YunoHost review
A free, open-source way to install and administer services on a server you provide.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
YunoHost is an open-source server operating system for people, friends, associations, and companies that want to host digital services on infrastructure they control. It is aimed at solo users and small groups who are prepared to provide and administer a server, rather than buyers looking for a hosting provider to supply managed infrastructure. YunoHost offers a web administration interface and command-line tools for installing catalog applications and handling common administration tasks. It is free to use, with no paid plan tiers described here.
The administration workflow covers more than app deployment. During installation, an administrator can choose an app's domain and URL path, then manage its access permissions and whether it is publicly available. Supported apps can integrate with YunoHost LDAP and single sign-on. System packages and apps can be upgraded through either the web interface or command line. These controls make YunoHost a fit for users who want to run several services under their own administration and manage how people reach them. It is less suited to teams that expect a provider to handle infrastructure operations or run upgrades automatically.
Backups can include system configuration, data, and supported apps, and administrators can restore them. The trade-off is operational responsibility: backups are manually created, while upgrades are administrator-triggered. Support is through community channels and documentation, so organizations seeking a described managed support arrangement should consider an alternative. Choose YunoHost if you want free, self-hosted app and service administration and are comfortable maintaining the server and initiating routine tasks. Look elsewhere if you need supplied hosting infrastructure, managed updates, or automatically created backups.
YunoHost pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Install catalog apps through a web interface or command line
- Manage app domains, URL paths, permissions, and public availability
- Upgrade software and back up configuration, data, and supported apps
- Where it doesn't
- Requires you to provide and administer the server
- Upgrades are administrator-triggered rather than managed automatically
- Backups must be created manually
YunoHost fact sheet, pricing and score →
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