Umbrel makes self-hosting easier by packaging a browser-managed home-server operating system with an app marketplace. You can install umbrelOS on supported Intel or AMD hardware, a Raspberry Pi 4 or 5, or a virtual machine—or choose Umbrel Home or Pro for prebuilt hardware. For a straightforward DIY setup, use a 64-bit system with at least 4 GB of RAM, a 32 GB boot drive, and Ethernet; choose storage and processing power to match the apps you plan to run.
What Umbrel does—and what it does not do
Umbrel is a personal server platform for running services such as file storage, photo backup, media streaming, home automation, AI tools, and Bitcoin apps. You manage it in a web browser, and its App Store offers hundreds of self-hosted apps. Umbrel also supports community app stores, which can add packages beyond the official store.
Think of umbrelOS as the software layer, not the server itself: it needs compatible hardware that stays powered on and connected to your home network. Umbrel says the same umbrelOS image, features, and updates are available on Umbrel Home, Umbrel Pro, and supported user-owned hardware. Umbrel’s overview and support guidance for installing on your own hardware describe those options.
Choose the hardware route that fits your needs
The key trade-off is convenience versus control. A prebuilt system reduces setup and component-selection work; DIY hardware gives you more choice over cost, capacity, and upgrades. A virtual machine is useful for trying the system on a computer you already own, but it shares that computer’s resources.
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#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
| Route | Setup and storage | Performance and expansion | Support responsibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Umbrel Home | Plug-and-play with umbrelOS pre-installed; up to 4 TB of stated storage. | Prebuilt configuration; less component choice than a DIY build. | Umbrel supports umbrelOS, while the prebuilt route avoids much of the hardware selection and assembly work. |
| Umbrel Pro | Purpose-built system with up to 32 TB across four SSD slots. | Faster processor and networking than the Home route; supports FailSafe mode when the hardware supports multiple drives. | Prebuilt hardware reduces configuration work; verify the specific system’s drive arrangement for redundancy needs. |
| DIY Intel/AMD | Use an eligible 64-bit machine and choose onboard, internal, or attached storage following Umbrel’s layout guidance. | Broadest hardware choice and upgrade flexibility; CPU and GPU resources depend on the machine you select. | You select and maintain the components. Umbrel supports its OS but cannot diagnose third-party hardware failures. |
| DIY Raspberry Pi | Compact, lower-cost route using a Raspberry Pi 5 or 4; boot from NVMe or USB rather than relying on microSD. | Pi 5 is the preferred choice in current download guidance. NVMe HAT compatibility and power quality affect the build. | You are responsible for choosing compatible storage, power, and accessories. |
| Virtual machine | Runs on an existing computer; allocate at least a 32 GB virtual disk and 4 GB RAM. | Convenient for testing, but performance depends on the host and resources assigned to the VM. | You configure the VM, including EFI firmware and bridged networking, and maintain the host computer. |
For demanding media, AI, or other resource-heavy apps, do not treat the minimum OS requirements as a performance recommendation: leave room for the workloads you intend to run. Storage capacity and redundancy are separate considerations. A larger drive gives you more space, while multiple drives and a supported redundancy configuration can help protect availability; neither removes the need for backups.
Check the baseline before installing
64-bit Intel or AMD computer
Umbrel’s official downloads guidance lists a dual-core-or-better processor, 4 GB minimum RAM, and 8 GB or more recommended RAM, plus a 32 GB drive for the operating system. These are Umbrel’s stated requirements, not independent performance benchmarks. Ethernet is recommended, and a USB SSD is the recommended boot medium for many systems. Consult Umbrel’s downloads page and its hardware and installation guidance for the applicable layout details.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Raspberry Pi
Use a Raspberry Pi 5 or 4, with the Pi 5 preferred in current download guidance. Boot from NVMe or USB storage instead of relying on a microSD card. Check that an NVMe HAT is compatible with your Pi and that the power supply can support the board and attached storage.
Virtual machine
Allocate at least 4 GB of RAM and a 32 GB virtual disk, select EFI firmware, and use a bridged network adapter. Bridged networking puts the VM on the local network so other devices can reach its hostname or address.
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- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Install umbrelOS and complete browser setup
- Choose the correct image. Select the Intel/AMD, Raspberry Pi, or VM image that matches your hardware from Umbrel’s downloads page.
- Prepare a boot drive. Use a drive of at least 32 GB and flash the image with Balena Etcher or Raspberry Pi Imager. Flashing erases the selected target drive, so verify the destination before you start.
- Connect and boot. Connect Ethernet, attach the boot drive, and power on the machine. Allow several minutes for the first startup.
- Open Umbrel on your network. From a computer on the same network, visit
umbrel.localin a browser and complete the on-screen setup. - Keep the boot drive connected. Use the remaining internal or attached storage for apps and files as appropriate to your system’s storage layout.
What you can do with Umbrel day to day
Install supported services from the App Store, including file storage, photo backup, media streaming, ad blocking, home automation, AI, and Bitcoin tools. Community app stores can provide additional packages, so assess a package’s origin and maintenance before relying on it for important data or services.
Umbrel also offers an iPhone app for camera-roll backup and a Mac app that exposes shared folders in Finder. Check Umbrel support for current instructions and app availability.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Plan access, backups, and maintenance separately
Local HTTPS is not remote access
Umbrel’s HTTPS support explains that HTTPS protects browser connections within Umbrel and may trigger a certificate warning, but “It doesn’t make your Umbrel reachable from outside your home.” If you want to connect from outside your home, treat remote access as a separate network and security decision; do not assume HTTPS alone provides it.
Protect data and keep the system maintained
Read Umbrel’s official backup, restore, update, and connectivity guides before storing irreplaceable files. A redundant drive arrangement can reduce some hardware-related downtime, but it is not a backup: keep a separate copy of important data and know how you would restore it. Follow the platform’s update guidance and confirm you can reach the server on your local network before troubleshooting an app.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Umbrel’s license and commercial use
Umbrel states that umbrelOS is free for personal use under the PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0 license. Commercial OEM use requires contacting Umbrel; developers packaging apps can use the Umbrel App Framework. Review the license and current Umbrel terms before using the software in a commercial product.
Quick Recap
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