Consider Xibo if…
You want open-source software to design layouts and schedule what a network of screens shows.
A CLOSER LOOK
Zonecast vs. Xibo
Open-source digital signage for layouts, playlists, and displays, compared with music and timed announcements for audio zones.
What you’re choosing between.
Xibo documents an open-source signage CMS, AGPLv3, with open-source Windows and Linux players. The feature list and docs cover layouts, playlists, a media library that includes audio files, scheduling, and display groups. As of October 2026, the documented product is screen signage. It does not describe music schedules, exact-time spoken announcements, and separate audio zones as one location-audio system. Sources below ↓
Zonecast manages your own audio catalogs, playlists, schedules, campaigns, and announcements across locations and audio zones. Run its MIT-licensed core for one account, or use the paid cloud for multiple accounts. The agent is in early access. AI-generated announcements and player apps are not available yet.
Consider Zonecast if…
You want software for music, timed announcements, and audio zones across locations, with a self-hosted core or managed multi-account cloud.
| What matters | Xibo | Zonecast |
|---|---|---|
| Primary job | Digital signage CMS and players | Location audio programming |
| Content | Layouts, playlists, widgets, and a media library that includes audio | Owned catalogs, playlists, campaigns, and announcement recordings |
| Scheduling | Scheduled layouts and playlists for displays | Weekly music plus exact local-time announcements |
| Organization | Displays and display groups | Locations, audio zones, and tags |
| Deployment | Self-hosted open-source CMS; some players and hosting are commercial | MIT-licensed core, or Zonecast Cloud for multiple accounts |
Start with your real requirements.
List the locations, audio zones, and accounts you need to manage. Separate your need for music content from your need for scheduling software. Then confirm playback-device support and deployment responsibilities with the vendor.
Zonecast does not include a licensed music catalog. The self-hosted edition has no license fee for its MIT components, but you operate the infrastructure. The cloud edition is $1 per audio zone. Billing period to be confirmed. See the product before making your choice.
FAQ
Can Xibo play audio?
Xibo’s docs list audio among library media types. The product those docs describe is still digital signage, not a zone-by-zone music and announcement program.
Is the CMS open source?
Xibo’s open-source page says the CMS core stays AGPLv3, and the Windows and Linux players stay open source.
Sources & review date
Reviewed October 25, 2026, as of October 2026. Comparisons describe publicly documented capabilities, not a hands-on test. Plans and availability can change. Product names belong to their respective owners; no affiliation is implied.
THE OPEN PLATFORM
In-store media,
with the source open.
Music and announcements are ready to run. Get early access to the agent.