Baobab

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What Baobab is

Baobab is a free, open-source digital signage system for TVs, office screens, storefront displays, and internal monitors. It runs on a user’s computer or local server instead of requiring paid cloud hosting, Firebase, or AWS. Users upload MP4 and WebM videos, apply automatic TV-oriented optimization with ffmpeg, and arrange ordered playlists with enabled or disabled items. Playlists can be assigned to individual screens with separate player URLs and compatibility profiles. Playback diagnostics show connections, playlist and media requests, response status, video details, TV IP addresses, and player errors. Profiles cover Samsung Tizen, MagicInfo and URL Launcher, LG webOS, Android TV and Chromium, normal browsers, low-power TVs, and direct streaming. An optional Windows Electron app embeds the admin panel and includes local IP, TV URL, backup, log, and diagnostic controls. Baobab stores its database in SQLite, keeps uploaded videos as files, and includes local backups. It is distributed under the MIT license and provides API access. The project is designed for trusted local networks and documents protections for internet exposure.

Who it suits

Baobab suits organizations managing local digital-signage screens from their own computer or server. It fits teams comfortable configuring TV browsers, player engines, and network security.

What it does well

Runs without paid cloud, Firebase, or AWS
Supports MP4 and WebM video uploads
Per-screen playlists and compatibility profiles
Detailed playback diagnostics
Optional Windows admin application

What to know first

No advanced analytics
No mobile app
No DRM
TV compatibility depends on player engines

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Baobab	Open-source · runs on your own computer or local server · not a multi-tenant SaaS	Free

As github.com lists them, read 12 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Verdict

Baobab provides local control over video signage with playlists, diagnostics, backups, and multiple TV profiles. Its free MIT-licensed model is practical for trusted networks, but advanced analytics, mobile access, and DRM are absent.

Facts from Baobab's own pages

API access: Yes · github.com, 21 Sept 2026
Content tools: The system supports MP4 and WebM uploads, automatic TV-friendly optimization with ffmpeg, and ordered playlists with enabled or disabled items. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Content types: MP4,WebM videos · github.com, 21 Sept 2026
Desktop app: An optional Windows Electron app embeds the admin panel and provides controls for local IP, TV URLs, backups, logs and diagnostics. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Diagnostics: Playback diagnostics report TV connections, playlist and media requests, response status, video details, TV IP address and player errors. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Free plan: Yes · github.com, 21 Sept 2026
Hosting: It runs on the user's computer or local server and does not require paid cloud, Firebase or AWS. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Integrations: TV playback can use a TV browser or URL launcher, including MagicInfo, webOS browser and Android TV browser. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
License: The project is distributed under the MIT license. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Limits: The project states that it has no advanced analytics, no mobile app and no DRM, and TV compatibility depends on each TV's browser or player engine. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Mobile app: No · github.com, 21 Sept 2026
Purpose: Baobab is an open-source local digital signage system for TVs, office screens, storefront displays and internal monitors. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Screen management: Users can assign playlists to screens, use per-screen player URLs and choose per-screen TV compatibility profiles. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Security: Baobab is designed for trusted local networks; before internet exposure, its documentation recommends HTTPS behind a reverse proxy, changing the admin password, setting a long random session secret and restricting access to the admin panel. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Storage and backups: Baobab uses SQLite for its database, stores uploaded videos as files, and includes local backups. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Support: The repository's support guide directs users to GitHub Issues for bug reports and feature requests. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
TV compatibility: The documentation lists profiles for Samsung Tizen, MagicInfo and URL Launcher, LG webOS, Android TV and Chromium, normal browsers, low-power TVs and direct streaming. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026

Where Baobab stands on Freedom251

Digital Signage Software#45 of 207