Blogpost was published on April 17, 2024
Digital signage provides a myriad of benefits for businesses of all sizes in just about any industry. However, one of the most common questions from those who haven’t quite made the jump into digital signage is, "How much does digital signage cost?" Today, we'll break down the factors influencing digital signage costs and give you ideas on how to save with your digital signage.
Before we begin to talk about the cost of digital signage, it is important to talk about the components that make up a digital signage installation so you can get an idea of everything you’ll need. For most digital signage installations, you’ll need a screen, a digital signage media player, content management software, and digital signage content.
The screen you choose displays your digital signage. This can be a range of sizes, all the way from tablet size to huge video walls. It can also be just one screen or many screens, and in one geographical location or several locations. Your screens in your digital signage setup will “talk” to your digital signage media player to know what to display and when.
The digital signage media player is essentially a middleman between your screens and the content management software. This is where your digital signage content is stored so that it can be communicated to the screen for display. Some digital signage media players can run multiple screens, and for others, you’ll need one for each screen. Additionally, you have the option of going with a Smart TV, which would give you your screen and media player all in one device.
One of the next important components of your digital signage setup is content management software. The content management software is where you’ll upload, schedule, and manage your digital signage content. Depending on the software you choose, you may even be able to design your digital signage content with it, as you can with Play Digital Signage using the built-in editor.
Finally, the last piece of your digital signage setup is the digital signage content itself! This can be designed by you or professionally created by a graphic designer or marketing specialist. Digital signage content is what is displayed on your screens and seen by your audience.
Now that we understand what goes into a digital signage setup, we can look at the various factors that may affect digital signage cost, as it can vary widely.
One of the main determining factors in how much you’ll need to set aside for your digital signage is what your company’s goals and objectives are. For instance, a business needing just one screen for simple digital signage content is going to have far less cost than a business needing a video wall installation with dynamic animations and graphics. We always recommend outlining your goals and objectives so you can identify what you need prior to shopping for your digital signage setup.
Of course, different digital signage hardware comes in at different price points. The cost of digital signage hardware includes the cost of displays, media players, mounting hardware, and any additional equipment required for installation and operation. High-resolution displays or video walls come at a higher price point compared to standard displays. Outdoor displays are also more expensive than indoor ones, so you’ll need to take into consideration your mounting location, too, when determining your budget.
Digital signage software is essential for content management, scheduling, and remote control of displays. The cost of software can vary based on features, scalability, and subscription models (monthly or annual). When choosing digital signage software, you should look for any features you know you need, whether or not they offer the ability to design content within the software, and whether or not they offer a free trial.
Another factor that can influence the cost of your digital signage is your digital signage content creation. If you are up for the task of creating it yourself, you may not have to spend any additional money, especially if you opt for software like Play Digital Signage, which includes a built-in content editor at no additional cost. However, for those who aren’t the DIY type, creating engaging and professional content for digital signage may involve hiring graphic designers or marketing professionals, the cost of which varies based on the complexity and quality of the work.
Many digital signage setups can be installed and set up yourself, which will save you some dough, but those opting for larger or more intricate installations will likely incur the additional cost of professional installation services, network setup, and ongoing maintenance. This will need to be added to your digital signage budget if you go this route.
While digital signage offers numerous benefits, including enhanced customer engagement and brand visibility, it can also be a cost-effective solution when implemented strategically. Here are some tips on how to save with digital signage.
One of the highest ongoing costs of digital signage is content creation. If you choose not to design content yourself, or even if you do, consider optimizing your content strategy by repurposing existing assets, leveraging user-generated content, and using templates and widgets available on platforms like Play Digital Signage. By minimizing custom content creation, you can reduce expenses while maintaining a compelling visual presence.
Take advantage of remote management capabilities offered by digital signage platforms like Play Digital Signage. Remote control allows you to update content, schedule playlists, and monitor displays from anywhere, reducing the need for on-site personnel and associated costs.
Choose energy-efficient displays and media players to lower operating costs. Look for displays with energy-saving features such as automatic brightness adjustment based on ambient light conditions. Additionally, the schedule displays to power on/off during specific hours to further optimize energy consumption.
Plan for scalability when designing your digital signage strategy. Platforms like Play Digital Signage offer scalable subscription plans that allow you to start small and expand as needed. Avoid overinvesting in hardware and features that may not be immediately necessary, focusing instead on gradual growth aligned with your budget and objectives.
One of the best ways to save with digital signage is by offsetting the cost with advertising. Bring in additional revenue with your digital signage installation by offering advertising spots to other brands and businesses. You can save space on your screens for their advertisement, and in exchange, they can pay to use it. In this case, you offset your cost, and they get to drive extra traffic to their business; it’s a win-win!
By now, you have heard us mention Play Digital Signage a few times, so let us introduce ourselves. Play Digital Signage is a cost-effective and feature-rich content management software for digital signage. Here's a breakdown of Play Digital Signage costs and why it's a valuable choice for businesses.
If you’re a restaurant owner, hotel manager, or café operator wondering about costs, you’ve likely searched for PlaySignage cloud digital signage pricing per screen for small business hospitality — and for good reason. Hospitality businesses often operate on tight margins and need flexible, predictable pricing that scales with growth without locking you into expensive contracts.
PlaySignage uses a simple cloud-based, per-screen subscription model designed exactly for this scenario. You only pay for the screens you actively use, with transparent tiers that let small businesses start affordably and upgrade as they expand:
Current pricing starts at just $8 per screen per month on the Essential plan (with Pro at $12 and Ultimate at $16), and you get volume discounts as you add more screens — the more screens, the lower the effective per-screen cost. Annual billing brings an extra 10% savings, and non-profits or educational hospitality programs may qualify for additional discounts.
What makes this especially appealing for small business hospitality is the low barrier to entry: you can test and design on multiple screens for free before paying anything, and the first screen can often become permanently free after a quick review. There are no setup fees, no long-term contracts, and unlimited storage/traffic across all plans — meaning your cloud digital signage grows with your business without surprise bills.
For a typical small café or boutique hotel, this translates to clear ROI: replace printed menus or static lobby signs with dynamic, remotely updatable content that boosts sales, improves guest experience, and eliminates reprinting costs — all while keeping monthly expenses predictable and tied directly to the number of screens you need.
Ready to see exactly how the pricing fits your hospitality setup? Head to our pricing page, sign up for free, and start building your first playlists today. Most small businesses find they can launch a professional system for far less than they expected.
Play Digital Signage is compatible with a wide range of affordable media players and displays, making it accessible for businesses of all sizes. You can leverage existing hardware or choose from budget-friendly options to minimize upfront costs.
The intuitive interface of Play Digital Signage simplifies content management, scheduling, and remote control. No extensive training or technical expertise is required, saving time, money, and resources since it is easy to manage all yourself.
Access a library of pre-designed templates, widgets, and multimedia content within Play Digital Signage, reducing the need for costly content creation services or paid stock content. Plus, you can customize templates to match your branding and messaging seamlessly.
Ready to experience the power of Play Digital Signage? Sign up for a free account today and explore the possibilities of dynamic digital signage at no cost. With easy-to-use tools, affordable pricing, and a wealth of features, Play Digital Signage is the smart choice for businesses looking to save with digital signage. Sign up in just a few minutes here.
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If you haven’t found what you were looking for here, we still have lots to show you! Check out sample digital signage solutions by industry to see how digital signage fits into your business, case studies from those who have come before you to see how they have taken advantage of digital signage, or reach out to us using the live chat below with any questions you might have!
