Airtame is a wireless screen mirroring and digital signage unit that plugs into any screen via HDMI and draws power from USB. Instead of relying on Miracast, AirPlay, or Google Cast, it runs a proprietary protocol built for reliability inside enterprise and education environments. Presenters mirror from Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, or Android without installing dedicated software on every machine, though an optional desktop app unlocks extra controls.
Founded in 2014 in Copenhagen and launched on Indiegogo with over $1.2 million in backing, Airtame has since raised multiple venture rounds and pivoted from a consumer gadget to a managed enterprise solution. The product now lives primarily in conference rooms, classrooms, and digital signage deployments where IT teams need to oversee dozens or hundreds of screens remotely.
This guide covers how Airtame's technology works, its hardware and software requirements, setup and management, primary use cases, security features, the company's background, and how its pricing compares to alternatives like Barco ClickShare and ScreenBeam.
How Airtame's Protocol Differs from Miracast, AirPlay, and Google Cast
Consumer wireless screen standards were designed for the living room. Miracast creates a direct Wi-Fi link between the sender and the screen, which works at home but collapses when 20 laptops in a conference center try to reach different screens on overlapping channels. AirPlay demands an Apple device or licensed receiver and a local network with Bonjour multicast enabled, a service many corporate IT departments disable for security. Google Cast streams a URL to the screen rather than mirroring the sender's desktop, so it is limited to applications that explicitly support the protocol.
Airtame sends a compressed video stream over the local Wi-Fi infrastructure using standard TCP/IP. The unit joins the same network as the presenter's laptop or phone, so it never needs a separate Wi-Fi Direct handshake. The signal can travel through walls and does not degrade when multiple Airtame units operate on the same network. The protocol prioritizes low latency and consistent frame rate over maximum resolution; on a well-configured network it delivers 60 frames per second at 1080p.
Why the Protocol Matters for Deployments
IT staff who have tried to roll out Miracast across a campus often discover that the user experience shifts with laptop manufacturer and Wi-Fi card driver version. Airtame's protocol eliminates that variability because decoding happens inside the dongle, not on the sender. The sender only needs to reach the Airtame unit over the network, which any standards-compliant Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection can do.
Hardware Requirements and Cross-OS Compatibility
The Airtame dongle is a compact, self-contained unit that plugs into a screen's HDMI port and draws power from USB, either the screen's own port or a wall adapter. It outputs 1080p at 60 frames per second. No separate transmitter or receiver dock is required.
On the software side, Airtame works with Windows 7 and later, macOS 10.11 and later, most Linux distributions that support a modern web browser, iOS 10 and later, and Android 5 and later. Users can join a session through a web browser on any platform with zero installation. The optional desktop application for Windows and macOS adds extended desktop mode, application-specific sharing, and the ability to reach a screen by typing a short code instead of browsing for it on the network.
Network Requirements
Airtame recommends a dedicated 5 GHz Wi-Fi network for large deployments, though the unit also works on 2.4 GHz networks at reduced performance. The dongle supports both WPA2 and WPA3 encryption for the network connection itself. In environments where Wi-Fi is unreliable, Airtame units can link up via Ethernet using a USB-to-Ethernet adapter, though this is not a standard configuration for most buyers.
Setup Process for IT Teams
Airtame Cloud is the web-based management platform that IT staff use to configure and monitor every Airtame unit in an organization. The platform lets teams set device names, assign units to rooms, adjust screen settings, push firmware updates, and manage user access. Units can be grouped by location or department, and each group can carry its own settings.
Bulk deployment happens through Airtame Provisioning. A configuration profile can be created that applies to all new units the moment they first join the network. The profile can include Wi-Fi credentials, Airtame Cloud account information, and default screen settings. Units can be shipped directly to end users, who only need to plug them in and power on the screen; the device then reaches the network and applies the configuration automatically.
Day-to-Day Management
Staff can see which units are online, which users are currently connected to each unit, and how long each session lasted. They can remotely reboot a device or push a firmware update to all units at once. Airtame Cloud logs connection history, useful for troubleshooting or auditing room utilization. The platform also supports role-based access, so different team members can hold different levels of control over different groups of units.
Primary Use Cases: Conference Rooms, Classrooms, and Digital Signage
In conference rooms, Airtame replaces the physical cable between a laptop and a projector or screen. Users walk into a room, open a browser or the Airtame app, and select the room's screen from a list. The unit supports up to four simultaneous connections, allowing multiple presenters to share content in a split-view layout. This is useful for comparing documents or for meetings with several presenters.
In classrooms, teachers can mirror a laptop or tablet to the room screen without standing at a podium. Students can also share their screens for presentations or group work, provided the teacher grants access through Airtame Cloud settings. The unit supports guest access, so visitors can join without needing an account.
Digital Signage Mode
Airtame can show a web page or a list of images on a loop, functioning as a digital signage player. Staff configure the signage content through Airtame Cloud, selecting the URL or image set, the refresh interval, and the display schedule. This mode is commonly used for lobby welcome screens, cafeteria menus, and hallway information displays. The unit runs the signage content even when no one is connected to it, and it can switch between signage and presentation modes on a schedule.
Security Features for Enterprise Environments
Airtame encrypts the video stream between the sending device and the dongle using AES encryption. This prevents anyone on the same network from intercepting the presentation content. The unit itself never stores displayed content; it acts as a real-time decoder and discards the stream after each frame is rendered.
Network authentication is handled through the existing Wi-Fi or Ethernet infrastructure. Airtame does not require its own authentication server or portal. Staff can control which users can reach the Airtame Cloud management platform using single sign-on integration with Google Workspace, Microsoft Azure Active Directory, or Okta. When an employee leaves the organization and their account is deactivated, they lose access to Airtame Cloud automatically.
Connection Security
Each Airtame unit shows a unique pairing code on screen. Users must enter this code to join, which prevents unauthorized access even if someone knows the unit's IP address. The code changes after each session. Staff can also require that users be on the same subnet as the unit, blocking remote connections from outside the building.
Company Background and Evolution from Crowdfunding to Venture-Backed Business
Airtame was founded in 2014 in Copenhagen. The company launched its first product on Indiegogo and raised over $1.2 million from backers who wanted a straightforward wireless screen adapter that did not require Apple TV or Chromecast. The initial hardware shipped to backers in 2015 and earned positive reviews for cross-platform compatibility, but the company quickly recognized that the larger market was business and education, not consumer living rooms.
In the years following the crowdfunding campaign, Airtame raised multiple venture capital rounds. The company used the capital to build Airtame Cloud, the enterprise management platform, and to develop the digital signage feature. It also expanded its sales team to target corporate IT buyers and school districts. By 2020, the majority of Airtame's revenue came from organizations purchasing units in quantities of 10 or more.
Current Position
As of October 2023, Airtame operates as an independent company based in Copenhagen. It competes with Barco ClickShare, Mersive Solstice, and ScreenBeam in the enterprise wireless presentation market, and with consumer devices like Chromecast and Apple TV in smaller deployments. The company has not been acquired or merged, and its original crowdfunded hardware generation is no longer sold, though the company has not publicly stated whether it is still supported.
Comparison of Airtame with Alternative Solutions
| Feature | Airtame | Barco ClickShare | ScreenBeam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protocol | Proprietary TCP/IP stream | Proprietary over USB dongle | Miracast with extension |
| Cross-OS support | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android |
| Cloud management | Airtame Cloud (included) | ClickShare Manager (paid add-on) | ScreenBeam Management Console (included) |
| Digital signage | Built-in, no extra hardware | Requires ClickShare Conference or separate player | Not available |
| Maximum simultaneous presenters | 4 (split view) | 2 (split view on most models) | 1 (primary); 4 (with Replicon mode) |
| Typical deployment size | 10-500 devices | 50-5,000 devices | 100-10,000 devices |
| Pricing model | Hardware purchase; optional subscription for cloud features | Hardware purchase; subscription for cloud features | Hardware purchase; no subscription required |
Key Facts
- Founded: 2014 in Copenhagen, Denmark
- Crowdfunding: Raised over $1.2 million on Indiegogo
- Supported operating systems: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
- Management platform: Airtime Cloud, cloud-based remote administration
- Security: AES encryption, device pairing codes, SSO integration
- Primary use cases: Wireless presentation, digital signage, classroom display
- Funding status: Multiple rounds of venture capital; not acquired as of October 2023
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Airtame require an internet connection to work?
The Airtame unit needs to be on the same local network as the sending device. It does not require internet access for screen mirroring, but internet is required for Airtame Cloud management and firmware updates.
Can I use Airtame without a subscription?
The hardware works for basic screen mirroring without a subscription. However, Airtame Cloud management, digital signage, and remote administration features require an active subscription. The exact pricing tiers and whether a subscription is mandatory for all features are not established here.
How many devices can one Airtame Cloud account manage?
Airtame Cloud supports an unlimited number of units, though very large deployments may require a custom plan from the company. The platform is designed for organizations with hundreds of devices.
Does Airtame support 4K resolution?
As of October 2023, Airtame supports 1080p at 60 fps. The company has not announced 4K support. For 4K presentations, Barco ClickShare or a direct HDMI connection are alternatives.
Can students connect to a classroom Airtame without IT approval?
Teachers can enable guest access through Airtame Cloud, which allows anyone on the network to join by entering the on-screen pairing code. This can be turned off for exam periods or sensitive presentations.
