Skip to main content

Getting Started FAQ: 35 questions answered

Quick answer

DigitalSignage.com is a hosted cloud digital signage platform run by MediaSignage Inc. since 2006. You need a screen with HDMI, a player device (Windows, Mac, Android, Chrome OS, Raspberry Pi, iPad or a web browser) and a free account: the first 3 screens are free forever, with no credit card, no ads and no watermark, and paid screens start at $3 per screen per month.

About DigitalSignage.com​

What is DigitalSignage.com?​

DigitalSignage.com is a hosted cloud digital signage platform for designing content in a web browser and playing it on screens anywhere. You build layouts in SignStudio, a drag-and-drop web editor with 180+ templates, and the free SignPlayer app shows them on a TV or monitor through a Windows, Mac, Android, Chrome OS, Raspberry Pi or iPad device, or any modern web browser. Every screen is managed remotely from one account, and the first 3 screens are free forever.

Who owns DigitalSignage.com?​

DigitalSignage.com is operated by MediaSignage Inc., a privately held company founded in 2006 and headquartered at 5776-D Lindero Cyn Rd #182, Westlake Village, California 91362. The software is built in-house in Los Angeles rather than licensed from another vendor. The company answers a toll-free line, +1-877-344-7446. Besides the cloud service it sells mediaSERVER, an on-premise edition for networks that cannot use the cloud.

Is DigitalSignage.com legit?​

Yes. DigitalSignage.com is run by MediaSignage Inc., a California company that has operated the platform continuously since 2006. You can check it without paying anything: the free account needs no credit card, the price calculator is public and needs no login, and the company answers a toll-free number, +1-877-344-7446. It is listed on Capterra (under the product name mediaCLOUD), G2, Trustpilot and AlternativeTo, although the third-party review count is still small. Company facts and reviews

Is DigitalSignage.com cloud software or something I install?​

It is hosted cloud software. You design and schedule content in SignStudio, which runs in a web browser, and your content is stored on mediaCLOUD, the DigitalSignage.com hosting. The only thing you install is the free SignPlayer app on the device behind each screen. It is not open source; developers get an open REST API and SDK instead. Organizations that must keep everything on their own servers can buy mediaSERVER, a one-time $895 on-premise edition plus per-player licenses.

What is the difference between SignStudio and SignPlayer?​

SignStudio is the web editor where you create and schedule content; SignPlayer is the app that plays it on the screen. You open SignStudio in a browser, build scenes from templates with drag and drop, arrange them into playlists and schedules, and publish. SignPlayer runs on the device connected to the display, downloads the content, keeps a local copy and plays it. One SignStudio account controls many SignPlayer screens in different locations.

What is the difference between DigitalSignage.com, MediaSignage and mediaCLOUD?​

DigitalSignage.com is the brand and product name; MediaSignage Inc. is the company that operates it; and mediaCLOUD is the name of its cloud hosting tier, which is why directories such as Capterra list the product as mediaCLOUD. SignStudio, the editor, and SignPlayer, the player app, are the two parts you use day to day. mediaSERVER is the on-premise edition and mediaHYBRID combines the cloud with a local server.

What are the downsides of DigitalSignage.com?​

There are a few honest trade-offs. It is do-it-yourself: you supply your own screens and player devices rather than plugging in a preconfigured vendor player. SignStudio is a full editor with scenes, playlists and schedules, so there is a learning curve compared with the simplest template apps. Free-tier support is self-service, the number of third-party reviews is still small, and there is no Amazon Fire TV or Fire Stick app today.

What you need for digital signage​

Who uses DigitalSignage.com?​

DigitalSignage.com is used across retail, restaurants and quick-service chains, healthcare, K-12 schools and universities, corporate offices, government and public services, hotels, gyms, churches, manufacturing and warehouses, transit, banks and many other settings. Typical uses are menu boards, lobby and reception screens, school notice boards, queue and wayfinding displays, and promotions in stores. The free 3-screen plan suits small businesses, while Enterprise and mediaSERVER serve multi-site and on-premise networks.

What do I need to start with digital signage?​

You need a screen with an HDMI input, a player device, an internet connection for setup and updates, and signage software. The screen can be a TV you already own. The player can be an Android TV stick or box, a Raspberry Pi, a Chromebox, a Windows PC, a Mac, an iPad or any modern web browser. DigitalSignage.com is free for the first 3 screens, so a first screen on an existing TV can cost only the player.

What is a good first project for digital signage?​

Start with one screen that replaces something you already update by hand, such as a printed menu, a notice board, a price list or a welcome sign in reception. One screen shows you how long content really takes to maintain and which features you use before you buy more hardware. Keep the first layout simple: a large headline, one image or video, and a clock or weather widget, readable from where people actually stand.

Do I need an IT department to run digital signage?​

No, not for a small network. A few screens need only a free account, a player device per screen and a working internet connection, and the setup is designed for non-technical staff. IT help becomes useful as the network grows: putting players on their own network segment, keeping player devices updated, and managing user permissions across locations. Signage players only make outbound connections, so no inbound firewall ports need to be opened.

Which player should I buy for my first screen?​

For most first screens, a $30 to $60 Android TV or Google TV stick or a Raspberry Pi is the cheapest reliable choice, and a Chromebox, old Windows PC or Mac you already own costs nothing. All of them run DigitalSignage.com SignPlayer. Do not buy an Amazon Fire TV Stick or Amazon Signage Stick for it, because there is no Fire OS app today. For screens that run all day, a purpose-built player such as the mediaDROID-100, $295 list, is rated for continuous operation. Best Android player

What types of content does DigitalSignage.com support?​

Almost any visual content: images, videos, text, web pages, YouTube videos, HTML5, and live data widgets for weather, RSS news, social media, stock prices and sports scores. Layouts can split one screen into several zones, for example a video beside a menu with a news ticker below, in portrait or landscape. Content can change by time of day with dayparting, and touch screens can run interactive kiosk apps. DigitalSignage.com includes 180+ templates to start from.

Can I set up digital signage myself or do I need an installer?​

Most people set up the software themselves; an installer is only needed for the physical work. Creating an account, installing SignPlayer, pairing the screen and publishing a template takes minutes and needs no technical background. Mounting is where professionals help: a do-it-yourself install runs about $50 to $200 per screen, while an installer charges about $200 to $500 when an outlet is nearby, and more if power and data cables must run through walls or ceilings.

Is DigitalSignage.com easy for beginners?​

Mostly yes for simple screens, with an honest caveat. Starting from one of 180+ templates, a beginner can change the text and images with drag and drop and publish in minutes. SignStudio is also a full editor with scenes, campaigns, scheduling and multi-zone layouts, so advanced work has a learning curve compared with the simplest template-only apps. Free video tutorials that need no login, plus the documentation, walk through each step.

Signing up and your first screen​

How do I sign up for DigitalSignage.com?​

Open the free signup page at galaxy.signage.me/signstudio/getstarted/template, pick a starting template and create an account with your email address. There is no credit card step and no trial clock. Accounts live in SignStudio on galaxy.signage.me rather than on the marketing site. Once you are in, install SignPlayer on the device behind your screen and register it to the account. Create a free account

Do I need a credit card to use DigitalSignage.com?​

No. The free plan covers the first 3 screens forever and asks for no credit card, so you can build content, register players and run real screens without entering payment details. Payment only comes up when you choose to add a fourth screen or move to Plus+ or Enterprise. The public price calculator also works without an account, so you can see what a larger network would cost before deciding.

How do I log in to DigitalSignage.com?​

Log in to SignStudio at galaxy.signage.me/signstudio/login with the email and password you signed up with. SignStudio runs in the browser, so you can manage screens from any computer without installing anything. The players do not need a login once registered; they stay linked to your account and pick up changes automatically. SignStudio login

How long does it take to set up a digital signage screen?​

The software side takes about five minutes with a TV you already own. The steps are: create the account, install SignPlayer on the player device, enter the registration code it shows into SignStudio, pick a template, edit the text and images, and publish. Most of the real time goes into the content itself. Mounting a new screen, running power and cabling, or flashing a Raspberry Pi card adds time on top.

How do I connect a screen to my DigitalSignage.com account?​

You pair it with a registration code. Install and open SignPlayer on the device connected to the screen, and it displays a short code. In SignStudio, open Screens, add a screen, enter that code and give the screen a name such as Lobby Display. The player is then linked to your account, downloads its assigned content and shows its status in SignStudio. Step-by-step setup

How do I put content on my first screen?​

Build a scene, add it to a campaign, and assign the campaign to the screen. In SignStudio start from one of 180+ templates or a blank scene, drag in text, images, video, a clock or a live weather or news widget, and save. Then create a campaign, drag the scene onto its timeline, set how long it plays, and assign the campaign to your registered screen. The player downloads it and starts playing within seconds.

Can I test digital signage without buying any hardware?​

Yes. SignPlayer runs inside any modern web browser and on Windows and Mac computers, so you can run a working sign on the laptop or monitor you already have. That lets you build content, try scheduling and see a layout at full screen before buying a player. For a permanent screen, move to a dedicated device such as an Android TV box or a Raspberry Pi so the display does not depend on someone's computer.

Which web browser do I need for SignStudio?​

SignStudio runs in a desktop web browser, and the setup guide recommends Google Chrome. Nothing needs to be installed on the computer you edit from, so you can manage screens from an office PC, a laptop at home or a colleague's machine by logging in. The browser is only for editing and managing; the screens run SignPlayer on their own player devices and keep playing when the editing browser is closed.

The free plan and adding screens​

Is DigitalSignage.com really free?​

Yes. The first 3 screens are free forever, with no credit card, no time limit, no ads and no watermark on the screen. The free plan includes about 90 percent of the feature set and 1 GB of cloud storage. It is a permanent plan, not a trial that converts to paid. Payment starts only if you add a fourth screen or want Plus+ or Enterprise features. Free digital signage

What are the limits of the DigitalSignage.com free plan?​

The free plan is capped at 3 screens and 1 GB of cloud storage, and it includes about 90 percent of the features. The most advanced features, such as proof of play reports, white-label branding, interactive kiosk and touch, IoT triggers, POS integration and SignDashboard multi-account management, belong to the Enterprise plan. Support on the free plan is self-service through the documentation and video tutorials.

Is the DigitalSignage.com free plan a trial?​

No. It is a permanent free tier with no time limit. Many signage vendors offer a time-limited trial that ends in a bill, or a free screen that disappears once you add a second one. DigitalSignage.com keeps the first 3 screens free with no expiry, and you never have to enter a card to keep them running. You can stay on the free plan indefinitely if 3 screens are enough.

What happens when I add a fourth screen?​

The account needs a paid plan for the extra screens. Plus+ starts at $3.00 per screen per month, with the rate adjusting as your total screen count changes, and adds 3 GB of storage and business-class support. DigitalSignage.com's own cost examples keep the first 3 screens free, so 4 screens come to about $3 a month and 10 screens about $21 a month. The public calculator gives the exact figure for any count. Pricing FAQ

How do I add more screens to my account?​

Install SignPlayer on another device and register it with its code, exactly as with the first screen. Up to 3 screens stay on the free plan. For a fourth screen and beyond, upgrade the account to Plus+ or Enterprise; the public price calculator at galaxy.signage.me/signstudio/shopping-cart/price shows the cost for any screen count before you buy. Each screen can show the same content or its own campaign.

No. DigitalSignage.com shows no ads and no watermark or vendor logo on free screens, and the platform as a whole is ad-free. That matters for customer-facing signage such as menu boards, reception screens and storefront windows, where a vendor logo looks unprofessional. The same content you design in SignStudio is exactly what appears on the screen, with nothing added by the platform.

Can I cancel DigitalSignage.com at any time?​

Yes. The DigitalSignage.com pricing page lists both paid cloud plans, Plus+ and Enterprise, as cancel at any time, and the free plan has nothing to cancel because no payment method is on file. The paid rate adjusts automatically as your total screen count changes. For terms on a large or on-premise deployment, call the toll-free line, +1-877-344-7446, before buying. Pricing page

Support, languages and your content​

What support does DigitalSignage.com offer on the free plan?​

Free-plan support is self-service: the documentation hub, a free video tutorial library that needs no login, and community resources. Plus+ adds business-class support, and Enterprise lists phone support among its business advantages. For sales and account questions the company answers a toll-free number, +1-877-344-7446. The docs cover setup on each platform, network requirements and fixes for common problems such as a black screen. Troubleshooting guide

How do I contact DigitalSignage.com?​

Call the toll-free number, +1-877-344-7446, or write to MediaSignage Inc., 5776-D Lindero Cyn Rd #182, Westlake Village, CA 91362, USA. The helpdesk and tutorials are at galaxy.signage.me/signstudio/shopping-cart/helpdesk, and the documentation and video library are public. Because accounts are self-service, most people sign up and set up a first screen without talking to anyone, then call for pricing on a larger network or an on-premise server.

Is DigitalSignage.com available in other languages?​

Yes. The SignStudio editor is multilingual, and DigitalSignage.com publishes localized landing pages in 32 languages, including Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, Hebrew and Hindi, each with native-language pricing and FAQ. Buying guides are also translated into Spanish, French, German and Portuguese. The text on your screens is whatever you type or upload, so you write it in the language your audience reads.

Can I use DigitalSignage.com outside the United States?​

Yes. DigitalSignage.com is a cloud service reached over the internet, so screens can be anywhere with a connection, and the platform serves a global audience with localized pages in 32 languages. Prices are published in US dollars. One account can manage screens in several countries, since each player simply connects to the same account. Check local rules that apply to your screens, such as privacy and accessibility requirements, in each country.

Where can I find DigitalSignage.com tutorials?​

The free video tutorial library needs no login, and the documentation hub covers setup on each player platform, SignStudio scenes and scheduling, integrations, network requirements and troubleshooting. There are also 180+ live example templates to copy from. These self-service resources are the main support channel on the free plan, and paid plans add business-class support on top. Video tutorials

Also in: Español · Français · Deutsch · Português

Last updated on
Try it on your own screens
First 3 screens free forever, no credit card, no ads. Works on the TV you already own with a $30 player, Raspberry Pi, Chrome OS, Windows or iPad. About two minutes to your first screen.
Create free accountSee 2026 pricing