Queue Ticket Machine or Queue App? Which Suits a Small Business
Updated 2 min read
Short answer
For most small businesses, a web-based queue app fits better because it runs on the phone, tablet, and TV you already have, you can try it free, and customers can follow their turn on their phone. A queue ticket machine fits better when customers must take a number on their own with no staff, or when the internet at your business can't be relied on.
A queue ticket machine, or queuing machine, is dedicated hardware: a button or touch screen to take a number, a ticket printer, and a “now serving” display with a speaker. A web-based queue app uses devices you already own.
Side by side
| Ticket machine | Web-based queue app | |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Buy dedicated hardware | Can start free with a phone or tablet you have |
| Setup | Installed on site | Sign up and use it straight away |
| Moving | Hardware has to be taken down | Just take the phone or tablet |
| Customers follow on their phone | Usually not | Yes, by QR |
| Customers take their own number | Yes, by button or touch screen | Depends on the app |
| Without internet | Keeps working | Needs internet |
When a queue app fits better
- A small or medium business with one to a few service points, such as a clinic, repair shop, barbershop, or restaurant.
- You want customers to wait elsewhere and still know when they are called.
- You want to try it first without buying hardware.
When a ticket machine fits better
- Very large crowds who must take their own number, with no staff at the front.
- The internet at your business often drops.
- You need a large, fixed number display, for example in a government office.
A middle way
A queue app can work with devices you already have: an ordinary TV as the calling display with voice, and a thermal printer for paper tickets. With WaitYa, numbers are made by the staff for now. See Setting up a TV display and turning on sound and Using a thermal printer.
Put these steps to work with WaitYa
Numbers, a QR for customers, and calls on a TV display. Core queue features are free, with no time limit.