Guide
How much does a vending machine cost?
A used snack machine in Canada usually costs $1,000–$3,000 and a new one $4,000–$7,000. Combo and drink machines cost a little more, smart coolers and micro markets a lot more. The table below updates from real asking prices on this site.
Vending machine prices in Canada
Median asking price where we have at least 3 listings in a group, otherwise the typical range. Live from listings on this site.
| Machine | Used / refurbished | New |
|---|---|---|
| Snack | $1,000–$3,000 | $4,000–$7,000 |
| Drink & pop | $1,200–$3,500 | $4,500–$8,000 |
| Combo | $1,500–$4,000 | $5,000–$9,000 |
| Coffee & hot drinks | $800–$3,000 | $3,000–$10,000 |
| Smart / AI | $3,000–$7,000 | $6,000–$12,000 |
| Micro market | $4,000–$10,000 | $8,000–$20,000 |
| Claw & crane | $800–$2,500 | $3,000–$6,000 |
What changes the price
- Condition: refurbished machines cost 20–40% more than as-is used ones, and usually come with a warranty.
- Refrigeration: drink, combo and fresh food machines cost more and cost more to fix.
- Payment hardware: a card reader adds $300–$600, plus a monthly fee for telemetry.
- Size: full-size machines cost more but earn more on a busy site.
- Delivery: moving a 300 kg machine is $150–$500 locally, more with stairs.
The costs after you buy
Budget for the first load of product ($300–$800 for a snack machine), card processing (around 5–7% of cashless sales once fees are included), a location commission if the site asks for one (commonly 5–15% of sales), and insurance. A machine on a good site pays for itself in 6–18 months.
Buying a route instead
A vending route costs more up front because it includes locations that already earn. Routes usually sell for 12–24 months of net profit plus the value of the machines. See the routes for sale page for current listings.
Questions
How much is a snack vending machine?
Used: about $1,000–$3,000. New: about $4,000–$7,000 for full-size, under $1,000 for small countertop units.
How much does a vending machine cost to run each month?
Electricity is $20–$60 a month for a refrigerated machine, less for snacks. Card processing and telemetry are the other fixed costs; product and location commission scale with sales.
How long does a vending machine take to pay for itself?
On a good location, 6–18 months for a used machine and 12–30 months for a new one. On a weak location it may never pay off, which is why location matters more than the machine.