Anthias is the free, open-source way to run digital signage on a Raspberry Pi. Install it on a Pi you already own, connect the Pi to any screen over HDMI, and manage what plays from a simple web dashboard. There are no subscriptions and no per-screen fees, and your content stays on your own network.
Why run digital signage on a Raspberry Pi?
A Raspberry Pi is small, quiet, cheap, and sips power, which makes it ideal for a screen that runs all day. With Anthias, one Pi behind a display becomes a self-contained sign that loops your content and keeps running unattended for months.
- Free and open source. Formerly Screenly OSE, developed in the open since 2012 and one of the most widely deployed signage projects in the world.
- Self-hosted. No cloud account required. You control the device and the content.
- Runs on hardware you have. Raspberry Pi 2 through Pi 5, and ordinary x86 PCs.
What you can put on screen
From the dashboard you upload an image or video, or point the Pi at any web page, then set how long each item shows and give it a start and end date. Anthias loops through the active playlist automatically.
For ready-made content, browse the free signage apps that work with Anthias out of the box: live weather, a world clock, news and RSS feeds, countdown timers, and more. Each one is just a link you paste into Anthias, so a single Pi can rotate through a whole set of them.
How to set it up
Installing Anthias takes a few minutes. You can flash a pre-built disk image with Raspberry Pi Imager, run the one-line installer, or deploy from balenaHub. See Get Started for every option, or read the full feature list.
Frequently asked questions
Is Raspberry Pi digital signage really free?
Yes. Anthias is open source and free to run on as many Raspberry Pis as you like. The only cost is the hardware, which you may already own.
Which Raspberry Pi models are supported?
Raspberry Pi 2 through Pi 5. A Pi 4 or Pi 5 is best if you plan to play a lot of video; images and web pages run smoothly across the range.
Do I need an internet connection?
You need one to install Anthias and to show web-based content, but the device runs on your own network and does not depend on any external cloud service to keep playing.