What is cloud-based digital signage?

Cloud-based digital signage runs its management dashboard and media storage on the vendor's servers instead of a server in your building. You log in from any browser, and each screen's media player downloads content over the internet.

What happens to cloud signage if the internet goes down?

With E Display, the media player caches scheduled content locally, so screens keep playing during an outage and recover automatically when the connection returns. You simply cannot push new changes until it is back.

Is cloud-based digital signage secure?

Screens only pull content from the platform, and access to the dashboard is controlled by user accounts with role-based permissions. There is no server on your network to patch or expose.

How much internet bandwidth does cloud signage need?

Very little during normal playback, because content is cached on the player. Bandwidth is used mainly when new videos or images are downloaded after you publish a change.

When is on-premise signage a better fit?

On-premise can make sense for sites with no internet access at all or strict rules that forbid any cloud service. For most businesses, cloud avoids buying, securing and maintaining a server.

Cloud-Based Digital Signage

Cloud-based digital signage keeps the dashboard and your media online, so you manage every screen from a browser with no server to buy or maintain. Here is how it compares to hosting it yourself.

See $8/screen pricing Talk to our team

Digital signage screens in a retail store, clinic lobby and office reception connected to one cloud platform

Why most businesses choose cloud signage

Manage from anywhere

Scale by location

Add a new site by pairing a player with a 4-digit code. No new server, no VPN.

Updates handled for you

Software updates are free and applied in the cloud, so everyone is always on the current version.

Keeps playing offline

Players cache content and recover automatically after a connection interruption.

Nothing to expose

No server on your network to patch. Access is controlled with role-based user accounts.

Less IT time

No hosting, backups or database maintenance. Support is a phone call, chat or email away.

The server you do not have to run

On-premise signage means a server in a closet: someone buys it, installs the operating system and database, keeps it patched, backs it up, and opens a secure path so screens at other sites can reach it. With cloud signage, all of that sits with the vendor. What stays in your building is a small media player behind each screen, such as the TX9 signage player, included free with new yearly licences.

Want to see what you actually do once you log in? The digital signage CMS guide walks through the dashboard step by step.

IT technician maintaining an on-premise server rack next to a shelf holding only a small signage media player

Cloud vs on-premise digital signage

	Cloud-based	On-premise
Where the dashboard runs	Vendor's servers, reached by browser	A server you buy and host
Upfront cost	None beyond the per-screen licence	Server hardware, licences and setup
Software updates	Automatic and included	Installed and tested by your IT team
Adding a location	Pair a player and publish	Network access back to your server
If the internet drops	Cached content keeps playing	Remote sites still lose contact
Best fit	Most businesses, one to hundreds of screens	Sites with no internet or a no-cloud policy

Where the dashboard runs

Cloud-based: Vendor's servers, reached by browser
On-premise: A server you buy and host

Upfront cost

Cloud-based: None beyond the per-screen licence
On-premise: Server hardware, licences and setup

Software updates

Cloud-based: Automatic and included
On-premise: Installed and tested by your IT team

Adding a location

Cloud-based: Pair a player and publish
On-premise: Network access back to your server

If the internet drops

Cloud-based: Cached content keeps playing
On-premise: Remote sites still lose contact

Best fit

Cloud-based: Most businesses, one to hundreds of screens
On-premise: Sites with no internet or a no-cloud policy

What a cloud setup needs

Three things: a screen, a digital signage player with an internet connection, and a cloud account. Pair the player with a 4-digit code, publish from the dashboard, and the screen starts playing. Existing Windows, Chrome OS, Android TV and Raspberry Pi devices can also work as players. For the platform itself, features and pricing, see E Display digital signage software.

Frequently asked questions

What is cloud-based digital signage?: Cloud-based digital signage runs its management dashboard and media storage on the vendor's servers instead of a server in your building. You log in from any browser, and each screen's media player downloads content over the internet.
What happens to cloud signage if the internet goes down?: With E Display, the media player caches scheduled content locally, so screens keep playing during an outage and recover automatically when the connection returns. You simply cannot push new changes until it is back.
Is cloud-based digital signage secure?: Screens only pull content from the platform, and access to the dashboard is controlled by user accounts with role-based permissions. There is no server on your network to patch or expose.
How much internet bandwidth does cloud signage need?: Very little during normal playback, because content is cached on the player. Bandwidth is used mainly when new videos or images are downloaded after you publish a change.
When is on-premise signage a better fit?: On-premise can make sense for sites with no internet access at all or strict rules that forbid any cloud service. For most businesses, cloud avoids buying, securing and maintaining a server.