Scan, Pay and Go vs Other Cashierless Store Technologies: Which Fits Your Retail Strategy?

Not every checkout innovation is worth the cost. And in retail, “frictionless” often comes with a tradeoff that’s usually between practicality and complexity.

From kiosks to smart carts to AI-powered stores, cashierless store technologies have become the new standard of convenience.

But if you’re trying to decide which in-store retail technology is right for your business, the flashiest option isn’t always the smartest one.

We know that this decision is not going to be easy and straightforward. That’s why

Let’s break down the most common cashierless store technologies and see how they stack up, especially when compared to a more flexible, scalable solution like Scan and go.

Cashierless Store Technologies: What Are Your Options?

Before you choose, it’s important to understand what cashierless store technology exactly means. Let’s explore different technologies that are usually found in different stores

Self-Checkout Kiosks

These are fixed stations typically placed near store exits. Customers scan their items, pay using a card or digital wallet, and bag their products before leaving. The kiosks are integrated with the store’s POS system and may require limited staff oversight.

Smart Carts

Smart carts are shopping carts equipped with built-in barcode scanners, cameras, weight sensors, and touchscreens. Shoppers scan items as they place them in the cart, track their total in real time, and pay directly through the cart before exiting.

Just Walk Out (Sensor-Based Stores)

This model uses a combination of ceiling-mounted cameras, computer vision, and shelf sensors to detect what customers pick up and put back. The system automatically charges customers when they exit the store, often via a linked app or account.

Scan and Go

This model lets customers use their smartphones to scan products as they shop and pay within the app before walking out. No hardware overhaul. No store redesign. Just a simple, mobile-first experience that meets customers where they already are.

How Scan and Go Stacks Up: A Factor-by-Factor Comparison

Let’s now compare these four technologies across the practical dimensions that matter most to your business.

Affordability and Setup Cost

• Scan and Go: Minimal hardware or renovation required. Operates through the customer’s device, using existing store infrastructure.
• Self-Checkout: Requires investment in kiosks and peripherals, along with POS integration.
• Smart Carts: High capital cost per cart, plus charging stations and ongoing maintenance.
• Just Walk Out: Extremely high setup cost. It requires AI infrastructure, sensors, and a full-store redesign.

Verdict: Scan and go stands out for its cost-efficiency and minimal capital expenditure. It enables retailers like you to launch a cashierless store without heavy infrastructure or tech burden.

Implementation Complexity

• Scan and Go: Fast and flexible deployment. Easy app rollout and limited training required.
• Self-Checkout: Medium complexity. It requires kiosk installation, staff onboarding, and POS sync.
• Smart Carts: Complex backend integration, staff training, and physical space planning.
• Just Walk Out: Highly complex. Demands architectural changes, advanced calibration, and high technical support.

Verdict: Scan and Go apps offer the simplest path to frictionless in-store checkout, which makes it ideal for multi-location rollouts and operational agility.

Customer Adoption and Learning Curve

• Scan and Go: Most users are already comfortable using smartphones while shopping. The interface is intuitive and familiar.
• Self-Checkout: Widely adopted but can be slow and error-prone.
• Smart Carts: Visually impressive but unfamiliar and occasionally confusing.
• Just Walk Out: Seamless for repeat users, but unclear for first-time shoppers unfamiliar with the process.

Verdict: Scan and go technology is clearly the most user-friendly of the four—low learning curve, high repeat usage, and zero intimidation factor.

Security and Shrink Management

• Scan and Go: Can include spot checks, receipt validation, and digital tracking to manage risk.
• Self-Checkout: Commonly associated with high shrink due to unattended usage.
• Smart Carts: Security depends on cart tech and proper usage by customers.
• Just Walk Out: Monitors every movement, but is still prone to tech misreads and gaps.

Verdict: With the right deterrents in place, Scan and go systems provide a balance between operational trust and smart oversight, without adding surveillance burden or costly hardware.

Scalability Across Store Formats

• Scan and Go: Easily adapts to large supermarkets, small convenience stores, and even temporary retail setups.
• Self-Checkout: Limited by space and queue management requirements.
• Smart Carts: Best suited for large-format stores with wide aisles.
• Just Walk Out: Requires a fixed layout and is difficult to scale across multiple store types.

Verdict: Scan and go is the most flexible solution because you can implement it without changing your store layouts.

Read more: Optimize Your Store Layout with Mobile Self-Checkout Solution

Loyalty, Personalization, and Data Insights

• Scan and Go: Integrates seamlessly with loyalty and rewards programs, enables personalized offers, and gives access to detailed customer behavior data.
• Self-Checkout: Limited personalization. Mostly restricted to transaction data.
• Smart Carts: Some in-cart promotions are possible, but backend coordination is complex.
• Just Walk Out: Offers minimal personalization unless paired with a mobile app.

Verdict: Scan and go helps you unlock rich customer insights and drive repeat engagement through loyalty integration, without extra hardware or friction.

Which Cashierless Technology Fits Your Store?

Not every store needs futuristic carts or computer vision. Here’s a clear-eyed look at when each solution makes sense.

Choose Scan and Go if:

• Your customers are already mobile-first.
• You want a fast, affordable rollout.
• You care about loyalty and personalization.
• You need a solution that works in different store formats without starting from scratch.

Choose Self-Checkout if:

• You have space for kiosks and a predictable checkout flow.
• Your team is already familiar with POS systems.
• You’re upgrading from traditional counters but are not ready for mobile-first yet.

Choose Smart Carts if:

• You’re experimenting with premium store formats.
• You have the budget and operational capacity to manage and maintain the carts.
• You want to test real-time promotions or upselling during shopping.

Choose Just Walk Out if:

• You’re building a tech-first flagship or concept store.
• You have the capital and internal tech team to handle full integration.
• You’re targeting a highly urban, app-savvy customer base.

Final Thoughts: Smart In-Store Checkout Should Also Be Smart Business

Frictionless in-store checkout shouldn’t come at the cost of complexity or capital. Many retailers don’t need camera grids, smart carts, or six-figure setups to deliver a better in-store shopping experience.

What most stores need is a solution that customers get instantly. And something that stores can roll out quickly, affordably, and at scale.

That’s what a scan and go solution delivers.

And with solutions like [Scan ‘N’ Thru], you get a scan and go system that’s built for all types of stores.

Besides, it works with your existing setup, integrates with your loyalty programs, and gives your customers the experience they expect—fast, simple, and secure.