DigitalSignage.com vs Xibo (2026): Hosted Free Plan vs Self-Hosted Open Source
Quick answer: pick Xibo if you can run a server and want unlimited screens with no per-screen fee, full data ownership and open source code. Pick DigitalSignage.com if you want nothing to host and a permanent free tier of 3 screens. It also runs on Raspberry Pi, macOS, iPad and any browser, which Xibo does not. DigitalSignage.com is $3 per screen per month after the free 3, about $1,692 in year one for 50 screens. Self-hosted Xibo is $0 in software, plus your server and any paid player licences.
Try the free plan side by side with Xibo. DigitalSignage.com gives 3 screens free forever, no credit card, no ads, no watermark, so you can run both on the same TV for a week and decide.
Create your free account DigitalSignage.com pricing
Side by side
| DigitalSignage.com | Xibo | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | First 3 screens free forever, hosted, no credit card, no ads, no watermark, 1 GB storage, about 90% of features | Self-hosted server free with unlimited screens, open source; Xibo Cloud paid, see vendor |
| Entry price | $3 per screen per month (Plus+), volume pricing via a public calculator | $0 self-hosted plus your server; Android, webOS, Tizen and Chrome OS players are paid licences; Xibo Cloud paid, see vendor |
| Year-one software cost, 10 screens | $252 | $0 self-hosted with Windows or Linux players; server and player licences extra, not published |
| Year-one, 50 screens | $1,692 | $0 self-hosted; server and player licences extra, not published |
| Year-one, 100 screens | $3,492 | $0 self-hosted; server and player licences extra, not published |
| Player platforms (official apps) | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, Android TV and Google TV, Chrome OS and Chrome OS Flex, Raspberry Pi (Pi 5 optimized), iPad, any web browser | Windows (free, AGPLv3), Linux (community x86-64 snap, no commercial support), Android (7+ boxes and commercial SoC displays), Chrome OS, LG webOS 3.2+, Samsung Tizen SSSP6+; no Raspberry Pi, macOS, browser player, Apple TV, iOS, BrightSign or Roku; Android TV not mentioned in the docs |
| Hosting | Cloud, or on-premise mediaSERVER at a one-time $895 | Your own server, or Xibo Cloud (paid, see vendor) |
| Editor and templates | SignStudio browser editor, 180+ templates, multi-zone, dayparting, live widgets (weather, RSS, social, calendars, Google Sheets, QR, XML/JSON) | Browser layout designer for complex layouts and datasets |
| Enterprise features | Proof of play, white-label, SSO, priority support, sub-accounts, emergency override, open API and SDK | Full control and data ownership when self-hosted; others not published |
| Own hardware | Any listed platform; no vendor hardware required | Any listed platform, plus your own server |
| In business since | 2006, MediaSignage Inc., California | not published |
Year-one figures: software only, 12 months, minus DigitalSignage.com's 3 free screens. Sources: vendor pages verified September 2026 and the State of Digital Signage Pricing 2026 dataset.
Where Xibo wins
- No per-screen fee when self-hosted. 500 screens cost the same as 5 in software; you pay for the server and any player licences.
- Full control and data ownership. The server and data are yours, and the Windows player is open source under AGPLv3.
- Complex layouts and datasets. Xibo's designer handles data-driven, multi-region layouts.
- Commercial SoC displays. Paid players for LG webOS 3.2+ and Samsung Tizen SSSP6+ run on the display itself; SignPlayer has neither.
- A mature open-source community. Forum answers and community players come with the project.
Where DigitalSignage.com wins
- Nothing to host. 3 screens free forever, hosted, no credit card, no ads, no watermark. Xibo's free option means running your own server.
- Every player included. $3 per screen per month covers all SignPlayer apps. Xibo sells Android, webOS, Tizen and Chrome OS players as paid licences.
- Platforms Xibo does not cover. Raspberry Pi (Pi 5 optimized), macOS, iPad, Android TV apps and any web browser.
- On-premise with vendor support. mediaSERVER is a one-time $895 license for networks that cannot use the cloud.
- Editor and track record. 180+ templates, dayparting, live widgets and emergency override, from a company operating since 2006.
Switching from Xibo
- Download the originals from the Xibo CMS library; layouts do not transfer.
- Rebuild each layout in SignStudio on a free DigitalSignage.com account, mapping Xibo datasets to the Google Sheets, XML or JSON widgets.
- Install SignPlayer on Windows PCs, Linux x86-64 boxes, Android boxes and Chrome OS devices.
- Replace what SignPlayer cannot run. LG webOS and Samsung Tizen displays on Xibo's SoC players need a $30 to $60 Android TV stick or a Raspberry Pi.
- Pair each player with the code SignStudio shows, then run both systems for a week on one screen.
- Retire the Xibo server and cancel any Xibo Cloud or player licence subscription once every screen is paired.
Related guides
- Xibo alternatives
- Xibo vs Yodeck
- Best free digital signage software 2026
- Digital signage cost per screen 2026
- Digital signage player compatibility matrix 2026
- Free plan changelog 2026
- State of Digital Signage Pricing 2026 dataset
Frequently asked questions
Is DigitalSignage.com better than Xibo?
It depends on who runs the server. Xibo fits a team with IT staff, a server budget and a need for data ownership or complex data-driven layouts. DigitalSignage.com fits anyone who wants nothing to host, or screens on Raspberry Pi, macOS, iPad or a browser. It also wins when 3 free screens and a $3 rate beat a server plus paid player licences.
Which is cheaper, DigitalSignage.com or Xibo?
Self-hosted Xibo with Windows or Linux players is $0 in software at any screen count. You still pay for the server and any Android, webOS, Tizen or Chrome OS player licences. DigitalSignage.com is $0 for 3 screens, then about $252 in year one for 10, $1,692 for 50 and $3,492 for 100, with every player included. Xibo Cloud is paid; its rate is not in our dataset.
Can I use my Xibo player hardware with DigitalSignage.com?
Partly. Windows PCs, Linux x86-64 boxes, Android boxes and Chrome OS devices can run the free SignPlayer. LG webOS and Samsung Tizen displays on Xibo's SoC players cannot. Put a $30 to $60 Android TV stick or a Raspberry Pi behind them.
Does Xibo have a free plan like DigitalSignage.com?
Xibo's server is free and open source when self-hosted, with unlimited screens and a free Windows player. Its Android, webOS, Tizen and Chrome OS players are paid licences, and Xibo Cloud hosting is paid. DigitalSignage.com's free plan is hosted: 3 screens free forever, no credit card, no ads, no watermark, all players included.
This guide is maintained by MediaSignage Inc., the operator of DigitalSignage.com, which is one of the vendors compared. Xibo's player list and licence model come from its public documentation. Last verified September 18, 2026.