If you love the idea of building a digital signage program, but hate the idea of spending extra money, we've got good news: you don’t have to choose one or the other.

It might even cost you $20 per month or less.

Contrary to the price tags and tech headaches of yore, today's digital signage solutions are impressively cheap. You don't need to be a media whiz to get started, and you don't need to be an enterprise brand (or have enterprise-level pockets).

The best part? You don't need to have the perfect space or a fiber WiFi connection — just the desire to build a system and the buy-in of your team.

This guide walks through the step-by-step process of setting up a cost-effective digital signage solution. It also explains your required accessories and add-ons so you can get a beautiful display up and running for less.

TL;DR: Most digital signage solutions range between $100 per month and $2,320 per month depending on the setup. With Fugo, you can set up a solution for $20 per screen per month as long as you have a smart TV screen and an internet connection.

How much does it normally cost for digital signage programs?

Digital signage software is like a good steak — it costs a lot or a little depending on a hundred different factors.

Some digital signage programs cost thousands of dollars upfront, then charge per-user prices plus fees, taxes, and add-ons. Others charge a fortune for their media players, or force you to upgrade multiple times just to access the bare necessities (like customer support).

And yes, there are free digital signage programs out there, but remember you get what you pay for. You know the old saying, 'quality, free, or easy?' You can only pick two — and your options will be limited.

So how do you find the most cost-effective digital signage program?

In short, by doing good research.

That's one of the reasons why hundreds of small business owners have landed on Fugo for digital signage.

The full cost breakdown of digital signage programs with Fugo

You need three basic ingredients for a digital signage solution: CMS software, a compatible display (like a TV), and an internet connection. If you're running multiple screens or want greater power for your displays, you might also need a digital signage player (but don't worry, we'll get to that later).

Here's what you need to know:

CMS software

Your CMS software is the foundation for your entire digital signage program. With it, you can design custom content for your screens, generate QR codes and dynamic images, and manage multiple displays across multiple locations.

Fugo’s CMS offers everything you need to get digital signage done right — all for an affordable $20 per screen per month. This allows you to tap into:

• Our 100% free content creation tool (affectionately known as our design studio)
• Tools for screen mirroring, social media walls, digital menu boards, and more
• Dozens of free third-party integrations such as Google Drive, YouTube, and World Weather

Want even more features at similarly affordable prices? Our Core plan offers the following features at just $30 per screen per month:

• Integrations with Power BI and Looker
• Unlimited TV dashboard URLs
• 4K support
• Embeddable channels
• Custom font uploads and canvas resolutions

You can get the full scoop on our pricing page here.

Are you an enterprise business? Check out our Enterprise plan.

Displays

Regardless of which CRM provider you choose, you're going to need hardware that's compatible with your system. Some organizations require specific devices or operating systems. Others are more flexible and easily adjust to your specific needs.

With Fugo, you can connect and stream content to literally dozens of devices, including Android boxes & tables, Chromeboxes, and Windows hardware. You can also connect to:

• LG hardware
• Samsung SSSP and Tizen hardware
• Raspberry Pi
• Computer screens
• Tablets

There are a few devices we don't recommend or support, including Roku, Chromecast, Apple TV, and a few others. You can learn more about our compatible devices and operating systems in our comprehensive guide.

So — what kind of prices can you expect to pay? Again, this depends on your hardware and discounts.

Here are some general prices so you can set a better benchmark:

• Sony BRAVIA X77L Series TVs: ~$400
• LG UR640S: ~$800
• LG 49" UHD Signage Commercial Display: ~$900

WiFi connection

You don't necessarily need the internet for digital signage, but it's one of the easiest ways to create interesting, dynamic, and engaging displays.

In fact, using your WiFi connection will enable you to:

• Get real-time updates for your digital signage
• Support third-party apps like the weather or local news
• Publish updated snapshots of internal data (AKA TV dashboards)

The cost of your internet service will vary based on location, but according to recent numbers, it ranges between $139.11 monthly for DSL internet and $1,794.31 monthly for Ethernet.

Assuming you have one location to manage, expect an average of $359.67 per month.

P.S., Fugo recommends a wired internet connection with a speed of at least 10mbps. Not sure how fast your internet is? Use this quick internet speed test here.

Digital signage players

You don't necessarily need a digital signage player if you already own a smart TV. However, most smart TV browsers (except for Android) are poorly supported or outdated. This limits your ability to access the latest features in Fugo and could dampen your digital signage experience as well.

You might need a digital signage player if:

• You want a more reliable digital signage experience
• You're looking to manage lots of devices
• You want access to Fugo's full range of features

Do you want digital signage that works while you sleep? You may want to consider a professional digital signage player. This will unlock key abilities like 24/7 continuous playback, better durability, and customizable technology for your business’s unique needs.

But again, the cost of a digital signage player depends completely on the type you're buying. There are two major categories: consumer-grade, and professional-grade.

Consumer-grade players make sense for businesses with fewer screens. You probably don't have a massive network or need higher-powered signage solutions. A few popular options include:

• Google Chromecast with Google TV (4K): ~$50
• Raspberry Pi 5: ~$60
• NVIDIA Shield TV Pro: ~$199

Professional digital signage players may cost more upfront, but for enterprise brands, they'll save more in the long run. You'll be able to ensure more reliable playback, perform fewer repairs, and purchase fewer player devices as you scale.

Popular options include:

• Fugo NUC: ~$500
• Fugo Chromebox: ~$260
• Asus Chromebox 5: ~$295+

Okay, but how much will I actually pay for digital signage solutions?

We already know how much the bits and pieces cost. But how much will digital signage cost if you're buying everything up front?

We did the math so you don't have to. Check out the comprehensive chart below:

Fugo is the best digital signage software for growing teams and enterprises

The myth of expensive digital signage is going the way of the dinosaur.

Because if you already own a smart TV and internet service, you can get started with Fugo for just $20 per screen per month.

But listen: while Fugo is definitely a cost-effective CMS, it's far from being just 'cheap' digital signage. There's a reason we're rated 5/5 by businesses using 5,000+ screens in 60+ countries.

No need to take our word for it, though — you're welcome to try before you buy.

Sign up today with a 14-day free trial of Fugo to see why our digital signage software is one of the most cost-effective on the market.