Tilecast is a self-hosted digital signage system for managing screens and scheduled content. Its browser-based Tilecast Studio lets users manage screens, content and schedules. Playlists and multi-zone layouts can combine images, video, websites, widgets and live data, while supported content also includes text, shapes, YouTube and structured data sources. Schedules can target individual screens or groups, and a display can be temporarily taken over. Reusable data sources include calendars, feeds, weather, JSON and CSV. Teams get publishing and review workflows, and integrations can use an API, webhooks and integration tokens; Tilecast also provides Prometheus-compatible metrics. The server runs on hardware controlled by its owner and stores content and settings in PostgreSQL. Setup specifies Docker Engine and Docker Compose v2. The software is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and does not depend on a paid cloud service. Player options are described for Android TV, Fire TV, Google TV, Linux and Windows, with Windows support described as a preview in preparation. The free plan is open source and self-hosted, with no subscription required.
Who it is for
Tilecast suits organizations or individuals who want to run digital signage on hardware they control and schedule varied content across screens. Its team workflows and reusable live data sources may fit teams coordinating content for individual displays or groups.
What is good
- Free, open-source software under AGPL-3.0.
- Schedules content for individual screens or groups.
- Combines playlists and multi-zone layouts with varied content.
- Includes publishing and review workflows for teams.
- Provides an API, webhooks and integration tokens.
What to know first
- Players must be able to reach the server.
- It does not bridge networks or work around network isolation.
- The Windows player is described as a preview in preparation.
Verdict
Choose Tilecast if you want a self-hosted signage system with screen scheduling, team review workflows and varied content sources, without a paid cloud service. Look elsewhere if your players cannot reach the server across your network setup or you need a Windows player beyond its preview status.
Get started with Tilecast
- Visit the Tilecast GitHub page.
- Prepare hardware you control for the server.
- Install Docker Engine and Docker Compose v2 as specified in the setup guide.
- Run the server and manage screens, content and schedules in the browser-based Tilecast Studio.
- Use a player that can reach the server; player options are described for Android TV, Fire TV, Google TV, Linux and Windows.
What the free plan stops at
The free plan requires self-hosting on your own hardware. Each player must be able to reach the server, and Tilecast does not bridge networks or work around network isolation.
Questions about Tilecast
How much does Tilecast cost?
The Tilecast plan is free. It is open source, self-hosted and requires no subscription.
What license does Tilecast use?
Tilecast is licensed under AGPL-3.0.
What platforms have players described?
Players are described for Android TV, Fire TV, Google TV, Linux and Windows. The Windows player is described as a preview in preparation.
What content can Tilecast handle?
It supports images, videos, text, shapes, websites, YouTube, widgets, playlists and structured data sources.
What is needed to set up the server?
The setup guide specifies Docker Engine and Docker Compose v2. The server runs on hardware controlled by its owner.
Does Tilecast require a paid cloud service?
No. Tilecast does not depend on a paid cloud service.
Tilecast plans and pricing
All plansCompared on digital signage software
- Offline playback
- Yes
- Content types
- images, videos, text, shapes, websites, YouTube, widgets, playlists, and structured data sources
- User roles
- advanced
- API access
- Yes
