Canopy From $2,500/mo 8.9 Visit OpenKiosk
openkiosk.tech
What it is
OpenKiosk is a remotely configurable public browser terminal based on Mozilla Firefox. It runs as a system-integrated standalone browser, with system-level controls intended to keep public users within web browsing. Administrators can register devices for remote management using a token and change settings through a web interface. After registration succeeds, the token is removed from the device, so a backup token is needed for later device management.
Kiosk settings cover fullscreen display, toolbar and URL bar visibility, an on-screen keyboard, and whether bookmarks persist. Administrators can set session timers and choose whether cache, history, and cookies carry over. URL allowlists or blocklists are available, with a strict mode that checks page resources and may disrupt pages if rules omit required resources. The settings can disable local terminal access and start a clean browser profile. Downloads and uploads are labeled insecure when enabled; uploads can expose the terminal filesystem to web pages. OpenKiosk is free and open source under the Mozilla Public License. Current beta installation instructions require Debian 13 on x86_64 or aarch64 hardware.
Spec sheet
- Purpose
- OpenKiosk is a Firefox-based web browser designed as a public terminal and kiosk solution.Read 8 Oct 2026 · openkiosk.tech
- License
- The maker says the software is open source and released under the Mozilla Public License.Read 8 Oct 2026 · openkiosk.tech
- Beta status and support
- The maker labels the product Beta and asks users to test it and email bugs or issues.Read 8 Oct 2026 · openkiosk.tech
- Browser basis
- The maker describes OpenKiosk as a web browser based on Mozilla Firefox, designed for public terminals.Read 8 Oct 2026 · openkiosk.tech
- Content filtering
- URL filtering supports whitelist and blacklist modes; strict mode checks URLs for resources within a page and the documentation says it may break pages when rules omit resources.Read 8 Oct 2026 · openkiosk.tech
- Current beta
- The maker’s current homepage describes OpenKiosk as a beta that turns a machine into a secure public browser.Read 8 Oct 2026 · openkiosk.tech
- Current installation requirement
- The current beta documentation requires Debian 13 on x86_64 or aarch64 hardware and says other Linux distributions are planned for future support.Read 8 Oct 2026 · openkiosk.tech
- Current release
- The documentation lists version 151.0.4 Beta as the latest release.Read 8 Oct 2026 · openkiosk.tech
- Custom branding
- A custom boot screen can use custom.svg and splash.png files placed in /etc as root.Read 8 Oct 2026 · openkiosk.tech
- Deployment history
- The maker says OpenKiosk has been deployed since 2005 in museums, schools, universities, libraries, hospitals, airports, hotels, governments, and businesses.Read 8 Oct 2026 · openkiosk.tech
- Kiosk controls
- Settings include fullscreen mode, toolbar and URL bar visibility, an on-screen keyboard, and options to retain bookmarks across sessions.Read 8 Oct 2026 · openkiosk.tech
- Legacy desktop downloads
- A separate download page lists Windows, macOS, and Linux packages for release 115.20.0 dated 2025-02-16.Read 8 Oct 2026 · openkiosk.tech
- License and deployment
- The software is open source under the MPL and the maker says it has been deployed since 2005 in public venues and businesses.Read 8 Oct 2026 · openkiosk.tech
- Remote management
- A token can register devices for management through a web interface, where settings for one or all listed devices can be accessed.Read 8 Oct 2026 · openkiosk.tech
- Security controls
- Settings can disable local terminal access, enable a clean browser profile at startup, and restrict downloads and file uploads, which the maker labels insecure when enabled.Read 8 Oct 2026 · openkiosk.tech
- Security-related limits
- The settings documentation labels downloads and file uploads as insecure options, with uploads allowing web pages access to the terminal filesystem.Read 8 Oct 2026 · openkiosk.tech
- Session controls
- Administrators can set a session timer, show an ending countdown, and control whether cache, history, and cookies persist across sessions.Read 8 Oct 2026 · openkiosk.tech
- Support contact
- The contact page lists [email protected] for inquiries and [email protected] for bug reports.Read 8 Oct 2026 · openkiosk.tech
- Supported hardware
- The documentation specifies x86_64 and aarch64 devices and includes installation instructions for Raspberry Pi 5.Read 8 Oct 2026 · openkiosk.tech
- System integration
- The maker describes the current version as a system-integrated standalone public browser, with system-level controls intended to restrict public users to web browsing.Read 8 Oct 2026 · openkiosk.tech
- System requirement
- The current installation instructions require Debian 13 (trixie) and an existing system user named openkiosk.Read 8 Oct 2026 · openkiosk.tech
- Text to speech
- The installer offers an optional 555M PiperTTS package for website narration, with shipped languages da, de, en-US, es-ES, fr, and it.Read 8 Oct 2026 · openkiosk.tech
- Token handling
- After a device successfully registers for remote management, its token is automatically removed from the device; the maker instructs users to save a backup token for managing devices.Read 8 Oct 2026 · openkiosk.tech
- Touchscreen and accessibility
- Settings include an on-screen keyboard, and the documentation describes optional Piper text-to-speech narration with Danish, German, US English, Spanish, French, and Italian.Read 8 Oct 2026 · openkiosk.tech
- URL controls
- Settings support URL allowlists or blocklists, with an optional strict mode that checks resources inside each page.Read 8 Oct 2026 · openkiosk.tech
Plans and prices
OpenKiosk Free Open source under MPL; donations accepted Read 8 Oct 2026 · openkiosk.tech
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Remote device settings through a web interface
- URL allowlists and blocklists
- Session timers and browser data controls
- Free and open source under the MPL
Limits
- Current release is labeled Beta
- Current installation instructions require Debian 13
- Strict filtering may disrupt pages
- Downloads and uploads are labeled insecure when enabled
Who it suits
OpenKiosk suits organizations setting up public browsing terminals that need remote configuration, session controls, and URL filtering. The current installation instructions target Debian 13 on x86_64 or aarch64 devices.
Verdict
OpenKiosk provides configurable browser and session controls for public terminals, including remote management and URL filtering. Its current beta documentation specifies Debian 13 and supported hardware, so those requirements matter when planning a deployment.
Where Specifiction places it
- Kiosk Management Software#5 of 278.3
- Kiosk Browsers#5 of 208.2
