Screen-based digital signage CMS
A cloud-based platform built for screen-based workplace communication.
- Screen-based communication
- Centralised dashboard
- Emergency alerts
- 50+ device types
- SOC 2 Type II & ISO 27001 certified
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Pickcel vs Staffbase: Screen-Based vs App-Based Employee Communication
Both platforms communicate with employees. The difference is who they can reach without requiring a device, and how deep their screen-based capabilities go.
At a Glance
A quick look at which platform fits different needs.
Pickcel wins for
- Organisations with significant deskless workforces
- Screen-based communication without employee devices
- Manufacturing, healthcare, logistics and multi-site environments
Staffbase wins for
- Organisations needing a unified mobile app, intranet, email, and social platform
- Desk and mobile-equipped employees
- Broader internal communication and HR use cases
Compare further if
- You have both desk and non-desk employees
- You may need both platforms for different use cases
- You want to evaluate cost, security and integration requirements
Quick Summary
Two different approaches to employee communication.
Pickcel is a cloud-based digital signage CMS built specifically for screen-based workplace communication. Communicators manage all displays from a central dashboard, scheduling content in time-blocks, pushing emergency alerts in real time, and monitoring screen health across multiple sites. Employees receive the content passively. No app download, no login, no action required. This matters most in environments where employees don't carry work devices, and how digital signage drives employee engagement is well-established in high-dwell environments.
Staffbase is an AI-native employee experience platform built around a mobile app and intranet, with digital signage available as one of several communication channels. Which platform fits your organisation depends on who your employees are and whether they carry a device to work.
Learn more about the key differencesScreen-based communication
Reaches employees through digital screens in workplaces.
On-site screensShared spacesDevice-free access
App-based communication
Reaches employees through mobile apps, intranet, email, and other digital channels.
Mobile appIntranetEmailSocial
About the Platforms
Two platforms. Two different approaches.
Both platforms communicate with employees, but they focus on different channels and use cases. Here's a closer look at what each platform does.
Employee experience platform
A unified platform with mobile app, intranet, email, and digital signage.
- Mobile app for desk & frontline staff
- Company newsfeed & HR tools
- Surveys & recognition
- Microsoft 365 integration
- Digital signage (part of platform)
Feature Comparison
Compare key features side by side.
| Feature / Capability | PickcelScreen-Based CMS | StaffbaseEmployee Experience Platform |
|---|---|---|
| Primary delivery channel | Workplace screens: passive display, no employee action | Mobile app + intranet + email + digital signage (multi-channel) |
| Employee device required? | No. Screens push content without employee interaction. | Yes. Mobile app requires download and login. |
| Deskless / floor worker reach | Native: designed for non-device environments | Via mobile app (requires device ownership and app adoption) |
| Digital signage | Core product: full CMS, 50+ device types, 150,000+ screens | Bundled channel: "onsite updates for teams" (hardware scope: verify with Staffbase) |
| Content scheduling | Multi-zone scheduling with calendar view, time-blocks, playlists | Available via platform (detail: verify on staffbase.com) |
| Emergency broadcast / screen override | Real-time push with immediate screen override | Push notifications via mobile app |
| Two-way communication | No | Yes. Surveys, pulse checks, feedback, mandatory acknowledgements. |
| Employee newsfeed / social features | No | Yes. Content feed, reactions, recognition, comments. |
| Microsoft 365 integration | No | Yes. SharePoint, Teams, Copilot integration. |
| SOC 2 Type II (own certification) | Yes. Pickcel holds its own SOC 2 Type II attestation. | Verify with Staffbase before publishing |
| ISO 27001 (own certification) | Yes. Pickcel holds its own ISO 27001 certification. | Mentioned in documentation. Verify precise scope before publishing. |
| GDPR compliant | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes. 14-day free trial, no credit card required. | Not publicly offered |
| Pricing model | Per screen / month subscription | Custom quote. Contact Staffbase for pricing. |
| Supported screen types | 50+ device types (commercial + consumer) | Not publicly documented for digital signage channel |
Disclaimer: Pickcel is independent of Staffbase and bases this comparison on publicly available information. Staffbase owns its trademark. We encourage you to verify details with each vendor.
Who Should Choose Which
Different teams. Different needs.
Who Should Choose Pickcel
Pickcel is the right choice when screen-based passive communication is the core requirement, particularly for workforces where employees don't carry a work device during their shift.
Manufacturing, warehousing, and logistics
A production-line worker does not open email between tasks. The screen at the end of the aisle is the communication touchpoint that actually reaches these employees.
Manufacturing digital signageHealthcare and clinical environments
Clinical staff moving between patient areas can't check a mobile app mid-shift. Screens in corridors and break rooms deliver shift updates and emergency alerts passively.
Healthcare digital signageMulti-site operations with large deskless populations
When a significant portion of the workforce doesn't sit at a desk, app-adoption rates are often lower than expected. Screens reach employees regardless.
Enterprise digital signageScreen-only deployments
Organisations that need screen-based communication without surveys, social feeds, or recognition programmes will find Pickcel's per-screen subscription more cost-predictable.
Who Should Choose Staffbase
Staffbase is the better fit when two-way communication, a unified platform, and app-based reach are the primary requirements.
Desk-based and mobile-equipped workforces
If your employees work from a desk or carry a company phone, Staffbase's mobile app delivers personalised, interactive communication that screens cannot.
Two-way engagement
Surveys, mandatory acknowledgements, pulse checks, and employee feedback are core Staffbase capabilities. If employees need to confirm receipt or respond to questions, a screen-based platform cannot deliver these.
Microsoft 365-integrated organisations
Staffbase integrates directly with SharePoint, Teams, and Copilot. If your organisation runs heavily on the Microsoft stack, Staffbase reduces friction by connecting with tools employees already use.
Unified multi-channel management from a single vendor
For organisations that want one platform managing mobile app, intranet, email, and digital signage, Staffbase offers that breadth.
Better Together
Can Pickcel and Staffbase Work Together?
For large organisations with mixed workforces, the two platforms are genuinely complementary rather than competing options.
Use Staffbase for desk-based and mobile-equipped employees
Reach desk-based employees and mobile-equipped frontline workers through the app and intranet.
Use Pickcel for non-desk staff and screen-based communication
Reach the factory floor, warehouse aisle, hospital corridor, and the break room through screens that require no employee device or action.
Keep messaging aligned
Content can be authored centrally and distributed to each platform's relevant audience.
One important question to ask before evaluating either platform: Will an app-centric platform achieve 100% employee reach across your entire workforce? If the answer is no, screen-based communication is not an alternative to Staffbase. It is the layer that fills the coverage gap your app cannot close.
For organisations exploring a multi-channel employee communication platform, this hybrid approach provides full-spectrum coverage.
Want to estimate the cost impact before committing? Run the switch ROI calculator.See Your 12-Month Switch ROI
Tell us about your current setup. We'll send a personalised estimate.
Migration Guide
Switching from Staffbase to Pickcel
If you are evaluating Pickcel specifically for your screen-based communication needs and moving from Staffbase, here is what the transition typically involves:
- 01
Audit your screen estate
List all screen locations, device models, and operating systems. Pickcel's 50+ device compatibility means most existing hardware connects without replacement.
- 02
Export your digital signage content from Staffbase
Download images and video assets from Staffbase. Pickcel supports all standard media formats.
- 03
Set up your Pickcel account and map screens by location
Group screens into zones that match your site structure. A 20-screen, 2-site deployment typically takes one day to configure.
- 04
Run a 2-week pilot on one site
Validate scheduling, approval workflows, and emergency broadcast before rolling out across all locations.
- 05
Cut over site by site
Sequential rollout by location reduces disruption risk and gives your team time to adapt workflows at each stage.
Realistic effort: 2 to 3 weeks for a 50-screen deployment. Pickcel's onboarding team supports the full transition.
Security and Compliance
Security Comparison
Pickcel
Pickcel holds SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001 certifications directly. Both attestations apply to the Pickcel platform itself, not to the underlying cloud infrastructure it runs on. For industries with strict compliance requirements, Pickcel can provide its current SOC 2 Type II report on request.
SOC 2 Type II
ISO 27001GDPRStaffbase
Staffbase references ISO 27001 in its pricing documentation and operates on Microsoft Azure and AWS infrastructure. Its security documentation notes that SOC 2 is maintained by its infrastructure providers rather than Staffbase itself.
Both platforms comply with GDPR. Staffbase offers HIPAA-compliant BAAs and CCPA-compliant data processing agreements for regulated industries.
GDPRHIPAA BAACCPA DPA
Confirm the precise scope of Staffbase's certifications directly with their security team before including this as a decision criterion.
Pricing
Different pricing models.
Pickcel
Screen-based pricingPickcel typically follows a screen-based pricing model, where the cost is based on the number of screens you deploy.
- Pricing based on number of screens
- Predictable and easy to scale
- 14-day free trial, no credit card required
- Designed for individual communication needs
Staffbase
User-based pricingStaffbase generally follows a user-based pricing model, where costs are based on the number of employees or users.
- Pricing based on number of users or employees
- Built for a broader employee communication platform
- Cost can increase as your employee base grows
- Custom quote required
Pricing can vary based on features, support, contract terms, and region. It's best to discuss your specific requirements with both vendors to get an accurate quote.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Pickcel is a dedicated digital signage platform for screen-based workplace communication. Staffbase is an employee experience platform built around a mobile app and intranet, with digital signage as one of several channels. Pickcel reaches employees who don't carry a device. Staffbase reaches employees through an app they download and use actively.
For most large organisations, the two are complementary. Staffbase reaches desk-based and mobile-equipped employees through its app. Pickcel reaches non-device employees through workplace screens. Organisations with significant deskless populations frequently run both to cover the full workforce.
Pickcel is built for environments where employees don't carry a device to work. Screens display content passively with no employee action required. Staffbase reaches frontline workers through a mobile app, which requires device ownership, app download, and active engagement. For a deeper look at this challenge, see our guide on deskless worker communication solutions.
No. Pickcel is a one-directional screen communication platform. It does not offer surveys, acknowledgements, reactions, or employee feedback tools. If two-way communication is a core requirement, Staffbase is the better fit for that capability. If the need is passive screen-based communication for non-device employees, Pickcel is purpose-built for that.
Pickcel uses a per-screen, per-month subscription with a free trial available. Staffbase uses custom pricing based on user count and platform scope. Contact their team for a quote. A useful comparison requires quotes from both vendors for your specific deployment size, as the pricing structures differ.
Pickcel operates independently of Microsoft 365 and does not require a Teams or SharePoint integration to function. Content is managed through Pickcel's cloud dashboard and pushed directly to screens. For organisations running Microsoft 365 for desk-based employees and Pickcel for screen-based communication in non-desk areas, the two systems co-exist without conflict. They serve different audiences through different channels.
Yes. Pickcel holds SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001 certifications in its own name. Both attestations apply to the Pickcel platform directly, not to the hosting infrastructure. This is a meaningful distinction for regulated industries such as healthcare, financial services, and government, where the scope of a vendor's own security certification matters. Pickcel can provide its current SOC 2 Type II report on request.
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