Android vs Windows Digital Signage: Which is the Best OS?

Does it matter what OS your digital signage software runs on? When it comes to choosing the right hardware and software, the operating system is a big factor... Will your media players work with your screens? Are there hidden costs or issues that might impact your choice in the longer term?

The two biggest operating systems for digital signage today are Windows and Android. While Windows was once the King, Android is currently the dominant player. But does this matter when it comes to setting up your digital signage networks?

The financial impact of Windows vs Android for digital signage

When it comes to choosing digital signage screens or media players, you might notice that Android tends to dominate the smart TV/system-on-chip market, especially in the consumer end.

Android TVs are popular and cheap, with Amazon's Fire OS and Sony Bravia being the most obvious example of a popular Android setup. But there is also solid choice of commercial grade Android TVs soo.

There are also lots of affordable Android digital signage players, with Window's devices often being a little more on the pricey side. But a factor to consider when buying Windows media players is the software licence which isn't always included, which we'll look at in more depth shortly.

The Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is also an important factor to keep in mind when it comes to choosing your digital signage hardware. The TCO should include the initial hardware purchase, the software licenses, and the labor required for ongoing management.

Let's dig in...

The cost of the Windows ecosystem

Windows based signage often relies on PC hardware such as an Intel NUC or a specialized media player. These units generally range from around $300 to over $1000 per screen.

Beyond the hardware, organizations need to account for the Windows license fee, which can add significant overhead to a large scale deployment. While this will vary, depending on the scale of your digital signage network, for reference, costs might run from $40 per device to $200 or more.

Check the Microsoft IoT pages for more information.

The Android efficiency model

Android hardware offers a lower barrier to entry and doesn't include an additional fee beyond the purchase of the hardware and your software subscription.

There are a huge range of Android players in the sub-$100 category, including our own PIXI, and there is no operating system licensing fee. This allows organizations to deploy screens in breakrooms, warehouses, and satellite offices that might otherwise be cost prohibitive, and scaling is much easier and cost effective.

IT management and security

For IT managers, the primary concern is not the cost of the player but the efficiency and the effort involved in keeping devices online. The public blue screen of death - aka the dead screen - is something that no IT manager wants to have to deal with on a regular basis.

The Windows challenge

Windows is a general purpose operating system designed for productivity, specifically on PCs and server devices. While Windows was not built for unattended 24/7 operation, there are some typical challenges that arise when using this OS for your digital signage solution.

• Forced updates that can cause screens to reboot during business hours.
• Blue screen errors that require a physical visit to the screen to resolve.
• Larger security attack surfaces that require constant patching and oversight.

These issues are not unique to Windows digital signage, and in fairness Microsoft have recently released a digital signage mode for Windows to address this very issue.

Is Android more reliable than Windows?

The issues with forced updates and blue screens tends to be less obvious with Android devices, as the OS is built on the Linux kernel, which is inherently modular.

This also makes it far easier to lock down, meaning less issues with faulty display screens or errors. By using a specialized version of Android, such as the one found in the ScreenCloud PIXI, IT teams can prevent unauthorized app installations and ensure the device only runs the signage player.

This results in significantly fewer screen errors and support tickets, with a higher overall network uptime.

Which is the most energy efficient OS?

Corporate sustainability is a key performance indicator for most enterprises. And so, the hardware used to power your screens has a measurable impact on your carbon footprint and energy consumption.

Data around energy efficiency studies shows a staggering gap between the two platforms. A standard Windows PC media player typically consumes around 50 watts per hour. In contrast, a high efficiency Android media player consumes as little as 3 to 5 watts.

Over the course of a year, running a Windows based player 24/7 can cost over $100 in electricity per screen. An Android player performing the same task costs approximately $7 dollars per year. For a company with a hundred screens, switching to Android can save over $10,000 dollars annually while reducing CO2 emissions by several tons.

When to choose Windows digital signage

Despite the advantages of Android, there are still specific scenarios where Windows remains the superior choice.

• Complex Data Visualizations: If your signage requires the display of highly complex, high resolution Power BI dashboards that involve significant local processing, the raw power of an x86 Windows might be necessary.
• Multi Screen Video Walls: Windows handles multi monitor outputs and synchronized 8K content more effectively than most ARM based Android processors.
• Legacy Integrations: Organizations that rely on proprietary Windows only software for local data triggers may find the transition to Android difficult.

When to choose Android digital signage

When looking for a low energy, high efficiency and affordable digital signage solution, Android players are usually the best option. Screens used to power relatively low energy internal communication or retail content don't need the processing power of a mini-Windows PC.

And because of their low cost and small form factor, they also make great options for flexible and scalable digital signage.

A ScreenCloud PIXI or the Amazon Signage Stick are both excellent plug and play Android devices designed to power relatively simple digital signage - think digital posters, menu boards and communications content.

ScreenCloud: Your hardware agnostic partner

To choose the best OS for your digital signage, evaluate your needs against these three criteria:

1. Use Case: Are you displaying 4K video and internal comms apps or complex 8K data models? If it is the former, Android is the clear winner.
2. Scale: For deployments larger than ten screens, the energy savings and management simplicity of Android far outweigh the familiarity of Windows.
3. Budget: If the goal is high impact engagement with a low TCO, Android hardware like the PIXI provides the best return on investment.

ScreenCloud is digital signage software built to work with any OS - including Windows or Android. With it's intuitive interface, cloud based control and powerful enterprise features, more global businesses choose ScreenCloud.

Sign up for your FREE trial or book a demo today.