Self-hosting also means someone has to set it up, keep it running, and maintain it. That someone is us. We install, host on request, update and support with defined response times. You get the control of open source with the safety net of a vendor.
Why self-host at all?
Because your screens shouldn't depend on decisions made in someone else's boardroom. With self-hosting, your data stays on your servers and in your jurisdiction, GDPR control included. Nobody can double your prices, discontinue the product, or lock you out. And since the software is open source, there is always an exit: the code can be audited, forked, and maintained. This is independent of us.
Our founder wrote down the long version, including why he would run his own critical infrastructure self-hosted: SaaS or self-hosting? What I would actually use.
What you run
The stack is garlic-hub and garlic-player. Our free, open-source digital signage CMS and media player. Manage screens and content, schedule playlists, build multi-zone layouts, all on the open SMIL standard. Downloads, source code and documentation live at garlic-signage.com.
To be transparent: garlic-hub is a newer, more modern codebase than our SaaS platform. Features are largely compatible, but it is standard software and not customizable. Furthermore, MFA and reporting are currently SaaS-only. The comparison below shows the differences.
SaaS or self-hosting?
| SaaS | Self-Hosting (with support) | |
|---|---|---|
| Operation | We host and run it | On your infrastructure, we help |
| Time to start | Ready in minutes | Needs setup, we handle it |
| Cost model | Per-player subscription, cheap to start | Your infrastructure plus support, pays off long-term |
| Data & jurisdiction | On our servers | On your servers, GDPR control stays with you |
| Vendor lock-in | Dependent on the vendor | None, open source, fork- and exit-friendly |
| Source code | Closed SaaS platform | Open source, garlic-hub and garlic-player |
| Customization | Fully customizable | Standard features, not customizable |
| MFA / SSO | Yes | Not included |
| Reporting / statistics | Yes | Not included |
| Updates | Automatically, we handle them | You decide when, we can manage it |
| Exit / migration | Hard and costly | Anytime, you own code and data |
| Best for | Quick start, campaigns, no ops | Business-critical, data-sensitive, long-term, regulated environments |
Our Self-Hosting Services
You run the software, we make sure it runs well. Pick only what you need.
Setup & installation
We install and configure garlic-hub and garlic-player on your servers, ready to use. In 2026 that usually means a clean Docker Compose deployment, done right the first time.
from €499,- one-time
Managed Hosting
Don't want to run a server yourself? We host garlic-hub for you and keep it online. You keep the open-source stack and the exit option, without the ops.
from €99,- / month
Support & Maintenance
Keeps your installation healthy: we ensure it runs within the supported system environment, ship bugfixes for the delivered solution, provide stability and compatibility patches, and email support. Incident handling, configuration help and version advice, with defined response times depending on your support tier.
from €79,- / month, three support tiers
Remote Training (optional)
We onboard your team so they own the system, not just use it.
from €699,- one time
All prices exclude VAT.
Prefer not to run anything yourself? → SaaS