OnSign is compatible with a wide range of hardware platforms. This guide describes the characteristics of each supported platform to help you evaluate which one fits your deployment scenario.
Quick Reference
| Platform | Typical use | 4K | Kiosk Mode | Built into screen? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Android | Wide range of deployments — broad hardware variety at different price points | ✓ | ✓ | No |
| Windows | Complex content, high performance, multi-instance setups | ✓ | ✓ | No |
| BrightSign | Permanent installations, 4K, video walls | ✓ (select models) | ✓ | No |
| Samsung Tizen | All-in-one commercial displays with no external player | Graphics capped at 1080p | ✓ | Yes |
| LG webOS | All-in-one commercial displays with no external player | ✓ | ✓ | Yes |
| macOS | Testing, low-volume deployments, existing Mac hardware | ✓ | — | No |
| Raspberry Pi | Budget deployments, low-traffic displays | — | — | No |
| Linux | Custom or managed hardware environments | Depends on hardware | — | No |
| Chrome OS | Existing Chromebook / Chrome device fleet | — | — | No |
Android
Android covers the widest range of hardware options — from entry-level sticks to high-performance media players — across a broad range of price points. OnSign has extensive testing coverage on Android devices.
Key capabilities
- Wide hardware variety at different price points
- Kiosk mode support via Samsung Knox (on Samsung devices) and other MDM tools
- GPS and sensor integration support
- SPM (Secure Player Mode) for locked-down deployments
- Multi-instance support on select devices
- Support for interactive content, touch screens, and triggers
Things to consider
- Requires an external media player connected to the screen via HDMI
- Android TV devices (e.g. Xiaomi Mi Stick) are not supported — only standard Android
- For tablet deployments, Samsung tablets with Knox support offer broader remote management options
Windows
Windows players run on standard PCs and mini PCs, offering high processing power and flexibility. Suitable for deployments that require complex content rendering, multi-screen setups, or running multiple independent player instances on a single machine.
Key capabilities
- High performance for web-based apps and complex compositions
- Multi-instance support — run multiple independent players on one machine
- Full 4K support
- Kiosk mode via OnSign Kiosk configuration
- GPS support
- Can be installed on any Windows laptop or desktop for testing purposes
Things to consider
- Requires 64-bit Windows 10 or Windows 11 — 32-bit is no longer supported
- Requires an external PC or mini PC connected to the screen
→ Installing Windows Player Software
BrightSign
BrightSign devices are purpose-built hardware for digital signage, designed for 24/7 operation with no moving parts. Common in high-traffic or permanent installations where hardware reliability and image quality are primary concerns.
Key capabilities
- Designed specifically for 24/7 signage operation
- True 4K support on select models (e.g. XD5 supports a 4K graphics plane)
- Video wall support
- GPS support
- Sensor and IoT integration (Nexmosphere, serial devices)
- Remote installation and management via BSN.cloud
Things to consider
- Higher upfront hardware cost
- Requires firmware 8.4.14 or newer
- Setup involves more steps than other platforms
→ Installing BrightSign Player Software
Samsung Tizen (SSSP)
Samsung's professional signage screens have the player built directly into the display — no external media player is required. This simplifies cabling and installation in environments where a clean setup is important.
Key capabilities
- No external player required — player runs inside the screen
- Commercial-grade displays designed for 24/7 operation
- Kiosk mode support
- E-Paper display support (select models)
Things to consider
- Only compatible with Samsung Professional Signage displays (SSSP4 / Tizen 2.4+) — not consumer Smart TVs
→ Installing the Tizen Player Software
LG webOS
Like Samsung Tizen, LG's Smart Signage Platform has the player built into the screen. Suitable for deployments using LG commercial displays where a self-contained setup is preferred.
Key capabilities
- No external player required
- Commercial-grade displays designed for 24/7 operation
- 4K support
Things to consider
- Only compatible with LG Smart Signage Platform displays — not consumer LG Smart TVs
- Requires webOS 3.0 or newer
→ Installing on webOS 4.0 to 8.0
macOS
The macOS player runs on Intel and Apple Silicon Macs. It can be used for testing or in deployments where Mac hardware is already available. Installing on a laptop is a convenient way to explore OnSign before committing to dedicated hardware.
Key capabilities
- Supports both Intel and Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3) processors
- Full 4K support
- Video wall support
Things to consider
- Macs are not designed for permanent 24/7 signage operation
- No kiosk mode equivalent to Android or Windows
→ Installing macOS Player Software
Raspberry Pi
Raspberry Pi is a low-cost single-board computer that can run the OnSign player. Suitable for low-traffic, non-critical displays where hardware cost is a primary constraint.
Key capabilities
- Very low hardware cost
- Supported boards: Raspberry Pi 3B, 4, and 5
Things to consider
- Performance is limited — 1280x720 on Pi 3B, up to 1080p on Pi 4/5
- Raspberry Pi 5, despite hardware improvements, is less capable than an entry-level Android player
- Not suitable for programmatic advertising — media decoding capabilities are insufficient
- Requires Raspberry Pi OS 11 (Bullseye) or 12 (Bookworm) with X11 display server — Wayland is not supported
- Dual monitor output is not supported
→ Installing Raspberry Pi Player Software
Linux
The Linux player runs on standard Linux distributions and is suited for organizations that manage their own hardware fleet or have specific infrastructure requirements.
Key capabilities
- Runs on standard Linux distributions
- Suitable for custom-built or managed signage hardware
Things to consider
- Setup requires more technical knowledge than other platforms
Need more information?
For a full list of supported devices and minimum version requirements, see Supported Devices. For hands-on setup instructions for your platform, visit the Quickstart Guides by Platform.