Anthias review
A free, open-source signage option for basic playback and scheduling on self-hosted hardware.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Anthias is free, open-source digital signage software for Raspberry Pi devices, 64-bit x86 PCs, and compatible ARM single-board computers. It suits organizations that want to manage basic signage from a browser while keeping playback and hosting under their control. Content support includes images, videos, web pages, YouTube content, and live streams, with scheduling by date, weekday, and time of day. Playlists can be ordered or shuffled, and uploaded media can play locally when the network drops.
Pricing is straightforward: the Free plan is open source under GPLv2, with no subscription, per-screen license, time limit, or watermark. The published plan structure has no paid edition, so there is no higher tier that adds advanced administration, expanded support, or additional platform features. That makes Anthias a clear fit for budget-conscious deployments where the core requirements are content playback, scheduling, device management, backups, and browser-based administration.
Anthias also provides optional username and password protection, backup and restore for settings and asset lists, and a REST API for managing assets, playlists, devices, and backups. Its listed integration is Balena, while supported platforms center on web, Linux, and self-hosted deployments. The product has no user roles and no mobile app, which can limit suitability for teams needing differentiated permissions or mobile administration. Choose Anthias for low-cost, self-hosted signage with offline playback and automation access; consider another product when broader platform coverage, role-based administration, or a larger integration ecosystem is central to the deployment.
Anthias pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Free under GPLv2 with no subscription or per-screen license
- Supports local playback during network interruptions
- REST API covers assets, playlists, devices, and backups
- Where it doesn't
- No user roles for differentiated access
- Only one listed integration: Balena
- No mobile app and limited platform coverage
Anthias fact sheet, pricing and score →
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