UniFi OS Server released: What's new?

Ubiquiti has released UniFi OS Server in Early Access. This a major change to how UniFi can be deployed and managed. For the first time, the full UniFi OS stack can run on your own hardware, fully decoupled from Dream Machines, Cloud Keys, or other UniFi consoles.

This update gives MSPs and IT teams full control of the UniFi ecosystem (like: VPN, Identity, RF analytics, backups, firmware management) without needing to buy a physical gateway for each client.

Here's what changed. Let's dive in!

What is UniFi OS Server?

UniFi OS Server is a self-hosted version of Ubiquiti’s full software stack. It includes:

• UniFi Network – manage switches, gateways, and APs
• SiteMagic VPN – SD-WAN mesh across remote locations
• InnerSpace – indoor mapping and RF visualization
• UniFi Identity – secure logins, SSO, device-level access policies

You can install it on your own infrastructure using standard container tools (no license, no forced cloud, no hardware requirements beyond basic system specs).

Why is this a major update

No more hardware lock-in

You no longer need a Cloud Key or Dream Machine for each site just to get Identity or VPN. Now you can host everything centrally and manage all clients from a single instance.

Full-stack features, without appliances

For the first time, you can self-host features that were previously locked to UniFi consoles:

• VPN between remote sites, without IPSec config
• Secure, role-based logins with Identity
• Wi-Fi heatmaps and floorplans via InnerSpace

All in one container stack.

Centralized control for dozens (or hundreds) of sites

UniFi OS Server connects to UniFi Site Manager, so you can:

• See all clients in one view
• Deploy firmware and policy changes globally
• Log, alert, and monitor at scale

You get the visibility you’ve always needed, without hardware or hacks.

What changed?

Before this release, you could only self-host the UniFi Network Application. Features like Identity, SiteMagic, and InnerSpace were only available on Ubiquiti consoles like the UDM Pro or Cloud Key.

Now, the full stack runs on:

• x86, x64, or ARM64 CPUs
• VMs, mini PCs, or bare metal
• Linux, macOS, and Windows (via WSL2)

It can run entirely offline or connect to Ubiquiti's Site Manager and remote tools, depending on how you configure it.

So what’s supported today?

• ✅ UniFi Network
• ✅ InnerSpace
• ✅ UniFi Identity
• ✅ SiteMagic VPN
• ❌ UniFi Protect (not yet)
• ❌ UniFi Access / Talk (not yet)
• ❌ Gateway functionality (routing/firewall must be separate)

Setup overview

Setting up UniFi OS Server is straightforward if you’re comfortable with containers. High-level steps:

1. Install Podman (Linux) or WSL2 (Windows)
2. Download the official installer for your platform
3. Run the containerized stack
4. Access the server locally at https://localhost:11443
5. Log in with your UI account
6. Add or restore sites, import backups, and deploy apps

Here are the UniFI OS download links.

Features like backups, SSL certificates, and high availability are not preconfigured, you’ll need to set those up manually.

Deployment options

You can run UniFi OS Server on:

• Linux servers with Podman (Debian, Ubuntu, etc.)
• Windows 10/11 with WSL2
• macOS (Intel and ARM)
• Virtual machines (Proxmox, ESXi, VirtualBox)
• Mini PCs or custom appliances (Intel NUCs, N305 boxes)

System requirements (unofficial)

Ubiquiti hasn’t published formal specs, but early users report success with:

• CPU: 2+ cores
• RAM: 2–4 GB minimum (8 GB recommended for production)
• Disk: 20 GB+
• Network: Access to standard UniFi ports (e.g. 8080, 8443, 10001, etc.)

You’ll also want to provision DNS, SSL (Let’s Encrypt), and off-site backups if you’re running this in production.

Hosting it yourself vs. handing it off

UniFi OS Server gives you flexibility, but it’s not plug-and-play. You’re still responsible for:

• Keeping containers patched and updated
• Managing disk, CPU, and memory overhead
• Setting up SSL and secure access
• Monitoring uptime, logs, and alerts
• Creating a backup and restore strategy

If you want to run the full UniFi OS stack, but without maintaining containers, updates, backups, or security, we’ve got you covered.

UniHosted is the first managed hosting provider for UniFi OS Server, purpose-built for MSPs. It’s already live across 30+ global regions, with SiteMagic VPN, UniFi Identity, backups, and centralized control. All preconfigured and production-ready.