A vending machine can be profitable in Singapore, but nobody can promise it. Whether it makes money depends on four things: the machine, the location, what it sells, and how many people use it each day.
This guide shows how to think it through before you buy, using AIVS's own published prices. It also covers what you still need to find out, because AIVS does not publish sales figures for its machines and will not guess them for you.
What is the short answer?
- Yes, it can make money when enough people use the machine at a price they're happy to pay, and the costs stay below what it takes in.
- No, it isn't automatic. A machine in a quiet corner can earn very little, even if the machine itself is good.
- What you control: which machine you buy, where it goes, and how well it's kept stocked and working.
What decides whether a vending machine makes money?
1. The machine and its price per use
Each sale brings in a fixed amount. With AIVS's two machines:
| Machine | What a customer pays | Time per use | Machine price |
|---|---|---|---|
| AI Printbox | S$15 per custom phone case | 3 minutes | from S$5,000 (refurbished, 1-year hardware warranty) |
| Topi Express | S$5 per helmet clean | 5 minutes | from S$1,800 (refurbished, 6-month hardware warranty) |
A higher price per use means fewer sales are needed to cover the machine. A cheaper machine means less money at risk to start. See AI Printbox and Topi Express, or the prices page.
2. The location
This usually matters more than anything else. The machine needs people who want the product right there:
- AI Printbox works where people shop and wait, like malls and airports. AIVS has 13 AI Printbox machines live, including AMK Hub, Changi Airport Terminal 3 (Arrival Hall and Basement 2), City Square Mall, Parkway Parade and The Centrepoint. See all AI Printbox locations.
- Topi Express works where riders already stop, like motorcycle shops and workshops. AIVS has 6 live, including Hodaka Motoworld, which has run 24 hours a day since 22 Aug 2025. See all Topi Express locations.
All live sites are on the locations page.
3. Your running costs
Write these down before you decide:
- Location fee or revenue share agreed with the host (it varies by site).
- Consumables: blank phone cases, or disinfectant for helmets. AIVS supplies stock at cost.
- Support plan: from S$99/month with AIVS.
- Electricity, if the host doesn't include it. See how much electricity a vending machine uses.
- Your time for restocking and checks.
4. Royalties and fees
Many franchise models take a cut of every sale. With AIVS you own the machine, with no franchise fee and 0% royalties, so the sales are yours after your costs. See franchise vs owning your own machine.
How do you work out your own numbers?
You don't need AIVS's figures to test a site. Use your own estimate:
- Pick a daily sales estimate for the site, and be careful with it. Use a low number, a middle number and a high number.
- Multiply by the price per use (S$15 or S$5) to get daily sales.
- Take off monthly costs: location share, stock, the S$99/month support plan and anything else on your list.
- Compare with the machine price (from S$5,000 or S$1,800) to see how long it might take to cover it.
If the low estimate only works with a long wait to cover the machine, that site is a risk. Read the risks of a vending machine business before you commit.
How does AIVS lower the risk?
This is not the same as a guarantee.
- Refurbished machines, so a lower starting cost than new.
- Training included.
- Stock supplied at cost.
- A live dashboard to track sales from your phone.
- Support plan from S$99/month.
- Self-service machines, so there are no staff costs.
None of these makes a machine profitable by itself. They reduce the costs and surprises around it. If you are weighing time as well as money, read can you run a vending machine business part-time, and is a vending machine passive income.
Frequently asked questions
Is a vending machine business profitable in Singapore?
It can be, but it depends on the machine, the location, the price per use and how many people use it. AIVS doesn't publish income or profit figures and doesn't guarantee earnings.
Can a vending machine make money in Singapore?
Yes, when enough customers use it at the right price and costs stay below sales. Location is usually the biggest factor.
How much does it cost to start?
AIVS machines start from S$1,800 (Topi Express) and S$5,000 (AI Printbox). The support plan is from S$99/month. See how much a vending machine costs in Singapore.
Do I pay royalties with AIVS?
No. You own the machine, with no franchise fee and 0% royalties.
How do I know if a location will work?
Ask AIVS about the site and the type of foot traffic, then run the low, middle and high sales estimate above. WhatsApp AIVS on +65 8335 4865.
Thinking about a machine? WhatsApp AIVS on +65 8335 4865 to talk through machines and locations.