Head-to-head · Self-Hosted App Hosting
Stackspin vs Umbrel
Stackspin leads on 1 check, Umbrel on 0, and 2 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 scoreStackspin · 7.1/10
- Free planboth
- Most featuresStackspin · 2 of 2
Stackspin scores higher on our rubric for self-hosted app hosting: 7.1 against 6.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #6 and #7.
Stackspin offers managed app updates; Umbrel doesn't.
Stackspin is the better fit for small teams hosting a curated app stack. Umbrel is the better fit for home labs with many one-click apps.
- Stackspin fits best
Small teams hosting a curated app stack
- Umbrel fits best
Home labs with many one-click apps
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Side by side
| Feature | Stackspin 7.1/10 Visit ↗ | Umbrel 6.8/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 7.1 | 6.8 |
| Ranking | #6 in Self-Hosted App Hosting | #7 in Self-Hosted App Hosting |
| Best for | Small teams hosting a curated app stack | Home labs with many one-click apps |
| Pricing model | Free | Free |
| Starting price | Not published | Not published |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Self-hosted | Self-hosted |
| Support | Live chat, Community | |
| Integrations | 9 integrations | 4 integrations |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market | Solo, Small business |
| Features Stackspin 2/2 · Umbrel 1/2 | ||
| Managed app updates | ✓ (best) | — |
| Automated backups | ✓ | ✓ |
| Specs | ||
| App catalog size | Not published | 300 apps |
| App deployment | One_click | One_click |
| Backup retention | Not published | 365 days |
| Server regions | Not published | Not published |
| Our review | ||
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | Stackspin is an open-source platform for deploying and managing self-hosted collaboration applications. It is aimed at civil society organizations and value-driven teams that want a shared operating layer for tools such as Nextcloud,… 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 → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Stackspin — where it wins
- Dashboard installs and manages a focused collaboration app catalog
- Unified users and OpenID single sign-on across supported apps
- Automatic updates, optional Velero backups, and Grafana/Prometheus monitoring
Where it doesn't
- Requires configuring and managing your own Kubernetes cluster
- App choices are limited to a defined catalog of supported tools
- Backups are optional and require Velero and S3-compatible storage setup
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.
- Stackspin7.1/10 · Free plan
Free, open-source app hosting for teams willing to manage Kubernetes.
Visit StackspinFull verdict → - Umbrel6.8/10 · Free plan
A free home-cloud OS with a broad one-click app catalog and manual updates.
Visit UmbrelFull verdict →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026
Last updated · How we research and update