The payment system in a laundromat affects revenue, expenses, customer satisfaction, and the business's resale value. Choosing the right system — or knowing when to upgrade — is one of the highest-impact operational decisions an owner can make.
Here's how coin, card, and app-based payment systems compare across every dimension that matters.
The Three Payment Models
Coin-Only
The traditional model. Customers feed quarters into machines. The owner collects coins, counts them, and deposits them at the bank.
Pros:
- Zero processing fees
- Simple, proven technology
- Low upfront cost (coin mechanisms are inexpensive)
- No internet connection required
Cons:
- No ability to adjust pricing without changing coin slides (costly and time-consuming)
- Vulnerable to coin theft, slugs, and break-ins
- Requires frequent coin collection and counting
- Decreasing customer preference — younger demographics expect card/app options
- No remote monitoring or analytics
Card-Based
Customers pay with credit or debit cards using a reader mounted on or near each machine. Some systems use a proprietary loyalty card that customers load with funds at a kiosk.
Pros:
- Dynamic pricing — adjust prices remotely in minutes
- Reduced theft risk (less cash on premises)
- Customers spend more per visit (no friction from needing exact change)
- Transaction data provides clear revenue reporting
- Easier to verify financials when selling the business
Cons:
- Processing fees of 2.5–5% per transaction
- Upfront hardware cost ($200–$500 per machine for card readers, or $5,000–$15,000 for a central kiosk)
- Requires reliable internet connection
- Equipment maintenance and occasional reader failures
App-Based
Customers pay via a smartphone app (e.g., PayRange, Hercules, CSC GO). The app communicates with a Bluetooth or NFC module on the machine.
Pros:
- Lowest hardware cost per machine ($50–$150 for Bluetooth modules)
- Dynamic pricing
- Push notifications and marketing capabilities (loyalty programs, promotions)
- Remote monitoring — see machine status, revenue, and cycles in real time
- Attracts tech-savvy customers and younger demographics
Cons:
- Not all customers have or want to use an app
- Processing fees similar to card-based systems
- Dependent on the app provider's reliability and continued operation
- Requires reliable internet/Bluetooth connectivity
- Can exclude cash-dependent customers
Hybrid: The Best of Both Worlds
Most successful modern laundromats use a hybrid system — accepting coins plus card and/or app payments. This serves every customer demographic:
- Coin for customers who prefer cash or don't have smartphones
- Card/app for the growing majority who prefer cashless payments
Industry surveys consistently show that laundromats accepting multiple payment types generate 15–25% more revenue per machine than coin-only stores. The primary drivers:
- No lost revenue from customers without quarters. A customer who walks in without coins will either leave (lost sale) or use fewer machines than they intended. Card/app removes this friction entirely.
- Dynamic pricing captures value. You can price prime-time hours higher and offer discounts during slow periods — something that's impossible with fixed coin mechanisms.
- Higher average ticket. Customers paying by card tend to use more machines and higher-capacity machines per visit because the payment feels less tangible than feeding quarters.
Cost Comparison
Here's how the costs break down for a 40-machine laundromat (20 washers, 20 dryers):
| Cost Category | Coin-Only | Card Readers | App (Bluetooth) | Hybrid (Coin + App) | |--------------|-----------|-------------|-----------------|---------------------| | Hardware upfront | $0 | $8,000–$20,000 | $2,000–$6,000 | $2,000–$6,000 | | Monthly processing fees | $0 | $300–$600 | $250–$500 | $150–$350 | | Collection labor | 4–6 hrs/week | 1–2 hrs/week | 1–2 hrs/week | 2–3 hrs/week | | Maintenance | Low | Medium | Low | Low–Medium |
Processing fees are a real cost, but they're more than offset by the revenue increase. A 3% processing fee on a 20% revenue increase is an excellent trade.
Impact on Business Value
When it comes time to sell, payment systems significantly affect valuation:
Buyers prefer cashless systems because the revenue is documented and verifiable. A laundromat with card/app payment data showing consistent revenue will attract more buyer interest and command a higher multiple than a coin-only store where revenue is self-reported.
Lenders prefer documented revenue for the same reason. SBA lenders and banks are more comfortable financing a business with electronic transaction records than one relying on handwritten coin collection logs.
A laundromat with modern payment systems typically sells at a 0.5–1x higher multiple than an equivalent coin-only store. On a business netting $100,000/year, that's $50,000–$100,000 in additional sale price — far exceeding the cost of the payment system upgrade.
Which System Should You Choose?
If you're buying a coin-only laundromat: Budget for a hybrid upgrade. Add app-based payment modules (lowest cost per machine) while keeping coin acceptance. The ROI is typically 12–18 months.
If you're building or retooling: Go hybrid from day one. The incremental cost of adding card/app capability during a retool is minimal compared to retrofitting later.
If you operate a coin-only store and it's profitable: You don't need to rush, but plan for the transition. Customer expectations are shifting, and the revenue and valuation benefits of hybrid payment make it a compelling investment.
Popular Payment System Providers
Several companies offer payment systems designed specifically for laundromats:
- PayRange — Bluetooth-based app payment. Low hardware cost, easy retrofit.
- Hercules — Full management platform with payment, monitoring, and analytics.
- CSC ServiceWorks — Comprehensive platform with card, app, and loyalty programs.
- CyclePay — App-based payments with marketing and loyalty features.
- Setomatic (SpyderWash) — Card readers with central payment options.
Evaluate each provider on hardware cost, processing fees, contract terms, customer support, and the ability to switch providers if needed. Avoid long-term contracts that lock you into a single vendor.
The Bottom Line
The laundromat industry is in the middle of a payment transition. Coin isn't going away overnight, but the direction is clear: customers increasingly expect cashless options, and operators who offer them generate more revenue and build more valuable businesses.
The best move for most operators is a hybrid system — keep coins, add app or card payments, and let customers choose how they want to pay.
Looking for laundromats with modern payment systems? Filter listings on LaundroList by payment type to find the right opportunity.