BenQ InstaShow vs Airtame 2
Airtame and Polycom offer wireless screen sharing. Both solutions provide a physical product (the receiver) which connects to an HDMI display (or VGA display with an adapter). Here we provide a feature comparison between Airtame 2 and BenQ’s various InstaShow models.
A key difference is that Airtame relies on either the Airtame application or built-in screen sharing protocols (AirPlay, Miracast, Google Cast) to share your computer or mobile device screen to a large display. The app and built-in protocols are free, meaning no additional cost associated with accommodating more presenters. All of the InstaShow models require the presenter to use a physical button that plugs into their computer or mobile device, with more buttons requiring more investment. Each InstaShow package includes two buttons and one InstaShow Host, which is the device that physically connects to the large display.
Another distinction is that, while BenQ does provide digital signage, this does not come along with its InstaShow presentation technology. We have accordingly left the digital signage cells blank.
Please note that all technical specifications are taken directly from BenQ’s website. In cases where pricing is not directly listed online, we include the quoted reseller price.
| Airtame 2 | InstaShow WDC10 | InstaShow WDC10C | InstaShow S WDC20 | |
| Powering | AC adapter or Power over Ethernet | AC adapter | AC adapter | AC adapter |
| Price* | ||||
| Cost of hardware | $399 | $1299.00 | $1399.00 | $1499.00 |
| Cost of software | Free | No Software | No Software | No Software |
| Cost of central management system | Free | Free | Free | Free |
| Device management | Free | Free | Free | Free |
| Digital signage | Based on subscription** | – | – | Customized Standby Wallpaper |
| Connectivity | ||||
| Windows | ✓ Airtame app + Miracast | ✓ InstaShow Button | ✓ InstaShow Button with USB-C | ✓ InstaShow Button |
| macOS | ✓ Airtame app + AirPlay | ✓ InstaShow Button | ✓ InstaShow Button with USB-C | ✓ InstaShow Button |
| Chromebook | ✓ Airtame app + Google Cast | ✓ InstaShow Button | ✓ InstaShow Button with USB-C | ✓ InstaShow Button |
| Linux | ✓ Airtame app | ✓ InstaShow Button | ✓ InstaShow Button with USB-C | ✓ InstaShow Button |
| iOS | ✓ AirPlay | ✓ InstaShow Button | ✓ InstaShow Button with USB-C | ✓ InstaShow Button |
| Android | ✓ Google Cast + Miracast | ✓ InstaShow Button | ✓ InstaShow Button with USB-C | ✓ InstaShow Button |
| Sharing | ||||
| Resolution | 1080p up to 60 fps | 1080p up to 30 fps | 1080p up to 60 fps | 1080p up to 60 fps |
| Presenter mode | ✓ Single window sharing + extended desktop (with Miracast) | ✓ Extended desktop | ✓ Extended desktop | ✓ Extended desktop |
| One-to-many screen sharing | ✓ desktop app | – | – | – |
| Security | ||||
| Works on enterprise networks | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pin code connect | ✓ | – | – | – |
| Web Proxy support | ✓ | – | – | – |
| Device management | ||||
| Bulk updates | ✓ Airtame Cloud | ✓ Web GUI for devices on LAN | ✓ Web GUI for devices on LAN | ✓ Web GUI for devices on LAN |
| Remote updates | ✓ Airtame Cloud | ✓ Web GUI for devices on LAN | ✓ Web GUI for devices on LAN | ✓ Web GUI for devices on LAN |
| Different access levels | ✓ Airtame Cloud | – | – | – |
| Digital signage | ||||
| Websites | ✓ Airtame Cloud | – | – | – |
| Videos | ✓ Airtame Cloud | – | – | – |
| Custom images | ✓ Airtame Cloud | – | – | – |
| Productivity apps and dashboards | ✓ Airtame Cloud | – | – | – |
| Calendar sync for room management | ✓ Airtame Cloud | – | – | – |
*VAT not included.
**Customers can choose between an annual ($120 per year per screen) or a monthly plan ($12 per month per screen) for Airtame Cloud’s premium features. Device management and basic digital signage are available to all customers at no additional cost.
Why Airtame?
Airtame offers a single, unified solution for every screen and use case. It’s a scalable solution with a clear return on investment, including decreased meeting downtime and IT maintenance.
Internal and guest presenters can easily share their screen in an instant, improving the overall work and learning experience while encouraging productivity and engagement. Digital signage with Airtame Cloud further enables organizations to make the most of their screens.
Airtame is the perfect match for everyday presenters, IT administrators and managers.
More than 20,000 companies and educational institutions are using Airtame.
Contact us to learn more.
Last edited on May 18th, 2020