Disclosure: This post is written by the GuestsBoard team. We've done our best to represent WelcomeScreens accurately, but you should verify their current pricing and features directly before making a decision.
TV-based guest display systems are a small but growing category. Instead of a paper binder or an app guests have to find on their phone, these systems turn your existing TV into an always-on guest guide. Two products now compete in this space: GuestsBoard and WelcomeScreens.
Both solve the same core problem. But they approach it differently — different hardware models, different pricing, different assumptions about what hosts need. This post walks through the real differences so you can pick the right one.
The quick version
GuestsBoard runs on a Raspberry Pi you own outright. No subscription to access your own hardware. Built-in AI Concierge powered by Gemini. Designed for hosts who want full control and low ongoing cost.
WelcomeScreens is a subscription-based TV display service. Lower upfront cost, managed remotely, good for hosts who want something simple to set up and don't need AI.
If you want the detail, read on.
Hardware model
This is the most fundamental difference between the two products.
GuestsBoard runs on a Raspberry Pi — a small computer you own. You can buy a pre-configured Plug & Play kit ($249) or use the SD Card Kit ($49) with a Pi you already have. Either way, the hardware is yours. If you stop paying for GuestsBoard, your Pi is still yours. There's no hardware rental, no monthly fee for the device itself, no risk of the company bricking your hardware remotely.
WelcomeScreens uses a streaming stick or similar device connected to your TV — similar concept, but their model is subscription-first. The device cost is lower upfront, but the ongoing subscription is required to keep content displayed.
Key question to ask yourself: Do I want to own the hardware outright, or am I comfortable with a subscription that controls what shows on my TV?
AI Concierge
This is GuestsBoard's clearest differentiator. The AI Concierge is a chat interface built into the kiosk — guests type questions, get answers in seconds, without texting you. It's powered by Gemini and knows your property: house rules, local recommendations, how your appliances work, checkout procedure. Everything you've added to your property profile is available to the AI.
WelcomeScreens is a display product — it shows information, but doesn't offer interactive AI chat. Guests see what you've put on screen; they can't ask follow-up questions.
Whether this matters depends on your property. A simple one-bedroom with minimal questions probably doesn't need AI. A larger property, a complex appliance setup, or a host who gets a lot of late-night messages will get meaningful value from it. See how the AI Concierge works for what it can and can't answer.
PMS integration
GuestsBoard integrates with OwnerRez to pull guest names and reservation data automatically. The kiosk greets guests by name and can display stay-specific information — check-out time, booking details — without any manual updates between stays. Hospitable, Guesty, and Lodgify integrations are in development.
WelcomeScreens also offers PMS integrations depending on their current plan tier. Check their site for the current integration list — this is an area both products are actively developing.
Pricing comparison
| Feature | GuestsBoard | WelcomeScreens |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware model | Own your Pi outright | Subscription device |
| Entry hardware cost | $49 (SD Card Kit, BYOD Pi) or $249 (Plug & Play) | Lower upfront, subscription required |
| Monthly subscription | From $19/property/mo | Varies by plan |
| AI Concierge (chat) | ✓ Included | ✗ Not available |
| OwnerRez integration | ✓ Available | Check their site |
| Guest name personalization | ✓ Via PMS sync | Depends on plan |
| Offline mode | ✓ Content cached locally | Streaming-dependent |
| Multiple themes | ✓ 6 display themes | ✓ Customizable |
| Setup time | ~5 minutes | ~5–10 minutes |
Offline reliability
Rental properties have WiFi outages. It happens — router reboots, ISP issues, a guest who accidentally unplugged the modem. What happens to your guest display when the internet goes down matters.
GuestsBoard caches content locally on the Pi. If the property loses internet, the kiosk keeps showing your WiFi code, house rules, and property information. Guests who arrive during an outage still see everything they need. The AI Concierge won't work without internet (it calls the LLM), but static content remains visible.
Streaming-based solutions depend on a live connection to render content. An internet outage means a blank or error screen — exactly when guests are most likely to be frustrated and texting you.
Who GuestsBoard is best for
GuestsBoard fits best if you…
Already own a Raspberry Pi (or want to), value owning your hardware outright, have a property with lots of guest questions (strong AI Concierge ROI), use OwnerRez for property management, or want the lowest long-term cost per property across a portfolio.
Who WelcomeScreens is best for
WelcomeScreens fits best if you…
Want the simplest possible setup with no hardware decisions, don't need interactive AI chat, prefer a fully managed subscription with no hardware responsibility, or are testing the category before committing to a more capable setup.
The bottom line
Both products solve the real problem: getting information in front of guests without relying on a paper binder or a buried app. The TV kiosk approach works, and both GuestsBoard and WelcomeScreens prove it.
The choice comes down to two questions. First: do you want to own the hardware or rent the experience? Second: do you need AI-powered Q&A, or is a well-organized display enough?
If you want the AI Concierge, offline reliability, and owned hardware with a low long-term cost — GuestsBoard. If you want the simplest possible on-ramp with minimal hardware decisions — WelcomeScreens is worth a look too.
Either way, your guests will stop texting you about the WiFi password. That part's the same.
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