What Is the Cost of Installing Smart Lockers?

Smart locker installation costs typically range from $5,000 to $12,000 in the first year, depending on the unit type, service model, and included features. The total cost varies significantly between buying the hardware outright and subscribing to an all-inclusive locker-as-a-service solution. 

When evaluating smart locker pricing, the cost alone doesn’t tell the full story. The true investment lies in how the locker is installed, supported, and scaled over time.

Disclaimer: All pricing examples in this article are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent a formal quote or total solution cost. Actual pricing will vary depending on the vendor, hardware model, selected features, deployment scale, and subscription terms.

Smart locker as a service vs locker as a product 

Whether you're managing tech in a school, higher ed institution, or a workspace, one of the first questions you'll need to answer is: Do you want to buy the hardware outright — or subscribe to a service that includes everything? Let’s find it out.  

There are two primary pricing models in the smart locker market today: 

• Locker as a product (CapEx): You purchase the physical unit and pay separately for everything else — installation, setup, support, and more. 

• Locker as a subscription (OpEx): A flat annual fee covers the smart locker, services, and software — removing the need for piecemeal budgeting. 

Below is a breakdown of what each model looks like over the first year of use. 

Product model: Higher upfront costs, fragmented services 

Purchasing a smart locker outright often looks appealing at first glance. But the total smart locker cost quickly increases once you factor in all the additional services required to make the locker functional and maintain it over time: 

This model leaves you responsible for coordinating vendors, managing support contracts, and planning for eventual disposal — none of which are included in the initial purchase.

Subscription model: LocknCharge approach 

By contrast, the smart locker subscription model offered by LocknCharge consolidates all these costs into a predictable annual fee. For approximately $5,000 per year depending on your package, you receive: 

• The physical locker (e.g. 15-bay unit) 

• Professional installation and networking support 

• Shipping to your location at no charge 

• Cloud-based software with regular feature updates 

• Ongoing hardware coverage for the full length of your subscription

• Ongoing technical support and proactive maintenance 

• Free replacement parts, if needed 

• End-of-life pickup and disposal 

There are no extra invoices for freight, setup, software, or service. Everything is built into a single smart locker system, allowing for cleaner budgeting and fewer operational surprises.

Product vs subscription: A side-by-side comparison 

When comparing models, it’s important to look beyond upfront pricing and assess the total cost of ownership (TCO) — including installation, maintenance, support, and eventual disposal.  

If you're weighing smart locker installation models, here’s how the two approaches compare in year one:  

What impacts the final price of a smart locker system? 

Smart locker pricing depends on a wide range of technical, operational, and organizational factors. Use this checklist to understand which elements could influence your final cost. 

Hardware components 

• Number of locker systems or bays required 

• Interface type (touchscreen kiosk, keypad, or none) 

• Connectivity method (Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or cellular) 

Software features 

• User and access management tools 

• Administrative dashboard and remote control 

• Mobile app functionality 

• Analytics, reporting, and audit logs 

• API integration with existing systems 

• Custom feature development if needed 

Site and installation requirements 

• Electrical wiring and network infrastructure 

• Site prep and physical space modifications 

• Delivery and installation services 

• Permits and regulatory compliance (if applicable) 

Ongoing costs 

• Warranty terms and replacement coverage 

• Maintenance and support agreements 

• Cloud storage and software subscription fees 

• System upgrades, security patches, and part replacements 

Scale & customization 

• Number of deployment locations 

• Custom branding and design 

• Accessibility features (e.g. ADA compliance) 

• Multi-language and localization support 

Additional considerations 

• Training for administrators and support staff 

• Integration with existing IT or business systems 

Why subscription-based smart lockers are gaining ground 

Organizations choosing a smart locker subscription model benefit from a simplified lifecycle — covering everything from setup to ongoing software improvements.  

The shift toward locker-as-a-service isn’t just about lowering costs — it’s about aligning with how modern IT infrastructure is deployed and remotely managed. 

Here’s why forward-looking organizations are moving away from traditional locker ownership: 

• Predictability in budgeting. With a fixed, annual fee, subscription lockers remove the uncertainty of surprise repair costs, software add-ons, or shipping delays. This makes it easier to secure funding, especially in education or public sector environments with strict budget cycles.
  
  
• Always current, never outdated. In a product model, your locker software is frozen in time. In a subscription model, your lockers improve year after year — thanks to continuous cloud updates, UI enhancements, and new integrations. Your investment doesn’t depreciate — it evolves.
  
  
• Less burden on internal teams. No more scheduling technicians or managing fragmented vendor relationships. From installation to end-of-life removal, the subscription model minimizes IT overhead and maximizes uptime. 
  
  
• Easy to scale. Need more lockers next year? Subscription-based deployments are modular — adding units doesn’t require new software purchases or on-site overhauls. You grow as your needs grow. 

Choosing the right model for your needs 

LocknCharge’s convenient smart locker subscription provides an end-to-end solution. Hardware, software, support, and lifecycle planning are all built in — making it an ideal fit for organizations looking to deploy smart charging infrastructure without added complexity. 

FAQs 

How much does it cost to install a smart locker? 

The cost to install a smart locker typically ranges from $5,000 to $12,000 in the first year. The exact figure depends on the pricing model. A subscription-based approach includes all necessary services in a flat annual fee. A hardware-only model may appear cheaper initially but often results in higher total costs due to installation, software, support, and other add-ons. 

What is included in a smart locker subscription? 

A smart locker subscription with LocknCharge includes the locker hardware, installation, cloud-based software with ongoing updates, a seven-year warranty, remote technical support, shipping, and end-of-life removal. Everything needed to deploy and maintain the system is covered in a single yearly payment. 

What are the hidden costs of buying a smart locker? 

When you purchase a smart locker outright, hidden costs can include shipping and freight, installation services, one-time software fees, post-warranty repairs, replacement parts, and final disposal. These expenses are typically excluded from the base hardware price and can significantly increase your total cost of ownership. 

Do smart lockers require internet access to work? 

Yes, most smart lockers — especially those that offer cloud-based management, real-time reporting, and remote control — require either a Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection. LocknCharge smart lockers are built to integrate smoothly with your existing IT infrastructure to support these functions. 

How long does a smart locker last? 

Physically, a smart locker may last between five to ten years. However, the longevity of the system’s software and cloud functionality depends heavily on the pricing model. In product-based models, features can become outdated without paid updates. Subscription-based models ensure the system remains current and secure through continuous software updates.