Walk into any fast-food chain, cinema or supermarket in the UK and you’ll see them: self-service kiosks. They cut queues, they upsell without anyone feeling awkward, and they free up staff for the jobs that need a human. The good news for independents is that kiosk hardware no longer needs a chain-sized budget.
In this guide we look at two very different ways to go self-service with HiStone: the compact HK568MSC, based on our best-selling EPOS terminal, and the full-size HS330T self-checkout kiosk.
Self-ordering vs self-checkout: what’s the difference?
- Self-ordering kiosks let customers browse a menu, customise their order and pay. Think burger bars, coffee shops and food halls.
- Self-checkout kiosks let customers scan their own items and pay. Think convenience stores, supermarkets and retail.
Some businesses need one, some need both. The hardware you choose depends on which.
Option 1: the HK568MSC, our best-seller turned kiosk
Our customers love the HK568 at the counter, so the HK568MSC takes that same hardware and makes it customer-facing.
- 15.6″ Full HD true-flat touchscreen that rotates through 180 degrees for counter or self-service mounting
- Windows 11 LTSC or Pro, so it runs Windows kiosk and EPOS software, including ICRTouch
- Intel Celeron J6412, Core i3 or Core i5, with 4GB to 16GB RAM
- Fully sealed housing: waterproof, dustproof, and oil and soot resistant, which is ideal near food service
- Optional MSR, RFID and fingerprint reader for loyalty and membership cards
- Branding plate on the housing for your own colours and logo
Best for: cafés, takeaways, bars and quick-service restaurants that want a countertop or wall-mounted ordering point without giving up floor space. Because it shares its platform with the HK568, you can run the same software image on your tills and your kiosks, which makes support far simpler.
Option 2: the HS330T, a full self-checkout station
When you need a proper standalone kiosk, the HS330T is the big hitter.
- 23.8″ Full HD touchscreen in an integrated glass panel with an ultra-thin aluminium frame
- Android 12 on an 8-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 660, with 4GB/64GB standard and 8GB/128GB optional
- Built-in FR60 barcode scanner and Epson M30 receipt printer
- Optional 60kg security scale for self-checkout, plus a membership or face-payment camera, MSR/RFID, and security or AI cameras
- Floor-standing, desktop or wall-mounted, with optional shelving trays, alarm lights and brackets for an external card terminal
- Front-opening door for quick servicing, in black or white
Best for: convenience stores, supermarkets, retail chains and busy QSRs that want a dedicated, high-visibility kiosk.
Self-service kiosk price in the UK: what affects it?
“How much does a self-service kiosk cost?” is one of the most searched questions in our industry. The honest answer is that it depends on:
- Size and format: countertop units cost far less than floor-standing kiosks.
- What’s built in: scanners, printers, scales, cameras and card readers all add up.
- Payment hardware: most kiosks use a separate card terminal from your payment provider.
- Software: kiosk software is usually licensed separately by your EPOS provider.
- Preparation and support: imaging, testing, installation and warranty all matter.
Because we’re a distributor, resellers and software houses get trade pricing. End users can get a quote through one of our partners or build a quote online.
Why HiStone kiosks?
Kiosks take more punishment than tills. The public prods them, leans on them and occasionally kicks them. HiStone’s background, starting as Hisense Intelligent Commercial Systems with more than 30 years of commercial POS engineering, shows in the build quality: rigid frames, quality touchscreens and components designed for long hours.
Comparing brands? Read our comparison of the best self-service kiosk brands in the UK and our guide to the benefits of self-service kiosks.
See them in our showroom
Both the HK568MSC and the HS330T are on display at our Leicester showroom, alongside the rest of the HiStone self-service range. Bring your software and try the customer journey for yourself.
Call 0116 260 3100, email sales@b-spokesystems.com or browse our self-checkout and kiosk range.