Donation machine and donation station: what the device needs to do.
Donation machine, donation station or donation device – they usually mean the same thing: a device that accepts donations without staff. In the past these were boxes for coins and notes. Today, modern donation machines accept cards, smartphones and watches while showing your campaign.
Updated: 9 November 2026 · by DAYAA
From coin box to digital donation machine
Classic donation boxes depend on cash – and cash is becoming rarer: according to the Deutsche Bundesbank, only 51 % of all payments in Germany were made in cash in 2023. A digital donation machine accepts donations contactlessly, never needs emptying and shows you every donation in your reports straight away.
What a donation machine should do today
- Contactless giving by girocard, credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay and smartwatch.
- A clear screen with your campaign, your logo and suggested amounts.
- Stand unattended and secure – with a lockable housing.
- Report donations in real time and create reports automatically.
- Be easy to change without technical knowledge: new campaign, new amounts, new images.
Which design for your donation station?
For an entrance without floor space, the wall terminal Dayaa Wall is ideal; for a foyer, the freestanding column Dayaa Tower; where space is tight, the slim stand Dayaa Stand. If you want to take your donation station with you, choose the mobile Dayaa Go. You will find a comparison in our guide Digital donation kiosk.
What does a donation machine cost?
You buy the device once, based on a quote. At DAYAA the software costs from €15 net per month depending on donation volume, and card fees are charged by SumUp. From three devices you can also pay in 12 monthly instalments at 0 % interest. More in our guide What does a donation terminal cost?.
Frequently asked questions
Which donation terminal suits you?
Free, no-obligation advice – by email, phone or WhatsApp.
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