When it comes to digital signage, one of the most common questions businesses ask is: “How much does this actually cost?”
Unlike buying a TV or a USB stick, pricing for digital signage platforms can be confusing. It depends on software licensing, the number of screens, users, and the features your business needs.
Understanding the different digital signage pricing models is essential before choosing a platform like HipDeck.
Why signage pricing is confusing
Many platforms advertise “per screen” or “per location” pricing. But hidden costs exist:
- Content storage and bandwidth
- Support and updates
- Multi-user dashboards
- Offline playback or device caching
Failing to account for these factors often makes the cheapest solution more expensive in the long run.
This is why it’s important to first understand how digital signage software works.
Per-screen pricing
What it is:
You pay a monthly or yearly fee for every screen you manage.
Pros:
- Simple to calculate for a small number of screens
- Easy to scale incrementally
Cons:
- Can become expensive with dozens of screens
- Sometimes includes extra fees for premium features
Best for:
Small businesses with a handful of TVs, such as a single restaurant, retail location, or small office.
This is also the model HipDeck uses, providing flexibility for teams that want to scale without unexpected fees.
Per-location or per-workspace pricing
What it is:
You pay based on a location, team, or workspace, not each individual screen.
Pros:
- Predictable costs for multi-screen locations
- Encourages scaling without increasing per-screen costs
- Often includes multi-user access and advanced features
Cons:
- May feel expensive for a single-screen setup
- Some platforms cap the number of screens per location
Best for:
Businesses managing multiple screens per site, multi-location franchises, or office campuses.
Hardware vs software costs
Pricing isn’t just about software:
- Hardware: TVs, media players, mounts
- Software: License fees, features, support
- Maintenance: Updates, replacements, troubleshooting
A platform like HipDeck lets you use standard hardware (Android TV, Fire TV, web players) and focus on software control — keeping costs predictable while providing full-featured capabilities.
Hidden costs to watch for
Even with the right pricing model, beware of:
- Bandwidth overages
- Additional storage fees
- Support costs for multiple users or devices
- Integration fees (e.g., YouTube, dashboards, web apps)
Platforms that integrate these features natively — like HipDeck — reduce unexpected expenses.
Which model is best for growing businesses?
- Single-location, few screens: Per-screen pricing may make sense
- Multi-screen locations or franchises: Per-workspace pricing can be better, but it will depend on the number of screens at each location. Look for platforms that offer bulk discounts if you have a large number of screens at each location.
- Teams with frequent content changes or remote updates: Look for platforms with playlists, scheduling, and offline playback
Learning how these models work helps businesses understand the real ROI of digital signage instead of just buying a cheap TV.
How HipDeck approaches pricing
HipDeck uses a per-screen model that aligns with real-world usage:
- Scales perfectly with your business needs. Our philosophy is that you should only pay for what you need.
- Include playlists, real-time updates, and offline playback in every plan
This approach simplifies budgeting while giving businesses all the features they need.
For more information, checkout our pricing page. If you're ready to get started with digital signage today, sign up for an account and get one screen free forever
