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Head-to-head · Self-Hosted App Hosting

Cloudron vs Umbrel

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score Cloudron #4 in Self-Hosted App Hosting 8.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 2 features Visit Cloudron
Umbrel #8 in Self-Hosted App Hosting 7.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 2 features Visit Umbrel

Cloudron leads on 0 checks, Umbrel on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreCloudron · 8.5/10
  • Free planboth

Cloudron scores higher on our rubric for self-hosted app hosting: 8.5 against 7.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #8.

Cloudron is the better fit for managing app installs, updates, backups, and access. Umbrel is the better fit for home labs with many one-click apps.

  • Cloudron fits best

    Managing app installs, updates, backups, and access

  • Umbrel fits best

    Home labs with many one-click apps

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Cloudron 8.5/10 Visit ↗ Umbrel 7.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.5 7.8
Ranking #4 in Self-Hosted App Hosting #8 in Self-Hosted App Hosting
Best for Managing app installs, updates, backups, and access Home labs with many one-click apps
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price €15/mo Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted Self-hosted
Platforms Web, Linux Web
Support Email, Community, Docs Live chat, Community
Integrations 9 integrations 4 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market Solo, Small business
Features Cloudron 1/2 · Umbrel 1/2
Managed app updates Not checked yet —
Automated backups ✓ ✓
Specs
App catalog size Not checked yet 300 apps
App deployment Not checked yet One_click
Backup retention Not checked yet 365 days
Server regions Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • One-click app installs with automated DNS and certificate management
  • Per-app and full-platform backups support restore and migration
  • Centralizes users, roles, app access, and security event auditing
  • Install apps from a catalog of 300+ options with one click.
  • Run on compatible Intel or AMD hardware, Raspberry Pi, or a VM.
  • Encrypted automatic backups support full or selected-file restores.
Cons
  • Requires an existing server to install
  • Free plan is limited to two apps
  • Unlimited apps and app updates require a paid plan
  • App updates must be reviewed and applied manually.
  • Requires your own compatible hardware or a virtual machine.
  • Designed for personal home use, not a hosted server service.
Our verdict

Cloudron gives individuals, developers, and teams a dashboard for installing and managing web applications on a server they control. Its app store offers one-click installation, while the platform handles tasks such as database…

Read the review →

For people who want a home cloud they control, Umbrel runs self-hosted apps and files on compatible Intel or AMD hardware, Raspberry Pi systems, or a virtual machine. Its browser interface brings together apps, storage, and household…

Read the review →
  1. CloudronSelf-Hosted App Hosting 8.5Free plan
  2. UmbrelSelf-Hosted App Hosting 7.8Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Cloudron — where it wins

    • One-click app installs with automated DNS and certificate management
    • Per-app and full-platform backups support restore and migration
    • Centralizes users, roles, app access, and security event auditing

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires an existing server to install
    • Free plan is limited to two apps
    • Unlimited apps and app updates require a paid plan
  • Umbrel — where it wins

    • Install apps from a catalog of 300+ options with one click.
    • Run on compatible Intel or AMD hardware, Raspberry Pi, or a VM.
    • Encrypted automatic backups support full or selected-file restores.

    Where it doesn't

    • App updates must be reviewed and applied manually.
    • Requires your own compatible hardware or a virtual machine.
    • Designed for personal home use, not a hosted server service.

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update