Anthias

Free plan APILinuxSelf-hostedWeb

What Anthias is

Anthias is a free, open-source digital signage platform that you host on Raspberry Pi or PC hardware. It displays images, videos, web pages, YouTube videos, and live video feeds, including offline playback. Scheduling can use date ranges, weekdays, and times of day, with controls for playback duration and playlist order. A local-network web dashboard manages content, previews assets, shows device information, and can restart or shut down the player. The on-device REST API handles assets, device settings, backups, and HTTP integrations, allowing connections to scripts and other tools. Balena supports fleet deployment and over-the-air updates. Supported hardware includes Raspberry Pi 2 through 5 and 64-bit x86 PCs; generic 64-bit ARM boards are supported on a best-effort basis. Each Anthias instance manages one screen through its own dashboard. Password protection is optional and off by default, and the API requires no token by default, so documentation recommends trusted local networks. Community support is available through the forum and GitHub issues.

Who it suits

It suits people comfortable managing individual devices who want free, self-hosted signage. It is also appropriate for Raspberry Pi or compatible PC deployments that need scheduling and API control.

What it does well

Free and open source
Supports images, video, web pages, and streams
Offline playback available
REST API supports automation
Runs on Raspberry Pi 2 through 5

What to know first

Each instance manages one screen
Dashboard password protection is off by default
API is intended for trusted local networks
No mobile app

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Anthias	Free, forever · Free and open source · self-hosted · no per-screen fees	Free

As anthias.screenly.io lists them, read 12 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Verdict

Anthias provides self-hosted signage with broad media support, scheduling, a local dashboard, and automation APIs. Its one-screen-per-instance design and community support model matter for larger deployments.

Facts from Anthias's own pages

API access: Yes · anthias.screenly.io, 21 Sept 2026
API security: The API does not require a token by default and is intended for trusted local networks; the documentation advises against exposing its HTTP port directly to the public internet. · anthias.screenly.io, 12 Oct 2026
Audience: The maker recommends Anthias for people comfortable managing individual devices who want a free, self-hosted solution. · anthias.screenly.io, 12 Oct 2026
Automation: The on-device REST API supports managing assets, device settings, backups, and integrations over HTTP. · anthias.screenly.io, 12 Oct 2026
Compliance resources: Screenly's Anthias Trust Center provides software bills of materials for JavaScript and Python components. · trust.screenly.io, 12 Oct 2026
Content: It can display photos, videos, web pages, YouTube videos, and live video feeds. · anthias.screenly.io, 12 Oct 2026
Content types: images,videos,web pages,YouTube,live streams · anthias.screenly.io, 21 Sept 2026
Dashboard: A web dashboard on the local network lets users manage content, preview assets, view device information, and restart or shut down the player. · anthias.screenly.io, 12 Oct 2026
Free plan: Yes · anthias.screenly.io, 21 Sept 2026
Hardware: Supported hardware includes Raspberry Pi 2 through 5 and 64-bit x86 PCs; generic 64-bit ARM boards are supported on a best-effort basis. · anthias.screenly.io, 12 Oct 2026
Integrations: Anthias supports fleet deployment and over-the-air updates through balena, and its API can connect it to user scripts and tools. · anthias.screenly.io, 12 Oct 2026
Mobile app: No · anthias.screenly.io, 21 Sept 2026
Notable limit: Each Anthias instance manages one screen with its own dashboard; centralized multi-screen management is provided by Screenly instead. · anthias.screenly.io, 12 Oct 2026
Offline playback: Yes · anthias.screenly.io, 21 Sept 2026
Purpose: Anthias is a self-hosted digital signage platform for displaying content on Raspberry Pi and PC hardware. · anthias.screenly.io, 12 Oct 2026
Scheduling: Assets can be scheduled by date range, weekday, and time of day, with control over playback duration and playlist order. · anthias.screenly.io, 12 Oct 2026
Security: Dashboard password protection is optional and off by default, and HTTPS can be enabled with a local certificate, Let's Encrypt certificate, or a user-provided certificate. · anthias.screenly.io, 12 Oct 2026
Support: Anthias is community-supported through its forum and GitHub issues; the FAQ directs users seeking professional support to Screenly. · anthias.screenly.io, 12 Oct 2026
User roles: basic · anthias.screenly.io, 21 Sept 2026

Where Anthias stands on Freedom251

Digital Signage Software#34 of 207