Smart Cooler Monthly Fees Explained
Besides the price of the cooler, every AI smart cooler has ongoing costs: a monthly software and connectivity fee, and processing on each sale. Here’s exactly what each brand we sell charges, with worked examples.
The short answer
- Vendera smart coolers: $40 a month for software and connectivity (AI software, mobile app and Vendera VMS), plus 5.85% processing on all transactions. No per-transaction fee on credit cards. Debit card transactions add $0.22 each.
- HAHA smart coolers: $40 a month for software and connectivity, plus 5.95% and $0.05 per transaction on all sales.
What the monthly fee covers
The $40 monthly fee keeps the cooler connected and running its AI checkout. It covers the AI recognition software, the mobile app you use to watch sales and stock, and the cloud connection. On Vendera it also includes the Vendera VMS (vending management system).
What processing costs
| Vendera | HAHA | |
|---|---|---|
| Percentage of each sale | 5.85% | 5.95% |
| Per-transaction fee, credit card | None | $0.05 |
| Per-transaction fee, debit card | $0.22 | $0.05 |
| Monthly software and connectivity | $40 | $40 |
Worked examples
These examples assume an average transaction of $6.00. Vendera’s cost depends on how many of your customers pay with a debit card, so it’s shown two ways: every sale on a credit card, and every sale on a debit card. Your real mix will fall somewhere in between.
| Transactions per month | Monthly sales | Vendera, all credit | Vendera, all debit | HAHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | $600 | $75.10 (12.5%) | $97.10 (16.2%) | $80.70 (13.4%) |
| 300 | $1,800 | $145.30 (8.1%) | $211.30 (11.7%) | $162.10 (9.0%) |
| 600 | $3,600 | $250.60 (7.0%) | $382.60 (10.6%) | $284.20 (7.9%) |
How the 300-transaction Vendera examples add up: $40 monthly fee + $105.30 (5.85% of $1,800) = $145.30 when every sale is on a credit card. If every sale were on a debit card, add $66.00 (300 × $0.22) for $211.30.
How the 300-transaction HAHA example adds up: $40 monthly fee + $107.10 (5.95% of $1,800) + $15.00 (300 × $0.05) = $162.10.
Which brand costs less to run?
It depends on your debit card mix. At a $6 average sale, Vendera’s fees come out lower when fewer than about 1 in 4 transactions are on debit cards. Above that, HAHA’s come out lower. The monthly fee is the same $40 on both, so the difference is all in processing.
The monthly fee is fixed, so fees take a smaller share of sales as a location gets busier.
What’s not a monthly fee
- Shipping: a one-time flat $350 per cooler ($400 for double-door models) to the continental US, for HAHA and Vendera alike.
- Training: every cooler includes a free year of VendingBusiness101 operator training, a $349 value.
- Financing: if you finance through Affirm, that payment is separate from these fees.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a monthly fee on a smart cooler?
Yes. Both HAHA and Vendera coolers carry a $40 monthly software and connectivity fee.
What are Vendera’s processing fees?
Vendera charges 5.85% on all transactions. There is no per-transaction fee on credit cards. Debit card transactions add $0.22 each.
Which brand has lower fees?
At a $6 average sale, Vendera is lower when fewer than about a quarter of transactions are on debit cards, and HAHA is lower above that. The table above shows both ends of the range.
Do I need my own card reader or merchant account?
You don’t need to buy a card reader. Every HAHA and Vendera cooler we sell comes with its card reader included and pre-installed, and card processing is covered by the fees above. Your quote spells out every ongoing cost.
Request a quote to get your delivered price and a full list of ongoing costs for the model you want. See also Vendera prices and fees, Vendera vs HAHA and what a smart cooler costs.