How Much Does It Cost to Start an ATM Business?

One of the most overlooked strategies for generating passive income is launching an ATM business. Although many people believe it requires a large upfront investment, starting an ATM business can be flexible, particularly when working with a seasoned provider like NationalLink.

To help you choose whether this opportunity is suited for you, we’ve addressed the most frequently asked issues regarding ATM ownership, installation, and setup in this guide.

Can a Regular Person Own an ATM?

Yes! You don’t need to be a bank to own an ATM. Regular people, whether you’re a small business owner or an aspiring entrepreneur, can buy or host ATMs to generate passive income.

At NationalLink, we’ve helped thousands of individuals and businesses across the U.S. enter the ATM industry with ease. Whether you want to install an ATM in your own shop or place them in someone else’s business, ownership is 100% possible.

How Much Does It Cost to Start an ATM Business?

The cost of starting an ATM business depends on how you approach it:

• Free ATM Placement with NationalLink: The easiest way to get started is with our free ATM placement program. We provide the ATM machine, installation, and ongoing maintenance for free. As the business owner, you simply enjoy the benefits, like increased foot traffic, more cash sales, and shared surcharge revenue.
• Buying Your Own ATM: If you want full ownership, ATMs typically cost $2,000-$3,000 per machine. When you purchase an ATM through NationalLink, we provide comprehensive training, transaction processing, and 24/7 support, enabling you to run your ATM business with confidence. We offer ATM service and maintenance for the ATM machine that you own, should you need our help.

Either way, your investment is flexible. You can get started with little to no upfront costs.

Where Can I Put an ATM?

You can place an ATM in two main ways:

1. Inside your own business: Many merchants (liquor stores, gas stations, laundromats, barber shops, convenience stores) install ATMs in their locations to serve customers and earn extra income.
2. In someone else’s business: Entrepreneurs often build ATM routes by negotiating placements in high-traffic businesses. In these cases, the ATM owner shares surcharge revenue with the merchant, making it a win-win partnership.

With NationalLink, we help identify the best placement opportunities to maximize profitability.

How Do I Set Up an ATM in My Store?

Setting up an ATM doesn’t have to be complicated. With NationalLink’s ATM placement program, we handle everything for you:

• Free ATM machine included
• Professional installation
• Ongoing maintenance and repairs
• 24/7 customer and technical support

You don’t have to worry about hardware costs, compliance, or downtime—we take care of it all. For those who want to own the ATM outright, we also provide purchase options with full processing and service support.

Is ATM Business Profitable?

ATMs generate revenue through surcharge fees paid by customers when they withdraw cash. Depending on location, each ATM transaction fee can start from $0.50.

For example:

• A machine averaging 300 transactions per month at $3.00 per withdrawal = $900 in monthly surcharge revenue.
• Multiply that by multiple ATMs, and you can see why ATM entrepreneurship is considered one of the best passive income opportunities.

With NationalLink’s decades of experience, we’ll help you maximize revenue by choosing the right locations and providing reliable processing services.

Is It Better to Own or Host an ATM?

It depends on your goals:

• Own an ATM if you want full control and higher profit potential.
• Host an ATM with NationalLink if you want zero upfront investment, free service, and guaranteed reliability.

Many entrepreneurs start with a free placement to test the waters, then expand by buying their own ATMs once they see the revenue potential.

How Do I Start an ATM Business with NationalLink?

Getting started is simple:

1. Contact NationalLink for a consultation.
2. We’ll evaluate your location(s) and determine the best setup.
3. Choose free ATM placement or ownership, whichever fits your goals.
4. Start earning passive income from surcharge revenue and increased customer traffic.

With over 30 years of experience and thousands of trusted clients nationwide, NationalLink is the partner you need to grow your ATM business safely and profitably.

Starting an ATM business is more affordable than most people realize. Whether you choose free ATM placement or owning your own machine, the earning potential is strong, especially when you work with a trusted provider like NationalLink.