Tablet Counter Finance

Q: Is it worth financing a tablet counter given how inexpensive some models are?

A single counter is often bundled with a wider dispensary equipment purchase, such as a new till system or fit-out, rather than financed alone. Where it's part of a larger order, including it on the same agreement is straightforward, and it lets a pharmacy spread the cost of several smaller dispensary items together rather than paying for each individually. On its own it's rarely worth arranging separate finance, but as part of a broader dispensary purchase it adds very little to the monthly payment while still keeping the counter under warranty from day one.

Q: What's the benefit of an automated counter over a manual counting tray?

An automated bench-top counter counts tablets faster and more consistently than a manual tray, which matters most for a busier pharmacy handling higher dispensing volumes. A smaller pharmacy with lower volume may find a manual or semi-automatic tray perfectly adequate, so the right specification depends on typical daily dispensing volume rather than simply choosing the most automated option available. Some pharmacies also value the more consistent, auditable count an automated device provides when handling higher volumes, though this is a secondary consideration behind simple throughput for most buyers.

Q: Can I finance several tablet counters for a multi-branch pharmacy group?

Yes, a group standardising counters across several branches can finance them all on one agreement, provided each unit is itemised on the supplier's invoice. This is a straightforward way to roll out the same equipment across multiple sites without arranging separate finance for every branch. Grouping the purchase this way is generally more efficient than arranging finance branch by branch, since the lender only needs to review one application covering the full order.

Q: Is hire purchase or a lease better for a tablet counter?

Most pharmacies choose hire purchase, since a tablet counter is a low-cost, long-life piece of dispensary equipment that the pharmacy wants to own outright rather than return. A pharmacy trialling automated counting for the first time sometimes prefers a lease on the initial unit, to see how it performs before committing to further units across other benches. Given how inexpensive most counters are relative to other dispensary equipment, the choice of finance type tends to matter less here than it does for larger purchases such as a dispensing robot or till system.

Q: How quickly can tablet counter finance be approved?

Given the modest cost involved, most applications are approved within 24 hours and are typically same-day, provided the pharmacy has a clean credit history and a straightforward supplier quote. Where a counter is part of a larger dispensary equipment order, approval follows the timeline of the wider application. For most pharmacies, a tablet counter purchase is one of the quickest and least complicated finance applications in the dispensary equipment category.

Spread the cost of a tablet counter from £1,000 to £8,000+ with flexible finance options: HP, lease or refinance.

Can you finance a tablet counter?

Yes, tablet counters are financed as a standard asset purchase, usually on hire purchase or a lease, with the machine itself acting as the security. UK prices typically run £1,000 to £8,000, and most deals are written over 24–48 months with a deposit of around 10–20%. Decisions typically take 24 hours. Used machines are financeable too, usually with a shorter term.

Typical Cost

£1k – £8k

Approval Speed

24 hours

Same-day for < £5k

Rates From

5.0% APR

What would a tablet counter cost per month?

Tablet Counter price (ex VAT) £3,000

Deposit 10%

Agreement term 60 months

Annual interest rate 9%

Balloon payment £0

Your estimate

Indicative only. Not a quote and not an offer of finance.

Pre-filled with a typical tablet counter price. Indicative only, not a quote.

Finance options

Hire Purchase (HP)

Rate: From 5.4% APR
Term: 24–48 months
Deposit: 10–20%
Ownership: Yours at the end
Best for: A pharmacy's bench-top counter, used through most working days and expected to last for years

Finance Lease

Rate: From 5.0% APR
Term: 24–48 months
Deposit: None required
Ownership: Return or buy (balloon payment)
Best for: Bundling a counter with cleaning and calibration accessories into one deductible payment

Operating Lease

Rate: From 5.8% APR
Term: 24–48 months
Deposit: None required
Ownership: Return at end
Best for: A pharmacy trialling automated counting on one bench before rolling it out further

Representative example

On a purchase price of £3,000: a 10% deposit of £300, then 48 monthly payments of £63 at 5.9% APR representative (fixed). Total amount payable £3,324, including the deposit. The rate you are offered depends on your business and the asset.

Machine or specification	Guide price	Type
Manual/Semi-Automatic Tablet Counting Tray	£1,000 – £2,000	Semi-Automatic Tablet Counter
Automated Bench-Top Tablet Counter	£2,500 – £5,000	Automated Tablet Counter
High-Throughput Automated Counter (multi-hopper)	£5,000 – £8,000	High-Throughput Tablet Counter

Tax benefits

Tablet counters qualify for the Annual Investment Allowance, so a purchase or HP agreement can usually be deducted against taxable profit in the year of purchase, and lease payments are deductible in full as they are paid.

Bad credit?

Some specialist lenders consider businesses with imperfect credit histories. You may need a larger deposit or personal guarantee, but options may be available. Fundably may use a soft credit check for matching, which does not affect your credit score. A hard check may happen if you choose to proceed with a lender.

Frequently asked questions

Is it worth financing a tablet counter given how inexpensive some models are?

A single counter is often bundled with a wider dispensary equipment purchase, such as a new till system or fit-out, rather than financed alone. Where it's part of a larger order, including it on the same agreement is straightforward, and it lets a pharmacy spread the cost of several smaller dispensary items together rather than paying for each individually. On its own it's rarely worth arranging separate finance, but as part of a broader dispensary purchase it adds very little to the monthly payment while still keeping the counter under warranty from day one.

What's the benefit of an automated counter over a manual counting tray?

An automated bench-top counter counts tablets faster and more consistently than a manual tray, which matters most for a busier pharmacy handling higher dispensing volumes. A smaller pharmacy with lower volume may find a manual or semi-automatic tray perfectly adequate, so the right specification depends on typical daily dispensing volume rather than simply choosing the most automated option available. Some pharmacies also value the more consistent, auditable count an automated device provides when handling higher volumes, though this is a secondary consideration behind simple throughput for most buyers.

Can I finance several tablet counters for a multi-branch pharmacy group?

Yes, a group standardising counters across several branches can finance them all on one agreement, provided each unit is itemised on the supplier's invoice. This is a straightforward way to roll out the same equipment across multiple sites without arranging separate finance for every branch. Grouping the purchase this way is generally more efficient than arranging finance branch by branch, since the lender only needs to review one application covering the full order.

Is hire purchase or a lease better for a tablet counter?

Most pharmacies choose hire purchase, since a tablet counter is a low-cost, long-life piece of dispensary equipment that the pharmacy wants to own outright rather than return. A pharmacy trialling automated counting for the first time sometimes prefers a lease on the initial unit, to see how it performs before committing to further units across other benches. Given how inexpensive most counters are relative to other dispensary equipment, the choice of finance type tends to matter less here than it does for larger purchases such as a dispensing robot or till system.

How quickly can tablet counter finance be approved?

Given the modest cost involved, most applications are approved within 24 hours and are typically same-day, provided the pharmacy has a clean credit history and a straightforward supplier quote. Where a counter is part of a larger dispensary equipment order, approval follows the timeline of the wider application. For most pharmacies, a tablet counter purchase is one of the quickest and least complicated finance applications in the dispensary equipment category.

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Guides and resources

What Is Asset Finance? HP vs Leasing Operating vs Finance Lease Best Asset Finance Companies Close Brothers Review Lombard Review

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For UK limited companies with at least 3 months’ trading and monthly revenue.