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 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?

Starting an ATM business means owning your ATM, placing it at a location, supplying the cash, and partnering with a reliable processing company.

ATM Ownership Costs:

To start an ATM business, you must own the ATM machine. 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 to help you operate and grow your ATM business confidently. We offer ATM service and maintenance for your ATM machine, should you need our help.

Where Can I Put an ATM?

As an ATM owner, you control where you place your machine, whether in your own business or at a third-party location.

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?

With NationalLink as your processing and service partner, setting up an ATM doesn’t have to be complicated:

• 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)

This approach gives ATM owners professional support while maintaining full ownership and control of their machines.

Is ATM Business Profitable?

ATMs generate revenue through surcharge fees paid by customers when they withdraw cash. Depending on the 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.

ATM owners must also supply the cash used in their machines. Most modern ATMs, such as the Genmega G2500 or Hyosung Halo II, come with a minimum 1,000-note dispenser, which means owners typically need to front about $20,000 to load $20 bills. Refill frequency depends on the location’s activity level.

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

What Is Required to Start an ATM Business?

Owning an ATM is the only way to start an ATM business. In an ATM business, you own the machine, choose the location, supply the cash, and partner with a processing company like NationalLink.

As an ATM owner, you may place your machine in your own business or at a third-party location. In that case, the business owner decides whether to host your ATM, which may involve a revenue-sharing agreement.

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. Purchase your ATM and partner with NationalLink for processing, setup, and ongoing support.
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, but true ATM entrepreneurship requires ownership. When you own your ATM, the earning potential is strong, especially when you work with a trusted processing partner like NationalLink.