Kiosk Software Platforms
Selecting the right kiosk software platform is critical for deployment success. This comprehensive guide compares leading solutions, explains key features, and provides a framework for selecting the best platform for your needs.
Understanding Kiosk Software
Software Categories
Kiosk Software Stack:
┌─────────────────────────────────────┐
│ KIOSK APPLICATION │
│ (What users interact with) │
│ • Custom app, web app, or │
│ purpose-built kiosk app │
├─────────────────────────────────────┤
│ KIOSK BROWSER/SHELL │
│ (Locked-down environment) │
│ • Restricts user access │
│ • Controls navigation │
│ • Handles peripherals │
├─────────────────────────────────────┤
│ KIOSK MANAGEMENT (MDM/RMM) │
│ (Remote monitoring & control) │
│ • Device monitoring │
│ • Software updates │
│ • Remote troubleshooting │
├─────────────────────────────────────┤
│ OPERATING SYSTEM │
│ (Windows, Android, Linux, Chrome) │
└─────────────────────────────────────┘
Core Capabilities
| Capability | Description |
|---|---|
| Lockdown | Restrict OS access, prevent tampering |
| Browser control | Whitelist URLs, block navigation |
| Remote management | Monitor, update, troubleshoot |
| Peripheral support | Printers, scanners, payment |
| Content management | Update kiosk content/apps |
| Analytics | Usage tracking, reporting |
| Security | Encryption, access control |
Platform Comparison
Enterprise Kiosk Platforms
| Platform | OS Support | Deployment | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| KioWare | Windows, Android | On-prem/Cloud | Enterprise, high security |
| Kiosk Pro | iOS | Cloud | iPad deployments |
| SiteKiosk | Windows | On-prem/Cloud | Windows enterprise |
| Scalefusion | Android, Windows, iOS | Cloud | MDM-focused |
| Hexnode | Android, Windows, iOS, macOS | Cloud | Multi-platform MDM |
| 42Gears | Android, Windows, iOS | Cloud | Android-focused |
| SOTI | Android, Windows, iOS | Cloud | Enterprise MDM |
| Esper | Android | Cloud | Android dedicated devices |
| Samsung Knox | Samsung Android | Cloud | Samsung devices |
Feature Comparison Matrix
| Feature | KioWare | SiteKiosk | Kiosk Pro | Scalefusion | 42Gears |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windows support | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Android support | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| iOS support | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Remote desktop | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Peripheral mgmt | ✓ | ✓ | Limited | ✓ | ✓ |
| Offline mode | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Custom branding | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| API access | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| On-premise option | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
Pricing Comparison
| Platform | Pricing Model | Starting Price | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|---|
| KioWare | Per device, perpetual | $80/device | Custom |
| SiteKiosk | Per device, perpetual | $150/device | Custom |
| Kiosk Pro | Per device, subscription | $24/year | Custom |
| Scalefusion | Per device, subscription | $2/device/mo | Custom |
| Hexnode | Per device, subscription | $1/device/mo | Custom |
| 42Gears | Per device, subscription | $1.99/device/mo | Custom |
| SOTI | Per device, subscription | $4/device/mo | Custom |
| Esper | Per device, subscription | $5/device/mo | Custom |
Platform Deep Dives
KioWare (Windows/Android)
Overview: Industry-leading kiosk system software with deep lockdown capabilities and extensive peripheral support.
Key Features:
- Comprehensive browser lockdown
- Attract loop / screensaver
- Session timeout and reset
- XML-based configuration
- User activity logging
- Peripheral integration (printers, scanners, payment)
- Kiosk server for central management
Best For:
- Enterprise Windows deployments
- High-security requirements
- Complex peripheral configurations
- Financial services, healthcare
Pricing:
- KioWare Lite: $80/device
- KioWare Basic: $150/device
- KioWare Full: $290/device
- Server: $1,500+
SiteKiosk (Windows)
Overview: Comprehensive Windows kiosk solution with browser lockdown and digital signage capabilities.
Key Features:
- Chrome/Edge-based browser
- SiteRemote cloud management
- Digital signage integration
- Customizable user interface
- Payment terminal support
- Multi-monitor support
- Extensive scripting
Best For:
- Windows environments
- Combined kiosk/signage needs
- European deployments
- Point of information
Pricing:
- SiteKiosk Online: Subscription
- SiteKiosk Windows: $150+/device perpetual
- SiteRemote: Additional for cloud management
Kiosk Pro (iOS/iPad)
Overview: Purpose-built iOS kiosk application for iPad deployments with powerful customization.
Key Features:
- Guided Access integration
- Custom idle screen
- JavaScript API for developers
- Remote settings management
- Print support
- Form data collection
- Photo/video capture
Best For:
- iPad kiosks
- Retail and hospitality
- Trade shows
- Small to medium deployments
Pricing:
- Kiosk Pro Lite: Free (limited)
- Kiosk Pro Basic: $24/year
- Kiosk Pro Plus: $49/year
- Kiosk Pro Enterprise: $99/year
Scalefusion (Multi-Platform MDM)
Overview: Unified endpoint management with strong kiosk mode capabilities across platforms.
Key Features:
- Single/multi-app kiosk mode
- Remote cast and control
- Geofencing
- Compliance policies
- App management
- Content management
- Location tracking
Best For:
- Multi-platform environments
- Mobile-first organizations
- Distributed deployments
- IT-managed fleets
Pricing:
- Essentials: $2/device/month
- Growth: $3.5/device/month
- Business: $5/device/month
- Enterprise: Custom
42Gears SureLock/SureMDM (Multi-Platform)
Overview: Comprehensive lockdown and MDM solution with strong Android support.
Key Features:
- SureLock: Device lockdown
- SureMDM: Device management
- SureFox: Kiosk browser
- Hardware key blocking
- App whitelisting
- Remote wipe
- Kiosk mode templates
Best For:
- Android deployments
- Field devices
- Rugged device management
- Global deployments
Pricing:
- SureLock: $2.99/device/month
- SureMDM: $3.99/device/month
- Annual discounts available
Feature Deep Dives
Browser Lockdown
Essential Lockdown Features:
| Feature | Purpose |
|---|---|
| URL whitelist | Only allow specific sites |
| Navigation blocking | Disable back, forward, refresh |
| Address bar hiding | Prevent URL entry |
| Right-click disable | Block context menus |
| Keyboard filtering | Block shortcuts (Alt+Tab, etc.) |
| Download blocking | Prevent file downloads |
| Print control | Disable or control printing |
| Popup handling | Block or allow popups |
Implementation Approaches:
| Approach | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Custom browser shell | Full control | Development effort |
| Chromium-based wrapper | Modern rendering | Memory usage |
| OS-level restrictions | Native performance | Limited customization |
| Virtual machine | Isolation | Resource overhead |
Remote Management
Remote Management Capabilities:
| Capability | Value |
|---|---|
| Device dashboard | Fleet visibility |
| Remote desktop | Troubleshooting |
| Remote reboot | Issue resolution |
| Software push | Updates and patches |
| Alert notifications | Proactive monitoring |
| Log collection | Diagnostics |
| Geolocation | Device tracking |
| Remote wipe | Security |
Management Architecture:
Remote Management Architecture:
┌─────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Management Console │
│ (Cloud or On-Premise Server) │
└──────────────────┬──────────────────┘
│
┌──────────┼──────────┐
│ │ │
▼ ▼ ▼
┌─────────┐ ┌─────────┐ ┌─────────┐
│ Agent │ │ Agent │ │ Agent │
│ Kiosk 1 │ │ Kiosk 2 │ │ Kiosk N │
└─────────┘ └─────────┘ └─────────┘
Communication:
• HTTPS polling (firewall-friendly)
• WebSocket (real-time)
• MQTT (lightweight IoT)
Peripheral Management
Common Kiosk Peripherals:
| Peripheral | Integration Method |
|---|---|
| Receipt printer | USB, Serial, Network |
| Barcode scanner | USB HID, Serial |
| Payment terminal | USB, Serial, IP |
| Card reader | USB, Serial |
| Camera | USB, IP |
| Signature pad | USB, Serial |
| Bill acceptor | Serial, MDB |
| Coin dispenser | Serial, MDB |
| RFID reader | USB, Serial |
Peripheral Monitoring:
- Status detection (online/offline)
- Error alerting (paper out, jam)
- Usage tracking (print counts)
- Firmware updates
- Driver management
Session Management
Session Lifecycle:
Session Management Flow:
IDLE STATE
│ (User interaction)
▼
SESSION START
│ (Activity timer)
│
├──► Continue activity
│ │
│ Timeout warning
│ │
│ ┌────┴────┐
│ │Continue?│
│ └────┬────┘
│ │
│ Yes │ No/Timeout
│ │ │
│ │ ▼
│ │ SESSION END
│ │ │
│ │ ▼
│ │ CLEANUP
│ │ • Clear forms
│ │ • Clear cache
│ │ • Reset state
│ │ • Return to home
│ │ │
│ │ ▼
└────┴──► IDLE STATE
Platform Selection Framework
Requirements Assessment
Functional Requirements:
| Requirement | Questions |
|---|---|
| Application type | Web app, native app, or both? |
| OS requirement | Windows, Android, iOS, Chrome? |
| Offline capability | Must work without network? |
| Peripheral needs | Printers, scanners, payment? |
| User authentication | Required? What methods? |
| Multi-language | How many languages? |
| Accessibility | ADA/WCAG requirements? |
Technical Requirements:
| Requirement | Questions |
|---|---|
| Deployment scale | How many devices? |
| Locations | Single site or distributed? |
| Network | Bandwidth, firewall restrictions? |
| Integration | APIs, databases, systems? |
| Security | Compliance requirements? |
| Management | IT resources available? |
Decision Matrix
Scoring Framework:
| Criterion | Weight | Platform A | Platform B | Platform C |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feature fit | 30% | Score 1-5 | Score 1-5 | Score 1-5 |
| Ease of use | 20% | Score 1-5 | Score 1-5 | Score 1-5 |
| Scalability | 15% | Score 1-5 | Score 1-5 | Score 1-5 |
| Support | 15% | Score 1-5 | Score 1-5 | Score 1-5 |
| Total cost | 10% | Score 1-5 | Score 1-5 | Score 1-5 |
| Security | 10% | Score 1-5 | Score 1-5 | Score 1-5 |
| Weighted Total | 100% | X.XX | X.XX | X.XX |
Platform Recommendations by Use Case
| Use Case | Primary Recommendation | Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Windows enterprise kiosks | KioWare | SiteKiosk |
| iPad retail kiosks | Kiosk Pro | Hexnode |
| Android dedicated devices | 42Gears / Esper | Scalefusion |
| Multi-platform mixed fleet | Scalefusion | Hexnode |
| Samsung device fleet | Samsung Knox | 42Gears |
| Rugged/field devices | SOTI | 42Gears |
| Small business (simple) | Android native kiosk | Kiosk Pro |
| Secure/government | KioWare | Custom solution |
Security Considerations
Security Features Checklist
Device Security:
- Secure boot / verified boot
- Full disk encryption
- USB port lockdown
- Camera/microphone control
- Hardware key blocking
- Tamper detection
Application Security:
- Application whitelisting
- Browser sandboxing
- Download prevention
- Screenshot blocking
- Clipboard control
- Session isolation
Network Security:
- TLS enforcement
- Certificate pinning
- VPN support
- Firewall integration
- Network traffic monitoring
Management Security:
- Role-based access control
- Multi-factor authentication
- Audit logging
- Secure enrollment
- Remote wipe capability
Compliance Considerations
| Compliance | Kiosk Requirements |
|---|---|
| PCI DSS | P2PE payment, no card storage |
| HIPAA | Encryption, audit logs, BAA |
| GDPR | Data minimization, consent |
| SOC 2 | Access controls, logging |
| FedRAMP | Government cloud requirements |
| ADA | Accessibility features |
Implementation Best Practices
Deployment Process
Phase 1: Proof of Concept
- Single device testing
- Core functionality validation
- Integration verification
- User acceptance testing
Phase 2: Pilot
- 3-5 device deployment
- Real environment testing
- Support process validation
- Performance benchmarking
Phase 3: Production Rollout
- Staged deployment
- Monitoring establishment
- Support team training
- Documentation completion
Configuration Management
Configuration Best Practices:
| Practice | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Template-based configs | Consistency |
| Version control | Rollback capability |
| Staged rollouts | Risk mitigation |
| Config validation | Error prevention |
| Change documentation | Audit trail |
Monitoring Setup
Key Monitoring Metrics:
| Metric | Alert Threshold |
|---|---|
| Device online status | Offline > 5 min |
| Application health | Error rate > 1% |
| Peripheral status | Offline/error |
| Storage space | Below 20% |
| Memory usage | Above 90% |
| CPU usage | Above 90% sustained |
| Network connectivity | Packet loss > 1% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Summary
Selecting the right kiosk software platform requires matching capabilities to requirements:
Key Selection Criteria:
- OS support: Match platform to device strategy
- Feature fit: Lockdown, management, peripherals
- Scalability: Growth accommodation
- Security: Compliance requirements
- Total cost: License + management + support
Platform Quick Guide:
- Windows enterprise: KioWare, SiteKiosk
- iPad/iOS: Kiosk Pro
- Android: 42Gears, Esper, Scalefusion
- Multi-platform: Hexnode, Scalefusion, SOTI
Invest in thorough proof-of-concept testing before committing to a platform—the right choice enables deployment success while the wrong choice creates ongoing challenges.