Device Agnosticity of PiSignage: Why Hardware Freedom Matters for Modern Digital Signage (2025)

Key Takeaways

• 💡 Device-agnostic digital signage means freedom from hardware lock-in — software that runs seamlessly across Raspberry Pi, commercial players, and smart TVs.
• 💻 PiSignage enables this flexibility, offering the same reliable playback, scheduling, and monitoring across any operating system or hardware setup.
• 🧩 Traditional systems force organizations to buy proprietary hardware; Organizations switching from proprietary signage systems to PiSignage typically reduce total deployment costs by 40–60%, primarily by reusing existing hardware and eliminating recurring player licensing fees.
• ⚙️ Open-source architecture makes PiSignage future-proof, secure, and customizable — trusted by enterprises and schools for large-scale deployments.
• 🚀 With device-agnostic design, IT teams can scale signage effortlessly, even in mixed-device environments with varying network conditions.
• 🌍 Whether you manage 5 screens or 5000+, PiSignage delivers a unified, hardware-independent signage experience — one dashboard, all devices.

Santhosh Kumar is a Staff Engineer at Colloqi, where he helps shape the technology behind PiSignage - a platform trusted for its reliability and performance. With nearly two decades of experience, Santhosh brings a deep understanding of what keeps digital infrastructure running 24/7. His focus on stability, scalability, and user experience ensures that PiSignage continues to deliver dependable, long-term value for businesses across industries.

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Imagine a universal charger that works with any device—iPhone, Android, tablet, laptop—without needing different adapters for each brand. That's exactly what device agnosticity means for digital signage. For busy SMBs, schools, churches, and retailers, this "hardware freedom" isn't just a technical feature; it's a game-changer that saves money, eliminates vendor lock-in, and future-proofs your investment.

In this post, we'll explore how PiSignage makes device independence real—and why it matters for your organization's growth and agility.

1. What Is Device Agnosticity in Digital Signage?

Simple Definition & Everyday Analogy

Device-agnostic digital signage means your content management software works
across any hardware - Raspberry Pi, Android TV, Windows PCs, web browsers—without compatibility issues or vendor lock-in. You choose hardware based on budget and performance needs, not vendor mandates.

Think of device agnosticity like a universal power adapter or USB cable that works with any phone, tablet, or laptop. In digital signage, it means your software platform works seamlessly across different hardware and operating systems—Raspberry Pi, Android TV boxes, Windows PCs, web browsers, and professional signage displays—without forcing you to buy from a single vendor.

Just as Netflix streams on your smart TV, phone, tablet, and laptop with the same account and features, device-agnostic signage software delivers consistent functionality regardless of what hardware you choose.

For organizations managing multiple displays, this translates to real operational freedom: reuse existing screens, mix affordable hardware with premium displays, and replace devices without replacing your entire software ecosystem.

2. Real User Frustrations: Why Device Agnosticity Matters More Than Ever

Digital signage professionals—from school IT admins to AV integrators—share a common set of frustrations across forums and community discussions. These aren’t hypothetical challenges—they’re real, recurring problems that cost organizations time, money, and flexibility.

A discussion on the r/digitalsignage subreddit focuses on identifying a dependable digital signage player without being tied to a particular CMS platform.

"why does their device not come with a wireless chip?"

The original poster was initially interested in a well-known commercial player, but reconsidered after learning that even basic Wi-Fi functionality required purchasing an additional add-on module.

Common User Frustrations

1. Forced Hardware Replacement When Switching Platforms When switching to a new CMS, many organizations discover that their existing players or SoC displays are incompatible. They’re forced to replace functional hardware just to adopt new software.

• Impact: Thousands lost in unnecessary replacements; locked into vendor-specific models.
• User expectation: Software should adapt to any capable device, not demand new hardware.

Using a player that does not support the required software or desired content severely limits options for content types and compromises the speed of signage transitions and other functions.

This is a phenomenon frequently encountered by system administrators, as detailed in a discussion on r/sysadmin.

2. Cascading Compatibility Issues Hardware–software mismatches cause unstable networks—displays go offline, crash, or distort content. Vendors often blame the network when the real issue is poor hardware abstraction.

• Impact: Constant reboots, corrupted OS installs, frustrated IT teams.
• User expectation: Platforms should handle mixed devices—Windows, Android, SoC—without conflict.

According to Arzopa, hardware and software compatibility issues often cause screens to turn off unexpectedly or show blank areas, highlighting the importance of regular driver and firmware updates

3. Maintenance Costs & Downtime Spirals When systems depend on proprietary hardware, a single failure can bring down screens across locations. Replacement units cost more, and support becomes reactive.

• Impact: Volunteer burnout in churches, wasted staff hours in schools, recurring outages.
• User expectation: Organizations want reliable uptime and the freedom to source affordable replacements.

4. Artificial Complexity to Justify Lock-In Some vendors design software that “works best” only with their own hardware, using network restrictions or proprietary settings to nudge customers into standardizing.

• Impact: IT teams forced to redesign networks for no technical reason.
• User expectation: Software should integrate cleanly with existing networks—not dictate configurations.

5. Hidden Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Bundled pricing hides the real cost of vendor lock-in. What starts as an “affordable” package quickly grows through licensing, upgrades, and mandatory support contracts.

• Impact: 5–10× higher cost over five years compared to flexible systems.
• User expectation: Transparent pricing, separated between hardware and software, with no hidden licensing or forced upgrades.

Why This Matters

Every one of these frustrations stems from hardware dependence. When software is tied to specific devices, upgrades, repairs, and scaling become expensive and painful. Device-agnostic platforms like PiSignage eliminate those points of friction—allowing organizations to reuse hardware, scale freely, and focus on communication instead of compatibility.

3. Why Hardware Freedom Matters for Modern SMBs, Schools, and Churches

Real-World Benefits & Analogies (Example Scenarios)

Cost Savings: Reuse What You Already Own

Device-agnostic signage eliminates the single biggest cost trap: forced hardware purchases. Traditional proprietary systems require expensive media players ($500–$2,000 per display). With PiSignage, organizations reuse existing displays, tablets, or computers—or choose affordable Raspberry Pi units ($35–$75) and Android TV boxes ($50–$150).

Consider a school IT administrator managing 25 displays across three campuses on a $12,000 annual budget. The previous proprietary platform forced a choice: upgrade the software and replace $8,000 worth of perfectly functional hardware, or stay locked into outdated software. After migrating to PiSignage, the administrator retained 80% of the existing hardware, deployed affordable Raspberry Pi units in new classrooms, and saved $6,000 in the first year alone.

Flexibility: Mix Hardware Based on Need, Not Vendor Requirements

Different locations have different needs. A gymnasium requires durable, industrial-grade displays; a church office might use a simple web browser on an existing computer; a retail store might deploy smart TVs with built-in Android.

Device-agnostic platforms let you optimize hardware for each environment rather than forcing standardization. A church can display Sunday announcements on a smart TV in the sanctuary, a tablet in the lobby, and a browser window on the pastor's office computer—all managed from one dashboard.

Scalability: Grow Without Starting Over

Organizations evolve. You start with five screens, then expand to 50. You upgrade displays in high-traffic areas while keeping budget units in back offices. With proprietary lock-in, scaling means committing deeper to one vendor's ecosystem.

PiSignage's device agnosticity means scaling is additive, not disruptive. A gym owner deploying class schedules across 10 locations can use Raspberry Pi units where budgets are tight and Android boxes in flagship gyms—all synchronized through PiSignage Cloud. The first 2 screens are free for life, and the remaining 8 cost just $1.67 per month each.

Whether it’s 2 screens or 2000+ screens managing screens in PiSignage is simple,

We'll see how PiSignage approaches this from both a hardware and CMS flexibility standpoint

4. How PiSignage Achieves Device Agnosticity

PiSignage delivers true hardware independence through several complementary technical approaches—but you don't need to understand the engineering to benefit from it. Here's how it works in simple terms:

Web-Based Communication: PiSignage players communicate with servers using standard web protocols (HTTP/HTTPS over websocket), the same technology that powers websites you use every day. This means any device with internet connectivity can connect to the management system, whether it's running Linux, Android, Windows, or accessing through a browser.

Visit our documentation page for more information

Hardware-Abstracted Media Handling: Instead of requiring proprietary players, PiSignage uses the best media player for each platform—native Android players for Android TV, optimized players for Raspberry Pi, and browser-based rendering for web clients. The software doesn't care which player runs your content; it sends standardized formats (videos, images, HTML) that work everywhere.

Docker Containerization: For self-hosted deployments, PiSignage offers Docker containers that ensure consistent server performance whether you're running it on a Linux server, cloud infrastructure, or your own on-premise hardware. This isolation means the application behaves identically across different environments.

Open Standards and APIs: PiSignage exposes REST APIs with comprehensive documentation, allowing integrations without vendor gatekeeping. This openness means you're never locked into proprietary protocols that prevent hardware flexibility.

The result? One management dashboard, infinite hardware combinations, zero vendor lock-in.

5. Long-Term Cost and Flexibility Advantage:
5-Year Total Cost of Ownership Comparison

According to a Samsung Smart Signage Platform whitepaper on Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), up to 70% of digital signage ownership costs stem from “hidden” hardware dependencies — including external media players, installation, power, and proprietary CMS software.

When these layers are removed, integrated or hardware-agnostic signage architectures show 25–40% lower total cost of ownership within three years, primarily due to simplified installation and reduced maintenance overhead.

PiSignage follows this same open, device-agnostic approach — delivering similar long-term savings and operational flexibility without locking users into a single hardware vendor.

5-Year Total Cost of Ownership Comparison:

Note: PiSignage only provides signage software / CMS not displays. The costs in the table are the average estimated cost.

Data sourced from industry TCO analyses and PiSignage pricing documentation.

The flexibility advantage is equally compelling: hardware can be upgraded or replaced without changing software. When a display fails, you source a replacement competitively instead of paying vendor-inflated prices. When new hardware emerges (faster processors, better displays), you adopt it without re-negotiating software licenses.

• Contact PiSignage team at info@pisignage.com for bulk discount for 50+ screens.

6. Which Devices Are Supported by PiSignage?

Supported Devices and Operating Systems

PiSignage delivers on its device-agnostic promise through comprehensive hardware support across platforms:

Raspberry Pi Family:

• All models from Pi Zero to Pi 5 (Pi 4 or higher recommended for 4K content)
• Official PiSignage player software optimized for Raspberry Pi OS
• Hardware-accelerated video playback for smooth performance

Android Devices:

• Android TV boxes and sticks
• Fire TV Stick
• Chromecast with Android TV
• Tablets running Android 5.0+
• Available via Google Play Store

Intel-Based Systems:

• Intel NUC, mini-PCs, and desktops
• Debian/Ubuntu Linux support
• Windows support via browser-based PWA

Web Browsers (Progressive Web App):

• Chrome, Edge, Chromium on any operating system
• Runs on Chrome OS, Windows, macOS, and Linux
• Zero client installation required

Specialized Hardware:

• Radxa Rock 4C+ single-board computers
• Odroid N2
• Compatible System-on-Chip displays via third-party players

This breadth means organizations choose hardware based on performance needs, budget constraints, and environmental requirements—not vendor mandates.

Consistent Features Across Platforms

A critical question: does functionality degrade on cheaper hardware or different platforms? With PiSignage, All features remain consistent across all supported devices:

Universal Capabilities:

• Content Scheduling: Deploy playlists, set time-based schedules, and manage content calendars identically across Raspberry Pi, Android, and browser-based players
• Offline Playback: All players cache content locally, ensuring displays continue operating even during network interruptions
• Multi-Zone Layouts: Divide screens into regions (video, ticker, sidebar) regardless of hardware platform
• Remote Management: Monitor device health, take screenshots, and push updates from the cloud dashboard to any connected player
• Group-Based Control: Organize displays by location, type, or function—update dozens of screens simultaneously
• Asset Management: Store images, videos, HTML content, and streaming links in centralized media libraries
• API Integration: Connect to external data sources, POS systems, or scheduling tools via REST APIs

See our feature page for more information

Platform-Specific Notes:

Raspberry Pi receives new features first as the lead development platform, followed by Android and PWA implementations. However, all platforms ultimately achieve feature parity—the timeline difference is weeks, not months.

Chromecast requires re-pushing the app after restarts due to platform constraints, but this is a 10-second process. For most organizations, this minor limitation is outweighed by Chromecast's affordability and portability.

7. Deployment Models: Cloud vs. Self-Hosted

PiSignage's device agnosticity extends beyond hardware to deployment architecture, offering flexibility for organizations with different infrastructure requirements:

PiSignage Cloud (Managed Service):

• Players connect to pisignage.com servers via secure websocket connections
• Zero server maintenance—automatic updates, security patches, and monitoring included
• Accessible from any browser, anywhere
• Pricing: $0 for first 2 screens forever; $1.67/month per additional screen (refer to our pricing guide)
• Ideal for organizations without dedicated IT infrastructure

Self-Hosted Open-Source Server:

• Complete server source code available on GitHub (Node.js + MongoDB)
• Deploy on any Linux server (minimum 2GB RAM, 30GB storage)
• Docker containerization for simplified deployment
• Cost: Free software; you pay only for infrastructure (cloud hosting or on-premise hardware)
• Ideal for organizations with strict data policies, air-gapped networks, or existing server infrastructure

Feature Parity Between Models:

Both deployment options support identical player capabilities. The players communicate using standard HTTP/HTTPS protocols, making the backend implementation transparent. Whether you choose cloud convenience or self-hosted control, your screens receive the same features, performance, and reliability.

This architectural flexibility addresses a common pain point: organizations with compliance requirements can self-host for data control, while budget-conscious SMBs benefit from cloud convenience—both using the same player software.

8. Real-World Persona Use Cases

Schools: Safe, Cost-Effective Notifications

The Challenge:
School districts work with stretched budgets, aging infrastructure, and uneven network reliability. IT administrators juggle multiple duties and rarely have dedicated signage support. Proprietary systems often demand expensive standardization—commercial displays plus dedicated media players—costing over $20,000 for a 20-screen setup.

How PiSignage Solves It:
A school network can manage 25+ displays across campuses without new hardware or complex setup.

• Flexible deployment: Use Raspberry Pi units ($50–$75 each) in classrooms, existing Windows PCs in hallways (browser-based), and Android TV boxes in gymnasiums—all managed from one dashboard.
• Consistent messaging: Emergency alerts, schedules, and announcements appear instantly on every screen, regardless of device type.
• Predictable cost: $0 for the first two screens, then $1.67/month per additional screen (~$462/year for 25 displays).
• Scalable growth: Add screens at the same low incremental cost—no vendor approval or hardware standardization required.

Cost Snapshot:💰 Hardware: ~$1,200 total for 25 screens💡 Software: free 2-screen license & $38.41/month (for 23 screens)

Learn more: How to Optimize Raspberry Pi for 24/7 Digital Signage

Churches: Simple, Affordable Communication

The Challenge:
Churches often depend on volunteers with limited technical experience. Complex proprietary systems cause burnout and confusion, especially when there’s no IT team to help. Frequent volunteer turnover means every tool must be easy to learn and manage. Upfront costs—typically $3,000–$8,000 for proprietary systems—make digital signage difficult to justify.

How PiSignage Solves It:
A small church can start with PiSignage’s free 2-screen tier to test the system with zero risk.

• Central control: Manage announcements, event schedules, and weather alerts from a simple web dashboard.
• Flexible setup: Use a smart TV (Android TV) in the sanctuary, a Raspberry Pi in the lobby, and a browser-based player in the office—same dashboard, same content.
• Easy handover: When volunteers change, the next person continues seamlessly with the same interface.

Cost Snapshot:💰 Hardware: ~$150 (Raspberry Pi + accessories)💡 Software: Free for 2 screens; $13.36/month (for 8 screens)

Gyms & Retail Chains: Cost & Scale Benefits

The Challenge:
Gyms and retail operators run on thin margins and constantly look to cut overhead. Proprietary signage systems charge $50–$300 per screen each month—a 10-display setup can cost $6,000–$36,000 per year, excluding hardware. Manual updates across locations consume staff time, and hardware standardization limits sourcing flexibility.

How PiSignage Solves It:
A multi-location fitness chain can cut software costs by over 90% while improving scalability.

• Flexible setup: Use Raspberry Pi units in low-traffic areas (studios, locker rooms) and Android TV boxes in high-traffic zones (reception, workout floors).
• Cost efficiency: Software costs just $1.67/month per screen—$2,400 annually for 120 screens versus $18,000 with proprietary systems.
• Hardware freedom: Replace any player anytime—no vendor markup. Standard Android boxes cost around $80 compared to $400+ proprietary units.
• Centralized control: Marketing teams update schedules, promotions, and campaigns across all locations from one dashboard.
• Time savings: No more manual updates—staff save 15+ hours per week across sites.

AV & Reseller Partners: Flexibility as a Sales Advantage

The Challenge:
AV integrators earn from design, installation, and managed services—not hardware lock-in. Proprietary platforms force them to recommend costly, vendor-specific media players, which limits flexibility and pricing options for clients. When clients feel trapped in an ecosystem, future upgrades become difficult and relationships strained.

How PiSignage Solves It:
AV partners can win more projects and strengthen client trust by offering hardware flexibility.

• Competitive proposals: A 50-screen retail project delivered within a $15,000 budget—competitor quotes were $28,000–$35,000 due to hardware restrictions.
• Hardware freedom: Use Raspberry Pi units for back-office displays (~$50 each) and Android boxes for customer-facing areas (~$120 each).
• Transparent pricing: Hardware total: ~$6,000. Software: ~$1,000/year (50 screens × $1.67/month).
• Service revenue: Integrators earn from setup and content integration—not hardware markup.
• Client satisfaction: Lower long-term costs create repeat business and trust-based partnerships.

Outcome Snapshot:💰 Client saved 45–55% vs proprietary bids🔧 Integrator retained service revenue🤝 Long-term partnership built on flexibility, not lock-in

Healthcare & Hospitals: Reliable Messaging, Real Flexibility

The Challenge:
Hospitals use digital signage for wayfinding, patient education, staff updates, and emergency alerts. However, different departments often operate incompatible systems—radiology may use SoC displays while emergency rooms rely on Windows-based players—making network-wide coordination difficult. Proprietary vendors also phase out hardware every few years, forcing expensive replacements and complicating integration with hospital IT and EMR systems.

How PiSignage Solves It:
Healthcare networks can unify all displays while meeting strict compliance and uptime needs.

• Hybrid deployment: Self-hosted servers manage patient-facing zones for data security, while PiSignage Cloud handles administrative areas—both with identical features.
• Hardware flexibility: Mix Android boxes, Windows PCs, and browser-based players without losing performance. If one hardware type fails, others remain fully functional.
• Seamless integrations: Connect directly to hospital APIs for real-time wait times, alerts, and bed status updates—no vendor restrictions.
• Instant communication: Emergency messages propagate across 200+ displays in under 10 seconds.

Operational Highlights:🏥 Unified communication across departments🔒 Compliance-ready hybrid setup (self-hosted + cloud)⚙️ Zero vendor dependency for integrations

Retail & Mall Operators: Uniform Management, Easy Expansion

The Challenge:
Retail networks and mall operators manage hundreds of screens—directories, promotional displays, tenant boards, and wayfinding kiosks—often using mixed hardware from older deployments. Proprietary systems charge $50–$300 per screen each month, making a 100-screen network cost $60,000–$360,000 annually. Scaling forces either costly hardware standardization or fragmented management across locations.

How PiSignage Solves It:
Multi-location retail groups can centralize and scale affordably with PiSignage.

• Massive cost savings: Annual software cost drops from ~$144,000 to ~$2,400 ($1.67/month × 120 screens)—a 98% reduction.
• Hardware reuse: 70% of existing devices (Android boxes, Windows PCs) remain in use; Raspberry Pi units power new installations.
• Centralized control: One cloud dashboard updates promotions, campaigns, and tenant info across all malls instantly.
• Effortless scaling: Adding new screens for future locations costs the same flat $1.67/month—no penalties or extra licensing tiers.

Transport Display Managers: Instant Alerts, Any Hardware

The Challenge:
Transportation hubs—airports, train stations, and transit centers—rely on hundreds of displays for schedules, wayfinding, and passenger alerts. These screens must pull real-time data from ticketing systems, flight or train schedules, and weather APIs. Proprietary systems often require costly custom integrations and struggle with hardware diversity across new and old terminals. Downtime isn’t an option—every offline minute impacts passenger flow and revenue.

How PiSignage Solves It:
Transit authorities can manage 300+ displays reliably with instant updates across all terminals.

• Real-time updates: PiSignage’s open API architecture connects directly to existing databases and alert systems—no vendor restrictions.
• Instant communication: Schedule changes and emergency messages propagate to all displays in under 5 seconds.
• Hardware flexibility: Mix Android displays in newer terminals, Windows-based players in older stations, and browser-based PWAs in offices. Devices work independently, so single hardware failures don’t disrupt the network.
• Targeted control: Centralized dashboard enables zone-based messaging (per station or per platform) or system-wide alerts from one interface.

Operational Highlights:🚆 Instant updates across 1000+ displays🔧 Seamless integration with scheduling systems💡 Independent device reliability and easy scalability

Real Deployment Insight:
An anonymous factory in the USA has operated its PiSignage-powered screens continuously for more than 1,000 days, confirming long-term reliability even in real-world commercial and factory conditions.

9. Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does device agnostic mean for digital signage?
   Device-agnostic digital signage means your content management software works across any hardware—Raspberry Pi, Android TV, Windows PCs, web browsers, and dedicated signage displays—without compatibility issues or vendor lock-in. You choose hardware based on budget, performance needs, and environment requirements, not vendor mandates.
2. Can I use any display with PiSignage?
   Yes. PiSignage supports Raspberry Pi (although 4 or above is recommended), Android TV boxes and tablets, Intel-based systems running Debian/Ubuntu, web browsers (Chrome, Edge, Chromium on any OS), and specialized single-board computers like Radxa and Odroid. If your display has one of these devices connected, PiSignage manages it.
3. How does PiSignage keep features consistent across devices?
   PiSignage uses web-based communication protocols (HTTP/HTTPS over websocket) and hardware-abstracted media handling. Core features—scheduling, offline playback, multi-zone layouts, remote management, and API integrations—work identically whether you're using Raspberry Pi, Android, or browser-based players.PiSignage feature page
4. Is PiSignage cloud-based or self-hosted?
   Both options are available with identical features. PiSignage Cloud is a managed service ($0 for 2 screens, $1.67/month per additional screen) with automatic updates and zero server maintenance. Self-hosted deployments run on your own Linux servers or Docker containers—free software with complete control over data and infrastructure.
5. How can I scale digital signage easily with PiSignage?
   Add screens in different locations using the same platform, regardless of hardware differences. Deploy Raspberry Pi units where budgets are tight, Android boxes in high-traffic areas, and browser-based players on existing computers—all managed from one dashboard. Scaling costs remain low and predictable: $1.67/month per screen with no volume penalties.

6. Can I switch to PiSignage from another digital signage platform without replacing hardware?
   Yes, if your existing hardware is compatible (Raspberry Pi, Android devices, Windows PCs with browsers, or Linux systems). PiSignage's device-agnostic architecture means you can migrate platforms without replacing displays or players—eliminating the largest switching cost.
   Here's an article by Sixteen:Nine which talks about Painless Migration of Your Digital Signage Network To A New Platform
7. What is the total cost of ownership for PiSignage?
   PiSignage offers 2 free screen licenses forever on creating your account. Scaling up costs only $1.67/month per additional screen. Making it cheaper than a cup of coffee. For a detailed guide read Complete PiSignage Pricing Guide 2025
8. Does PiSignage work offline if internet connection drops?
   Yes. All PiSignage players cache content locally and continue playback during network interruptions. Scheduled playlists run offline until connectivity resumes. This ensures displays in schools, churches, gyms, and retail locations remain operational even with unstable networks.

10. Why Hardware Freedom Is the Future of Digital Signage

PiSignage's device-agnostic architecture empowers SMBs, educators, churches, retailers, healthcare facilities, and AV integrators to deploy, scale, and update digital signage effortlessly—and cost-effectively.

The core promise is simple: Your screens. Your budget. Your control—all with PiSignage.

No more forced hardware purchases. No more vendor lock-in pressures to upgrade devices you don't need to upgrade. No more choosing between software you've outgrown and hardware you can't afford to replace.

Device agnosticity isn't just a technical feature—it's operational freedom that reduces costs by 70–95%, future-proofs your investment, and lets you scale at your pace.

11. Migration Path from Other Vendors to PiSignage

Making the Switch Simple, Risk-Free, and Cost-Effective

Many organizations have invested in displays and screens over the years. When considering a switch to PiSignage, a common concern arises:

"Will we need to throw away everything and start fresh?"

The honest answer is no. PiSignage is designed to work with the hardware you already have—whether it's Android boxes, Windows computers, Raspberry Pi units, or even smart TVs with web browsers.

This section walks you through a straightforward migration approach that works for both small businesses and reseller partners managing multiple client deployments.

Migration in 5 Simple Steps

1. Audit What You Have – Document your current displays, hardware types, and content setup (takes 2–4 hours; most teams keep 70–80% of existing hardware).

2. Prepare Your Content – Export playlists, videos, and schedules in standard formats (MRSS, XML, CSV); PiSignage imports them directly with no conversion needed.

3. Deploy PiSignage Players – Install on your existing Android boxes, Windows PCs, Raspberry Pi units, or browsers; each device connects to your dashboard in minutes.

4. Test with a Pilot – Run 3–5 screens side-by-side with your old system for 2–4 weeks to verify playback, integrations, and staff comfort before full rollout.

5. Roll Out in Waves – Migrate in 25% increments over 6–10 weeks, monitoring each wave before expanding; minimal disruption to operations.

Know that running PiSignage is as simple as uploading a post on Facebook - intuitive, quick, and built for anyone to use, not just IT teams.

Getting Started

For SMBs (Internal Team):

1. Contact support – Email info@pisignage.com to discuss your specific hardware and content.

For Reseller Partners:

1. White-label opportunity – PiSignage supports reseller pricing and branding. Offer migration as a service to your clients.
2. Bulk discounts – Manage 50+ screens? Contact the team for volume pricing.

12. Ready to unlock hardware freedom?

Discover how PiSignage makes digital signage flexible, simple, and future-ready.

• Pricing guide: PiSignage pricing and free tier details
• Technical documentation: PiSignage player setup guides
• Self-hosted option: Setting up PiSignage open-source server
• PiSignage help page: help.pisignage.com
• PiSignage support page for enquiry: info@pisignage.com
• GitHub repository: PiSignage player source code

13. Additional Resources

• Understanding device-agnostic technology
• What are the other players supported by PiSignage
• Can I Use Raspberry Pi for Digital Signage? Full Guide
• How to Optimize Raspberry Pi for 24/7 Digital Signage
• How PiSignage Group Settings Simplify Large-Scale Deployments
• Sync and Run Unified Message on Every Screen Using Domination Playlist Feature