What is the Difference Between Touch kiosks and Non-touch Kiosks?

Self-service kiosks have become indispensable tools across industries, providing customers with easy access to information, services, and products.

But when it comes to picking the right kiosk for your needs, one question arises: Should you choose a touch kiosk for its interactivity or a non-touch kiosk for its simplicity?

Here’s everything you need to know!

Touch Kiosks: Empowering Users Through Interactivity

• User Control: Touch kiosks offer unparalleled interactivity. Users can tap, swipe, and scroll through menus, input data, or select services.

This makes them ideal for tasks that require active engagement, such as ordering food, browsing product catalogues, or checking into flights. Customers feel in control of their journey, reducing wait times and enhancing satisfaction.

• Real-Time Input: Whether it’s placing a customised order at a fast-food restaurant or entering personal details for event check-ins, touch kiosks make the process smooth and intuitive.

• They are best for:

• Retail: Allowing customers to view product details, compare options, and even complete purchases without needing assistance from a sales representative.
• Airports: Providing self-service check-in and baggage drop, making the entire flying experience faster and more convenient.
• Healthcare: Helping patients check-in for appointments, reducing administrative workload while minimising physical contact.

• Higher Initial Investment: Due to the technology involved, touch kiosks come with a higher price tag.

Touchscreens, responsive software, and the need for regular updates make them more costly upfront and over time, as they require maintenance to keep up with constant use.

Non-Touch Kiosks: Simple, Effective, and Cost-Efficient

• Information at a Glance: Non-touch kiosks are designed for one-way communication. They are perfect for delivering information like store directories, flight schedules, and advertising promotions.
• Users do not interact with these kiosks but passively consume the information displayed.
• Efficient Broadcasting: In locations with heavy foot traffic, like malls, airports, or public transportation hubs, non-touch kiosks serve as digital billboards.
• Their simplicity allows them to operate with minimal oversight while delivering essential content clearly and consistently.

• They are best for:

• Public Spaces: From train stations displaying departure times to shopping malls showing promotional offers, non-touch kiosks provide useful information to large audiences without interaction.
• Corporate Environments: They can be used for wayfinding, displaying announcements, or welcoming guests to conferences and events.
• Lower Costs, Easier Maintenance: Since they don’t rely on interactive elements, non-touch kiosks come with a lower price tag and are less prone to wear and tear. They’re ideal for businesses looking to broadcast static content without investing heavily in interactive technology.

The cost of buying a display doesn’t end at the purchase. Maintenance, longevity, and operational efficiency also play a role in determining long-term costs.

• Interactive touch displays come with more advanced technology, which means they might require more regular maintenance and come at a higher initial price. However, the value they add through customer engagement and productivity gains in collaborative workspaces often justifies the additional cost.

• Non-touch displays tend to be less expensive upfront and require lower maintenance since they aren’t used as intensively. If your goal is a simple, durable solution with minimal upkeep, investing in a non-touch display could result in lower overall operational costs.

Making the Choice: Which is Right for You?

Choosing between a touch or non-touch kiosk depends largely on the role you need the kiosk to play.

• Public Spaces: From train stations displaying departure times to shopping malls showing promotional offers, non-touch kiosks provide useful information to large audiences without interaction.
• If your goal is customer engagement—where the user must actively participate and input information—then a touch kiosk is your best bet. It empowers users and provides a personalised experience.
• If your focus is on delivering information quickly and clearly to a large group, especially in high-traffic areas, non-touch kiosks provide an affordable, effective solution. They communicate key messages without the need for user interaction.

Get in touch with our AV experts and assess your needs better!