurbished
The Triton 9100 is a great refurbished machine for a location with lower-traffic
You can purchase brand new ATMs of most models from ATM Depot or a refurbished version. It just depends on your needs and what you’re looking for.
Of course, new is nice, but don’t immediately turn up your nose at a refurbished machine. First of all, you should know that refurbished machines are supplied with the newest upgrades, thoroughly cleaned, and furnished with replacement decals before being sold.
Used ATMs aren’t always advertised as refurbished, so if you’re shopping around for used ATM equipment and find a deal, be sure to ask if it’s been refurbished, much like buying a used car from a reputable dealer. A reputable dealer will often inspect and then fix or replace any used parts that could cause a problem making it nicer.
Second, by purchasing a refurbished piece of equipment, you can rest assured that someone has gone through it already to ensure it’s durable. One downfall, however, is that refurbished ATM equipment is sold based on availability. So if you’ve got your eye on a particular brand or style, you might have to purchase it new or wait until a good used one comes around.
It’s important to note also that if you’re starting out, technology improves with the newer machines making them easier to use. Technology on the older machines can be complicated, but brand-new machines come with updated graphics, input functionalities, and more straightforward operator menus.
So it might be easier to input data like the ATM address, update cash amounts, add graphics, troubleshoot, etc., with a newer model. If you have minimal experience, keep the technology in mind.
New ATM Machine Pricing vs. Refurbished ATM Machine Pricing
Last, let’s make a brief price comparison to give you an idea of what to expect:
Take the discontinued Triton 9600, for example. Recommended replacements are a refurbished Triton 9100 for between $1,199 and $1,495 or a brand-new Genmega 2500 for around $2,295. You could be looking at around a thousand-dollar difference, but you must also check availability.
While the Triton is a great buy, the screen is smaller, and the Genmega offers more options, like a Windows OS and a GenCam. However, if you’re starting out in the ATM business and have limited funds or a location that might not be that busy but want to install an ATM anyway, refurbished ATM equipment could be an ideal solution. Just know that most Triton machines have much smaller screens and do not operate on Windows.
Discontinued ATMs
If you’re looking into a refurbished machine from another seller, remember that some heavily discounted machines might be outdated and no longer meet requirements or process transactions.
As regulations change, so must ATM features. ATMs that don’t meet the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements and other upgrades are accordingly unable to continue processing transactions on ATM networks. For this reason, be wary of Triton 9600, Triton 9700, Tranax or Hantle 1700, WRG Apollo, and WRG Genesis models or any ATM manufactured before 2016.
You might see these discontinued ATMs for sale for extremely discounted prices. But keep in mind that they won’t work for you as is. They can, however, be used for parts. Additionally, if you see one that interests you, we can recommend comparable replacements.
How to Pay for Your ATM
All the new and certified refurbished ATM equipment listed on ATMDepot.com are offered at already discounted cash prices. You can purchase the machine outright for the price listed. You can even pay with a credit card for a small additional charge.
The typical return on investment (ROI) on an outright purchase is about 3 to 18 months, depending on your location, surcharge, and hours of operation. So if you use a credit card to purchase your ATM equipment and make payments, the ROI will be a little longer since you’ll pay some interest on your credit card.
However, you can find credit cards that offer no interest for 12 months. ATM Depot even has a financial partner to help you get small business loans to buy ATMs.
When you purchase an ATM from ATM Depot and want us to help you run the ATM processing, there are no monthly, statement, or processing fees. Shipping is also free within the continental United States. The only additional cost is the installation fee and other upgrades, which are entirely optional.
ATM Depot also offers special sales, upgrades, flexible payment options, and in-house financing. You can always contact us for more information.
Before Making a Decision
Finally, before making a definitive decision, you must ensure you’re ready to operate your ATM. Here are the two things you will need:
- A space / Location
- Power supply
We can take care of the rest as long as you have these covered. Compare the different machine options listed in this ATM buyers guide, and match them to your needs.
Contact us with your questions to help you make a decision. It’s easy to get set up with nationwide ATM processing. Get started on your ATM Side Hustle today!
Our hope is that this ATM Machine Buyer’s Guide helps you navigate some of the known pitfalls in the business. This will be a three part series. Be sure to click the next part in the series at the bottom of each post when you’re ready to proceed.
The most common kind of ATM is the kind that stands up on its own, also known as a “free standing ATM”. These free standing ATM machines require approx 3 sq ft in front of them for ADA compliance (about 36″ for a wheel chair). The machines themselves have a very small foot print and run anywhere from 14″ x 14″ up to 20″ x 20″ still relatively very little floor space for the return on investment. Even with the diminutive size of the newest free standing ATM machines, if you don’t think you have enough room, you might opt for some of the newest tabletop or counter top models.
Another choice is the outdoor ATM. (These ATM’s may also be inserted into a wall.) Outdoor ATM’s can be used 24 hours a day, and therefore they let you collect ATM fees 24 hours a day! This option, obviously, will save you interior space, too. A downside to an outdoor ATM however, is that depending on the location, your outdoor ATM may require proper lighting so people will feel safe using the ATM; and, depending on the area, you may consider some sort of surveillance cameras. Most outdoor ATM machines are weather protected but if you want the highest possible usage, you’d be smart to consider some kind of protection from the weather for the ATM users, again depending on the type of deployment and the weather in the area. While outdoor ATM’s can be more expensive to keep up, they typically have much higher usage and therefor justify the expense.