Source-available firmware turning an LED matrix panel into a scriptable notification display.
- Type
- Self-hosted
- Price
- Free
- Code
- Closed source, PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0
- Runs on
- Windows, macOS, Linux
Topic
Wall displays
6 entries
Checked
On the list
-
-
Wall display service showing calendars, photos, weather and smart home status on any screen.
- Type
- Hosted web app
- Price
- Free plan, paid upgrades
- Code
- Closed source
- Runs on
- Web, Raspberry Pi, Android
-
Open source e-paper dashboard framework for Raspberry Pi, sold assembled or built yourself.
- Type
- Self-hosted
- Price
- Free and open source
- Code
- Open source, GPL-3.0
- Runs on
- Raspberry Pi, Linux
-
Open source framework for building a Raspberry Pi smart mirror from modular widgets.
- Type
- Self-hosted
- Price
- Free and open source
- Code
- Open source, MIT
- Runs on
- Raspberry Pi, Linux, macOS, Windows and more
-
Hosted command center dashboard sized for multi-monitor desktops, wall screens and TVs.
- Type
- Hosted web app
- Price
- Paid
- Code
- Closed source
- Runs on
- Web
-
E-ink wall display running a plugin marketplace of dashboard apps.
- Type
- Hardware
- Price
- One-time purchase
- Code
- Open source, GPL-3.0
- Runs on
- Raspberry Pi, Android, iOS, Web
What it is and who it's for
A wall display turns a spare screen, or a purpose-built device, into something that always shows the same handful of things: a calendar, the weather, family photos, a countdown. It suits anyone who wants information visible at a glance in a kitchen or hallway, without opening a phone or laptop. It overlaps with smart home and family calendar dashboards, but the defining trait here is the fixed, mounted screen itself.
How to choose
DAKboard is a hosted service built for exactly this: point it at any screen, tablet or Raspberry Pi and it handles the calendar, weather and photo rotation. MagicMirror is the open source alternative for a Raspberry Pi build, with a wider range of community modules to add. For a dedicated device rather than a repurposed screen, TRMNL and AWTRIX NG run on e-ink or LED matrix hardware you buy once, and Inkycal offers the same e-ink approach as an open source Pi project. Skylight Calendar and Tidbyt are closed, purpose-built alternatives at a similar price point, aimed at buyers who would rather not assemble anything.
What to watch for
E-ink devices cost more up front but need no ongoing power draw or backlight, while a repurposed tablet or TV shows more detail and refreshes faster. Several devices, TRMNL and Skylight Calendar among them, pair the one-time hardware cost with an optional paid subscription for extra features, so check what is actually included before you buy.
Questions people ask
What is a dashboard wall display?
Search the bare term and most results are shelving and signage hardware. In this niche, a wall display means a screen mounted somewhere in a home that shows a calendar, weather, photos or other glanceable information, always on.
Do I need special hardware for a wall display?
No. Services like DAKboard and frameworks like MagicMirror and Inkycal run on a spare tablet, TV or Raspberry Pi. Dedicated devices like TRMNL, Tidbyt and LaMetric Time are a separate, one-time hardware purchase built for exactly this job.
What is the difference between an e-ink wall display and a regular screen?
E-ink panels, used by TRMNL, Inkycal and InkyPi, draw very little power and have no backlight glare, but refresh slowly and show limited color. A regular LCD or TV screen, the route DAKboard and MagicMirror take, refreshes instantly and shows full color and photos, at the cost of more power draw.