RoomBadge vs Joan
Both show room availability outside the door. The difference is what you pay for before the software ever runs: proprietary e-ink hardware, or the Android tablet you already own.
Try RoomBadge FreeThe Core Difference
Joan sells its own e-ink display hardware alongside a software subscription. RoomBadge is software only, running on Android tablets you can buy anywhere - or already own.
| Hardware | RoomBadge | Joan |
|---|---|---|
| Display device | Any Android tablet (5.0 / API 21+) | Joan 6 or Joan 13 e-ink display (proprietary) |
| Upfront hardware cost | $0 if reusing an existing tablet | Roughly $500-900 per room, bought from Joan or a reseller |
| Pricing model | Per room: $5.40/mo or $53.88/yr | Per-room or per-user subscription on top of hardware, quote-based |
| Free tier | One room free forever, no card required | No free hardware; software trial varies |
| Calendar backend | Microsoft 365 / Exchange Online via Graph API | Microsoft 365, Google Calendar and others, via Joan's own sync layer |
| Status indicator | On-screen, plus bezel LED on supported Philips panels | E-ink screen with built-in LED strip |
Joan hardware pricing is based on publicly listed retailer prices for the Joan 6 and Joan 13 as of this writing and varies by region and reseller - confirm current pricing directly with Joan or an authorised reseller before purchasing.
When RoomBadge Is the Better Fit
Joan's dedicated hardware can make sense for a company standardising on one device across every room. RoomBadge is built for teams who would rather not buy new hardware at all.
You already own tablets
Spare Android tablets from an old BYOD rollout, a closed project, or a bulk purchase can be mounted outside a room today, with no procurement cycle.
You run strictly on Microsoft 365
RoomBadge reads and writes directly to Exchange Online through the Microsoft Graph API, with Exchange as the only source of truth - no separate sync service to configure or trust.
Rooms get added or removed often
Licences are managed from a web dashboard. Adding a room is a licence, not a hardware order with a delivery date.
See It on Your Own Room
One room is free, permanently, with no credit card. Mount it on a tablet you already have and compare it directly.
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