In 2025 the Croatian National Bank (HNB) withdrew 3,633 counterfeit euro banknotes from circulation, according to the HNB report, and almost half were 50-euro notes. Most counterfeits are easy to spot, but at the end of a long day in a café or shop few people look carefully at every note. That is where money counters help: they count fast, and the better models check whether each note is genuine along the way. This guide is for sole traders, shops, hospitality businesses and holiday-let owners who handle cash every day. We compared seven devices available on Amazon.de, from a detector that checks one note at a time to a machine that counts mixed denominations. For each one we checked whether it is on the European Central Bank's list of tested devices. Prices are live from Amazon.de on 6 October 2026 and range from 92.65 to 634.46 euros.
Quick overview: best money counters 2026
All devices are available on Amazon.de with delivery to Croatia. Click a name for the current price.
| Device | Type | Mixed notes | ECB test | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Safescan 2485-SC | value counter | yes | yes | 479,10 € | Best overall |
| Safescan 155-S | counterfeit detector | totals checked notes | yes | 92,65 € | Every till |
| Safescan 2865-S | value counter | yes | yes | 634,46 € | High volume |
| Ribao BC-40 | value counter | yes | yes | 609,73 € | Safescan alternative |
| Safescan 2250 | piece counter | no | no | 364,88 € | Sorted notes |
| Safescan 1250 | coin counter | yes | not applicable | 187,24 € | Coins |
| Safescan 6165 | money scale | per denomination | not applicable | 230,33 € | Drawer cash-up |
Money counters differ in whether they count mixed denominations, how many counterfeit checks they run and whether they passed the ECB test, so below we break down each device with pros, cons and our opinion.
1. Safescan 2485-SC
Photo: Safescan, Amazon
The Safescan 2485-SC is our best overall pick because it counts mixed euro notes without sorting and has passed the ECB test. It is on the ECB list of tested devices dated 18 September 2026, with a test on 11 August 2026. It counts up to 1,000 notes a minute, recognises currency and denomination on its own, and checks for counterfeits in up to eight ways: UV, metallic thread, magnetic ink, infrared, image, length, width and thickness. The input hopper takes 300 notes. According to Safescan it sends results to an app, and the warranty is three years.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | mixed banknote value counter |
| Speed | up to 1,000 notes/min |
| Checks | up to 8 (UV, thread, MG, IR, image, dimensions) |
| ECB test | yes, 11 Aug 2026 |
| Hopper | 300 notes |
Pros: Safescan's newest value counter with a 2026 ECB test, counts mixed notes without sorting, exports results to an app.
Cons: a hopper of only 300 notes, no Croatian interface, the Amazon price changes often.
Our opinion: For a café or shop counting mixed cash every evening, this is the device that saves the most time. Drop in a stack of notes and you get the total by denomination. When turnover grows, move up to the 2865-S with its bigger hopper.
2. Safescan 155-S
Photo: Safescan, Amazon
The Safescan 155-S is not a counter in the classic sense but a detector that checks one note at a time, in under half a second. It is the cheapest device in the comparison to have passed the ECB test: the G2 and G3 versions are on the ECB list. It checks seven features: infrared, magnetic ink, metallic thread, watermark, colour, size and thickness. It keeps track of the number and total value of checked notes. It measures 15.6 x 12 x 7.6 cm, and with the optional LB-105 battery it runs up to 30 hours without mains power.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | desktop counterfeit detector |
| Speed | under 0.5 s per note |
| Checks | 7 (IR, MG, thread, watermark, colour, dimensions) |
| ECB test | yes (G2 and G3) |
| Battery | optional, up to 30 h |
Pros: the cheapest ECB-tested device, compact enough to sit next to the till, battery option for markets and terraces.
Cons: checks one note at a time, Safescan does not list a UV check.
Our opinion: For a kiosk, salon or farm stall at the market, this is the smartest investment of around a hundred euros. Check 50- and 100-euro notes before you give change. Amazon also has a more expensive listing for the same model, so make sure you buy the one at about 93 euros.
3. Safescan 2865-S
Photo: Safescan, Amazon
The Safescan 2865-S is a counter for places with a lot of cash. The input hopper takes 500 notes, and you can add notes while it counts. The speed can be set to 1,000, 1,200 or 1,500 notes a minute. It runs seven counterfeit checks and counts mixed denominations and mixed currencies. It is on the ECB list as the 2865-S (G2), tested on 4 November 2025. It weighs 6.4 kg.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | mixed banknote value counter |
| Speed | 1,000 / 1,200 / 1,500 notes/min |
| Checks | 7 (UV, IR, MG, thread, image, dimensions) |
| ECB test | yes, 4 Nov 2025 (G2) |
| Hopper | 500 notes |
Pros: a large 500-note hopper with top-up while counting, fast and ECB-tested, counts several currencies in one pass.
Cons: costs over 600 euros, heavy and bulky, Safescan already sells the 2865-SC successor on its own site.
Our opinion: A seafront restaurant in high season or a currency exchange office needs a machine like this. Counting several currencies at once is useful where tourists pay in euros, pounds and francs. For a smaller café the 2485-SC is enough and cheaper.
4. Ribao BC-40
Photo: Ribao, Amazon
The Ribao BC-40 is an ECB-tested value counter that is not a Safescan. It is on the ECB list as the Suzhou Ribao BC-40, with software 0005 and a test on 17 March 2026. It has the biggest hopper in the comparison, 600 notes. It counts mixed denominations at 800 to 1,100 notes a minute, and pieces at up to 1,500. It checks for counterfeits with UV, magnetic, infrared and thread checks plus an image sensor.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | mixed banknote value counter |
| Speed | 800-1,100 notes/min (value), up to 1,500 (pieces) |
| Checks | UV, MG, thread, IR, image sensor |
| ECB test | yes, 17 Mar 2026 (software 0005) |
| Hopper | 600 notes |
Pros: the biggest hopper in the comparison, ECB-tested, an alternative to Safescan.
Cons: more expensive on Amazon.de than in the US, a weaker service network in the EU, the software must match the tested version.
Our opinion: If you want a high-capacity counter but not a Safescan, the Ribao is the main ECB-tested alternative we found on Amazon.de. After buying, check the software version. The ECB test only applies to the tested version.
5. Safescan 2250
Photo: Safescan, Amazon
The Safescan 2250 is a piece counter for notes already sorted by denomination. It counts 1,000 notes a minute but does not total the value of mixed notes. It checks for counterfeits in three ways: UV light, magnetic check and size. It is not on the ECB list of tested devices. The input hopper takes 150 notes, and it has add and batch functions for bank deposits.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | sorted banknote counter |
| Speed | 1,000 notes/min |
| Checks | 3 (UV, MG, size) |
| ECB test | no |
| Hopper | 150 notes |
Pros: simple and robust, counts any currency, batch function for bank deposits.
Cons: notes must be sorted first, basic checks without an ECB test, a small 150-note hopper.
Our opinion: If you already sort notes by denomination and just need to count bundles for the bank quickly, the 2250 does the job. It is not enough for counterfeit checking, so pair it with the 155-S detector. For mixed cash the 2485-SC is better.
6. Safescan 1250
Photo: Safescan, Amazon
The Safescan 1250 counts and sorts mixed euro coins into eight cups, one per denomination. It counts 220 coins a minute and shows the total value and number of coins per denomination. According to Safescan it stops automatically when a cup is full. It does not check whether coins are genuine; it sorts them by size. The ECB list covers only banknote devices, so it does not apply to coins.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | coin counter and sorter |
| Speed | 220 coins/min |
| Sorting | 8 cups by denomination |
| Counterfeit check | no |
| Dimensions | 35.5 x 33 x 26.6 cm, 5 kg |
Pros: sorts mixed coins into eight cups, affordable, ideal for tips and coins for the bank.
Cons: slower than the 1450, no coin check, other currency versions are also listed on Amazon.
Our opinion: Bakeries, cafés and car washes collect a lot of coins, and counting them by hand takes time. This counter does it while you close the till. When buying, make sure you get the EUR version.
7. Safescan 6165
Photo: Safescan, Amazon
The Safescan 6165 is a scale that counts money by weight. Put coins or notes of one denomination on it and it works out the amount, so you can count a whole cash drawer in about a minute. It also recognises coin rolls and deducts the starting float. It weighs only 0.54 kg, and with the optional LB-205 battery it runs up to 30 hours. It does not check for counterfeits. According to Safescan it updates for free via a computer.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | money counting scale |
| Counting | coins and notes, per denomination |
| Extras | recognises coin rolls, deducts the starting float |
| Counterfeit check | no |
| Weight | 0.54 kg, battery up to 30 h |
Pros: the fastest drawer cash-up for a small café, compact and quiet, counts both coins and notes.
Cons: no counterfeit detection, money must be placed per denomination.
Our opinion: For a waiter closing a shift, this is the most practical device on the list. Pair it with the 155-S detector and you get fast counting and checking for about 320 euros. For larger amounts of paper money, a proper value counter is better.
How to choose a money counter: mixed notes, checks and the ECB test
First decide whether you need mixed-denomination counting. Cheaper money counters only count pieces, so notes have to be sorted first, while better money counters do the sorting for you. Value counters like the Safescan 2485-SC and Ribao BC-40 recognise the denomination themselves and work out the total.
Second is the number of counterfeit checks. Basic money counters use UV light and a magnetic check. Better ones add infrared, the metallic thread, image and dimensions. The more checks, the lower the chance a fake note gets through.
Third is the ECB test. The European Central Bank publishes a list of devices that correctly identified all counterfeits in its test. Under Decision ECB/2010/14 the test is mandatory for banks and others who put notes back into circulation, for example through ATMs. For ordinary shops and cafés it is not mandatory, but it is the best quality benchmark. The test applies to a specific device and software version, so keep the device updated.
Fourth are coins. For coins you need a separate counter or a scale, because banknote money counters do not count coins.
How many counterfeits are there in Croatia
According to the HNB, 3,633 counterfeit euro banknotes were withdrawn in Croatia in 2025, 19.6% fewer than in 2024, with a total face value of 239,230 euros. The most common were 50-euro notes (46%), followed by 20-euro (22.1%) and 100-euro notes (15.8%). 5,523 counterfeit coins were also withdrawn. Across the euro area, the ECB withdrew about 444,000 counterfeit notes from circulation in 2025, or 14 per million genuine notes, according to the ECB. The numbers are low, but for a small café even one fake 50-euro note is a noticeable loss.
Conclusion
Which money counters are best depends on how much cash you count and whether you need to count mixed denominations. For most cafés and shops the Safescan 2485-SC is the best choice, because it counts mixed notes and has passed the ECB test. For every till, the Safescan 155-S detector is also worth it as the cheapest ECB-tested device.
| Category | Pick | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Safescan 2485-SC | 479,10 € |
| Every till | Safescan 155-S | 92,65 € |
| High volume | Safescan 2865-S | 634,46 € |
| Safescan alternative | Ribao BC-40 | 609,73 € |
| Sorted notes | Safescan 2250 | 364,88 € |
| Coins | Safescan 1250 | 187,24 € |
| Drawer cash-up | Safescan 6165 | 230,33 € |
For high-volume restaurants and exchange offices we recommend the Safescan 2865-S, and for those who do not want a Safescan the Ribao BC-40. For coins there is the Safescan 1250, and for a quick end-of-shift count the 6165 scale.
Before you buy money counters, estimate how many notes you count each day and whether they are sorted. If the ECB test matters to you, check the device version on the ECB list.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best money counters for a café?
For a café the best money counters count mixed denominations, like the Safescan 2485-SC, because there is no need to sort notes. For a small café with little paper money, the Safescan 6165 scale and the Safescan 155-S detector are enough, for about 320 euros in total.
What does it mean that a device passed the ECB test?
It means the European Central Bank tested the device and it correctly identified all the counterfeits in the test. The ECB publishes a list of such devices with the software version and test date. The test only applies to the listed version, so the device should be updated.
Is the ECB test mandatory for shops?
No. Under Decision ECB/2010/14 it is mandatory for banks and those who put notes back into circulation, for example through ATMs. For shops, cafés and sole traders it is not a legal requirement, but it is the most reliable benchmark for a detector's quality.
How does a counter spot fake banknotes?
Money counters use several sensors. UV light checks fluorescent features, a magnetic sensor checks magnetic ink, an infrared sensor checks special ink layers, and other sensors check the metallic thread, dimensions and thickness. The more checks a device runs, the more reliable it is.
Do banknote counters count coins too?
No. Banknote counters only count paper money. For coins you need a separate counter like the Safescan 1250, or a money scale like the Safescan 6165, which counts both coins and notes by weight.
Which banknotes are counterfeited most often in Croatia?
According to the HNB, the most commonly counterfeited notes are 50-euro notes, which made up 46% of all counterfeits in 2025. They are followed by 20-euro notes at 22.1% and 100-euro notes at 15.8%. So check 50- and 100-euro notes especially carefully.
How we chose
We chose the money counters in this guide by counting type, number of counterfeit checks, speed, hopper capacity and whether they are on the ECB list of tested devices dated 18 September 2026. We checked the data on the official Safescan and Ribao sites, in the HNB counterfeit report and on live Amazon.de listings. We included value counters, a detector, a piece counter, a coin counter and a scale, because different businesses have different needs. Safescan dominates because it is the manufacturer most represented on the ECB list and on Amazon.de. We did not test the devices physically. Prices are live from Amazon.de on 6 October 2026 and subject to change.
Sources and references
- ECB - list of successfully tested banknote authentication devices (18 Sep 2026): ecb.europa.eu
- HNB - data on counterfeits withdrawn from circulation in 2025: hnb.hr
- ECB - number of counterfeit euro banknotes remains low in 2025: ecb.europa.eu
- Decision ECB/2010/14 on authenticity checking of euro banknotes: eur-lex.europa.eu
- Safescan - banknote counters: safescan.com
- Ribao - BC-40: ribaotechnology.com