A kiosk is a standalone, interactive terminal designed to provide services, information, or transactions without requiring staff assistance.
In today's digital-first world, kiosks have become essential touchpoints that bridge physical and digital experiences, streamlining operations across countless industries.
From retail to healthcare, these self-contained units are transforming how businesses engage with customers while reducing operational costs and enhancing service delivery.
Here are 10 types of kiosks revolutionizing user experiences across different sectors.
1. Self-Service Kiosks
The days of waiting in line to place an order are rapidly disappearing thanks to self-service kiosks. These interactive terminals have revolutionized customer experiences by putting control directly in your hands.
Self-ordering technology has become crucial to the future of major restaurant chains.
With rising food prices, increasing labor costs, and supply chain challenges, restaurants are discovering a clear business case for kiosk technology as an effective way to reduce expenses.
Fast-food operators frequently report higher average transaction values after installing these self-ordering systems.
While these systems first gained popularity in quick-service restaurants, they've now expanded into retail stores, grocery chains, and hotels, creating smoother customer experiences across many industries.
Self-service kiosks lead to bigger purchases because customers can browse all options at their own pace.
Without feeling the pressure of holding up a line, people take time exploring the menu and adding extras they might otherwise skip.
The numbers confirm this shift in preference. According to a PlayUSA survey, 4 out of 5 Americans say they prefer using self-service kiosks, and 66% would choose one over a cashier-operated checkout.
2. Wayfinding Kiosks
Modern wayfinding kiosks transform navigation in complex spaces from frustrating to intuitive.
These digital guides excel where traditional signage falls short, offering interactive assistance in sprawling environments like shopping centers, airports, university campuses, and medical complexes.
These interactive navigational aids deliver measurable business benefits beyond basic directions.
Facilities with wayfinding kiosks typically report that visitors explore more areas and spend additional time on the premises, positively impacting visitor experience and potential revenue.
Some of the key features of wayfinding kiosks include:
- Interactive digital maps with current location indicators
- Step-by-step navigation instructions
- Search functionality for destinations and services
- Accessibility features for diverse user needs
- Integration with mobile devices via QR codes
Staff members in facilities with wayfinding kiosks can focus on their primary responsibilities rather than repeatedly giving directions, improving overall operational efficiency.
3. Informational Kiosks
Knowledge becomes accessible and engaging through well-designed informational kiosks.
These knowledge hubs deliver educational content, background details, and contextual information in museums, tourist attractions, visitor centers, and government facilities.
Unlike static displays, informational kiosks adapt to user interests and preferences.
Science centers and museums use these dynamic systems to revolutionize visitor engagement. Rather than simply reading about scientific principles or historical events, visitors can interact with the information in ways that match their learning styles.
The American Battlefield Trust demonstrates this power through their implementation of digital engagement tools at historical sites.
By providing layered information through interactive kiosks, they've created richer connections between visitors and America's battlefield history, making the past more accessible and meaningful to modern audiences.
4. Check-in/Check-out Kiosks
Check-in/check-out technology has become essential for forward-thinking hospitality businesses.
In fact, research shows that 80% of today’s travelers prefer hotels that offer fully automated front desk options or self-service kiosks. This points to a clear shift in what guests expect—convenience, control, and speed.
Hotels that implement these kiosks often experience smoother guest arrivals during busy check-in times. They also reduce lobby congestion, which improves both the guest experience and staff efficiency.
Vacation rentals, airports, car rental facilities, and event venues have also adopted this technology to create seamless experiences for their customers’ travel journey.
5. Payment Kiosks
Financial transactions become frictionless through strategically deployed payment kiosks.
These secure transaction points excel in locations where traditional cashier services would be inefficient, including parking facilities, government offices, utility companies, and retail environments.
The convenience factor drives adoption, but security remains paramount. Modern payment kiosks incorporate multiple protection layers, from encrypted transactions to physical security features to protect sensitive financial information.
Utility providers and government offices using payment kiosks often extend payment hours to 24/7, improving customer convenience while reducing staffing requirements.
6. Digital Signage Kiosks
Static information transforms into dynamic engagement through digital signage kiosks.
These attention-grabbing displays deliver targeted messaging, advertisements, and real-time information in retail environments, corporate offices, educational facilities, and public spaces.
Digital displays typically capture more attention than static signage and result in better information recall, making them particularly effective for promotional content and important announcements.
Shopping areas with digital signage kiosks help visitors discover more stores and events than with traditional signage, increasing visibility for businesses throughout the property.
7. Healthcare Kiosks
Health kiosks represent a revolution in healthcare delivery—cost-effective terminals that dramatically expand access while collecting vital patient data.
These versatile stations handle everything from prevention services to telemedicine connections, with proven effectiveness across diverse settings:
- Secure patient information processing and basic diagnostics
- Insurance verification paired with educational resources
- Early intervention opportunities for undiagnosed conditions
Their strategic placement should align with national health indicators, though success ultimately hinges on meaningful stakeholder involvement during design and implementation.
Medical practices implementing these systems report significant improvements in appointment efficiency, allowing professionals to begin consultations with preliminary information already in hand.
Despite integration challenges within formal health systems, the potential for enhancing population coverage, financial protection, and service delivery makes kiosks an innovation worth pursuing.
8. Ticketing Kiosks
The tedious process of waiting in line for tickets has been transformed through ticketing kiosks.
These transaction points streamline purchasing and collecting tickets for movies, concerts, transportation, and other ticketed experiences while reducing operational costs.
Venues using ticketing kiosks consistently report faster transaction times compared to staffed counters, dramatically improving the pre-event experience for attendees.
Entertainment venues often capture additional last-minute ticket sales after installing self-service options, as customers who might avoid a long line are willing to use the quick kiosk option.
9. Transportation Kiosks
Modern transportation hubs have been transformed by strategically positioned kiosks that streamline the entire traveler journey from start to finish.
These digital assistants effortlessly handle ticketing, wayfinding, information services, and more in airports, train stations, bus terminals, rental car facilities, and ride-sharing hubs.
Transit authorities report these well-placed terminals not only improve the overall passenger experience but also effectively address staffing challenges that traditionally create service bottlenecks.
For travelers facing complex transportation networks, these kiosks serve as reliable guides that simplify connections while simultaneously reducing dependency on limited human resources.
10. Survey and Feedback Kiosks
Customer experiences are transformed into valuable insights through surveys and feedback kiosks.
When placed strategically across retail stores, restaurants, service venues, and corporate facilities, these kiosks capture real-time opinions that drive improvement.
Organizations gain crucial insights from customers who would typically bypass comment cards or ignore follow-up emails, creating a more representative understanding of their service performance.
The visible commitment to gathering feedback also signals to customers that their opinions genuinely matter, fostering stronger brand loyalty while providing decision-makers with the continuous intelligence needed to refine operations and elevate experiences.
Benefits of Using Kiosks Across Industries
The proliferation of kiosks across so many industries isn't just a technological trend—it represents a fundamental shift in how businesses approach customer service and operational efficiency.
Here's why organizations continue to invest in kiosk technology:
Streamlining Operations
Kiosks handle routine transactions and inquiries with consistent efficiency, allowing staff to focus on more complex customer needs.
This redistribution of human resources creates operational savings while actually improving service quality for issues requiring human expertise.
For many businesses, kiosks process standard transactions in half the time of traditional methods, dramatically reducing wait times during peak periods.
The consistency of kiosk interactions also reduces errors often associated with manual processes.
Enhancing Customer Experience
Today's consumers increasingly value convenience and self-service options.
Kiosks provide 24/7 service availability without staffing constraints, allowing customers to complete transactions on their schedule and at their preferred pace.
The privacy offered by kiosks also improves experiences for sensitive transactions. Healthcare patients, for instance, often prefer entering personal information on a kiosk rather than stating it aloud at a reception desk.
Reducing Labor Costs
With labor representing one of the largest operational expenses across industries, kiosks offer significant financial benefits.
A single kiosk can handle thousands of transactions monthly at a fraction of staffing costs, with the initial investment typically recovered within 9-18 months.
Beyond direct salary savings, kiosks eliminate expenses related to employee turnover, training, benefits, and scheduling challenges—particularly valuable in industries with historically high turnover rates.
Collecting Valuable Data
Perhaps one of the most underappreciated benefits of kiosks is their data collection capability.
Every interaction generates insights about customer preferences, peak usage times, popular products, and service efficiencies.
This continuous data stream allows organizations to refine offerings, optimize staffing, personalize marketing, and identify emerging trends before competitors.
Unlike human interactions, kiosk transactions create consistent, measurable data points for analysis.
Common Components of a Kiosk
Understanding the building blocks of kiosk systems helps organizations make informed implementation decisions. Most kiosks comprise these essential elements:
Hardware
- Touchscreen display – The primary interaction point, available in various sizes and with different touch technologies
- Processing unit – The computer powering the kiosk, scaled according to required capabilities
- Payment devices – Card readers, NFC terminals, and cash handlers for transaction processing
- Printers – Thermal or laser options for receipts, tickets, or documentation
- Peripheral devices – Cameras, scanners, biometric readers, and other specialized tools
- Enclosure – The physical housing designed for security, accessibility, and brand alignment
- Network connectivity – Wired or wireless components ensuring system communication
Software
- Operating system – Typically Windows, Android, or Linux-based platforms
- Kiosk management software – Controlling user interface and functionality
- Content management system – Facilitating updates across multiple kiosks
- Analytics platform – Tracking usage patterns and performance metrics
- Security software – Protecting both the system and user data
- Integration tools – Connecting kiosks to external systems like inventory or CRM
- Remote monitoring utilities – Allowing technical support without physical presence
How to Choose the Right Kiosk Software
Selecting the appropriate software requires careful consideration of several factors:
- Identify clear objectives – Determine exactly what problems you're solving and what success metrics will apply.
- Consider your audience – Evaluate your users' technical comfort, physical needs, and transaction preferences.
- Assess environmental factors – Indoor vs. outdoor placement, space constraints, and foot traffic patterns all impact kiosk design requirements.
- Evaluate connectivity needs – Determine whether consistent internet access is available or if kiosks must function offline.
- Plan for maintenance – Consider who will support the technology, how updates will be managed, and what technical resources are available.
- Calculate total cost of ownership – Look beyond purchase price to include installation, maintenance, software licensing, and eventual replacement.
- Prioritize security – Ensure the solution includes appropriate physical security, data protection, and compliance with relevant regulations.
- Test thoroughly – Conduct pilot programs to gather user feedback before full-scale implementation.
Create Interactive Experiences with STRQY Kiosk
Transform your customer interactions with STRQY Kiosk. Our platform enables you to create digital labels and richly interactive storytelling elements that engage your visitors like never before.
From museum displays that come alive through interactive storytelling to retail environments with dynamic product information, STRQY helps organizations create memorable, informative experiences that drive engagement and satisfaction.
Ready to elevate your kiosk implementation?