Overview

FreeKiosk is an Android kiosk app for running websites, web apps, or Android apps in fullscreen. It is a strong fit for teams that want kiosk lockdown, signage, and Home Assistant control without paying for the app. The central trade-off is clear: Android-focused capability at no app cost, but device setup and fleet management require more commitment.

Key features

Device Owner mode can hide system controls and stop users from exiting the kiosk, making FreeKiosk suitable for dedicated public-facing or operational tablets. Enabling that mode requires ADB and a factory-reset device, so it is less convenient to roll out on tablets already in service.

Built-in video playback and image slideshows support signage, while URL Rotation & Planner can switch among web pages or schedule them by time and date. That combination suits displays mixing web content and media; organizations that need a broader signage system should compare alternatives on their specific requirements.

For automation, FreeKiosk offers more than 40 REST API endpoints and native MQTT with Home Assistant auto-discovery. The optional Cloud dashboard adds live monitoring, remote commands, groups, configuration profiles, alerts, and screenshots. These tools make centralized oversight practical for distributed fleets, though Cloud is a separate service from the open-source app.

The Android app is MIT-licensed. Its maker says the app has no analytics or crash-reporting SDK and stores settings on-device unless enrolled in Cloud. FreeKiosk Cloud states that it uses TOTP two-factor authentication, a unique SHA-256-hashed API key per device, and per-organization data isolation; its fleet data is hosted by OVH in France and is not sold, rented, or shared for advertising. The Cloud platform source code is not published, so teams seeking an entirely open-source management stack should account for that distinction.

Pricing

The FreeKiosk Android app costs 0.00 USD per free and requires Android 8.0 or later. That makes it accessible for a single kiosk or a pilot, but Device Owner setup still calls for a factory reset and ADB.

Cloud's first device is 0.00 EUR per free, billed forever, with no card required. For larger deployments, the 1–99-device tier is 1.00 EUR per month per device, excluding VAT, with the first device free. The 100–499-device tier is 0.80 EUR per month per device for the whole fleet, excluding VAT, also with the first device free. These lower per-device rates are tied to fleet size, so the cheaper rate is not a general small-deployment price. For 500+ devices, pricing is custom, with a rate stated to remain below the 499-device rate.

Cloud pricing is per device rather than per seat, which suits kiosk fleets more directly than staff-based licensing.

Platforms

FreeKiosk is an Android deployment with an optional Cloud management layer and a web interface. It requires Android 8.0 or later. The hybrid model lets an app run on the device while Cloud handles remote fleet oversight; the app itself is not a cross-platform kiosk solution.

Who it's for

FreeKiosk makes the most sense for operators deploying Android tablets as web or app kiosks, especially when digital signage and Home Assistant automation belong in the same setup. Its maker describes Cloud as designed for teams managing dozens or hundreds of kiosks across multiple locations, and the group, profile, alert, and monitoring features align with that use case. It is a weaker fit for organizations that cannot factory-reset devices during setup, need non-Android kiosk endpoints, or require open-source Cloud management.

Pros and cons

Pros: The Android app is free and MIT-licensed, lowering the barrier to trying or adapting the kiosk software.
Pros: Lockdown, media signage, scheduled URL rotation, REST API, and Home Assistant MQTT cover several common kiosk and display needs in one Android app.
Pros: Cloud provides remote commands, monitoring, profiles, groups, alerts, and screenshots for distributed fleets.
Cons: Device Owner setup requires ADB and a factory reset, which complicates deployment on devices already in use.
Cons: The Cloud platform is not open source, despite the app's MIT license.
Cons: Android-only deployment rules it out for teams standardizing on other kiosk operating systems.

Alternatives

Browse Kiosk Browsers for a wider set of kiosk-browser options. Choose KioWare if you need its Android, Linux, Windows, or self-hosted platform options and are prepared for a paid product with custom-priced Starter licensing. Porteus Kiosk is the alternative to consider for Linux or self-hosted deployments; its 201–500-PC support subscription is 26.00 EUR per year per PC, excluding VAT.

Fully Kiosk Browser is another Android option with web and API platforms; its Fully PLUS license is a one-time payment with price not listed. Kiosk Browser fits Android teams considering paid remote management, priced at 1.60 USD per month per device for 1–199 devices, with lower per-device rates at larger tiers. For an iOS-only kiosk browser with a free core plan, consider KioskFrame, whose paid Monthly plan is 4.99 USD per month.

SureAsset is a free alternative for teams whose priority is asset lifecycle and hardware and software license tracking rather than kiosk operation. Kiosker is a freemium Android and iOS alternative with monthly and yearly subscription options. Linutop Kiosk is worth considering for Linux or self-hosted use, with a 79.00 EUR one-time installation option, excluding VAT.

Verdict

Choose FreeKiosk if you need an Android kiosk with lockdown, signage, and Home Assistant integration, and want the app itself to remain free and open source. Its optional Cloud service adds useful fleet controls at per-device rates, particularly for larger deployments. Look elsewhere if factory-reset setup, Android-only support, or a closed-source Cloud layer conflicts with your operational or openness requirements.

	FreeKiosk	UniKiosk
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Free trial	Yes	No
Paid from	€0.80/mo	Free
Open source	No	No
Platforms	Android, api, Web	Android, Web
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Deployment mode	hybrid	self-hosted
Supported platforms	Android	Android 9+
Remote management	Yes	No
Digital signage support	Yes	Yes

FreeKiosk vs UniKiosk

FreeKiosk

UniKiosk