Digital Signage Pricing Guide
What a screen really costs — software, hardware and setup — and where pricing pages hide the real number.
Short answer: digital signage costs a one-time hardware spend of roughly $0–$400 per screen (less if you reuse a TV you already have) plus a software subscription that usually runs from under $10 to $30+ per screen per month. The software is the part that keeps costing, so it's the number worth comparing carefully. Ranges below are typical US prices in 2026; check current prices for your region.
What goes into the cost of one screen
| Item | Typical cost | One-time or ongoing |
|---|---|---|
| TV or monitor (32–43", consumer) | $0 if you reuse one; often $150–$300 new | One-time |
| Player device (Raspberry Pi, Android TV box, mini PC) | $0 with an old computer; roughly $50–$150 new | One-time |
| Wall mount | Roughly $20–$50, or $0 on a stand | One-time |
| Installation | $0 if you do it yourself; varies by installer | One-time |
| Signage software | Under $10 to $30+ per screen per month | Ongoing |
| Content (design, menus, videos) | Your time, a designer, or templates | Ongoing |
For the full shopping list, see setting up a screen for under $200.
Software: the three things that actually vary
1. Flat rate vs. tiers
Some platforms have one price that includes everything. Most have a ladder — a cheap base tier missing features you'll likely need (scheduling rules, API access, more than one user), and a "Professional" or "Business" tier that actually has them. The sticker price on the homepage is often the base tier, not the one you'll end up paying for.
2. Monthly vs. annual commitment
A lot of advertised per-screen pricing is the annual rate, billed upfront for the year, with a higher price if you pay monthly. Check which number you're looking at before comparing two platforms' "per screen" price.
3. Hardware, bundled or not
Some vendors sell their own player device alongside the software — convenient if you have no hardware today, but it's a separate cost and it locks you into their device. Software-only platforms let you use whatever you already have, or buy the cheapest compatible option yourself.
Hidden costs to look for
- Extra charges for more users, more zones per layout, or video walls.
- Paid add-ons for widgets, integrations or analytics.
- Setup or onboarding fees.
- Storage limits that push you into a higher plan.
- Minimum screen counts or long contracts with early-cancellation fees.
Worked example: software cost for your first year
Hardware is paid once; software is paid every month, so it's where the long-term difference shows. Here's what the first year of CastWize software costs at different sizes (first screen free for 30 days, then $5 per screen per month):
| Screens | Monthly, after the trial | First year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5 | $55 |
| 5 | $25 | $295 |
| 20 | $100 | $1,195 |
| 100 | $500 | $5,995 |
For comparison, a platform at $20–$30 per screen per month would cost $24,000–$36,000 a year for 100 screens in software alone. If you manage screens for several businesses, that gap is most of your margin.
Questions worth asking before you commit
- Is this the monthly price, or the annual price divided by 12?
- What's not included at this tier — scheduling rules, API access, number of users, number of zones per layout?
- Do I need to buy specific hardware, or can I bring my own device?
- Is there a free trial, and does it require a credit card up front?
- What happens to my price if I add or remove screens mid-cycle?
Where CastWize fits
One flat rate: $5 per screen per month, billed monthly, no annual commitment required for that price. Every feature is included at every screen count — no tier to unlock anything. Players run on Android, Windows, macOS, Linux and Raspberry Pi, so you can use hardware you already own. Your first screen is free for 30 days with no credit card required, and adding or removing screens mid-cycle prorates automatically. See the full breakdown on Pricing, or compare with Yodeck and ScreenCloud.
Frequently asked questions
How much does digital signage cost per screen?
There are two parts. Software is a monthly subscription, usually from under $10 to $30 or more per screen per month depending on the vendor and tier. Hardware is a one-time cost: a budget TV plus a player device often comes to roughly $200–$400 per screen, or less if you reuse a TV you already own. CastWize software is $5 per screen per month with every feature included.
What is the monthly cost of digital signage software?
Most platforms charge per screen per month. Base tiers are cheapest but often leave out scheduling rules, multiple users or API access, so the price you actually pay is usually a higher tier. Also check whether the advertised price requires paying for a year upfront.
Do I need special hardware for digital signage?
Usually not. For an indoor screen that runs during business hours, a consumer TV with HDMI and a small player such as a Raspberry Pi, an Android TV box or an old computer is enough. Commercial displays are built for 24/7 or harsh environments and cost much more.
Is there free digital signage software?
Some vendors offer a free plan limited to one screen or with branding, and open-source options exist if you can host and maintain them yourself. CastWize gives your first screen free for 30 days with no credit card, then charges $5 per screen per month.
How much does it cost to run 100 digital signage screens?
Software is the cost that scales. At $5 per screen per month, 100 screens on CastWize cost $500 a month, about $6,000 for the first year. At $20–$30 per screen, the same 100 screens would cost $24,000–$36,000 a year in software alone, which is why flat per-screen pricing matters most for installers and multi-location businesses.
More from the blog
What Is Digital Signage?
What digital signage actually is, how it differs from a TV playing a slideshow, and what it takes to run one.
Set Up a Digital Signage Screen for Under $200
The real hardware shopping list for a first digital signage screen — TV, player, mount — and what to skip.
Digital Signage Buyer's Checklist
The questions worth asking before you commit to a digital signage platform, from pricing model to player hardware.
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