StartOS

Browser-based operating system for running a personal server.

About StartOS

StartOS is a browser-based, graphical operating system that makes running a personal server as easy as running a personal computer. From its interface you can discover, install, configure, back up and monitor self-hosted services, including Bitcoin and Lightning nodes, from a built-in marketplace. The MIT-licensed system installs free on your own hardware, while Start9 also sells preconfigured servers with support memberships.

StartOS website preview

Live preview of start9.com via the WordPress mShots service — it can take a few seconds to generate on a first visit.

StartOS: strengths & things to check

Strengths

Completely free to use — this directory lists no paid plan for it.
Covers server os, self hosting, bitcoin, privacy — see the focus areas listed in its key facts.
Has 6 close alternatives in the same category on this page, so switching or comparing is easy.

Things to check

Free tools can change their model or shut down — avoid locking critical work into it without an export path.
Current plan prices are not listed here (they change too often to print reliably) — confirm the exact price on the official site.
It is one of 879 tools in the Utilities & Security category here — compare it against the alternatives below before you commit.

Derived from this listing's own data (pricing model, focus areas and category) — not a hands-on review score.

StartOS pricing

Pricing model	Free — listed in this directory as a free tool, with no paid plan required to use it.
Free access	Yes — fully free
Current plan prices	Listed on the official site — prices change, so this directory links out instead of printing a number that may already be stale.
Official site	start9.com

StartOS key facts

Category: Utilities & Security
Pricing: Free — listed in this directory as a free tool, with no paid plan required to use it.
Focus areas: server os, self hosting, bitcoin, privacy
Official site: start9.com

StartOS FAQ

How much does StartOS cost?

Free — listed in this directory as a free tool, with no paid plan required to use it. Current plans and prices are listed on the official site (start9.com).

What is StartOS used for?

Browser-based operating system for running a personal server. Its focus areas in the Utilities & Security category: server os, self hosting, bitcoin, privacy.

Where can I try StartOS?

On its official site, start9.com — the Visit Official Site button above goes straight there.

StartOS vs alternatives

	StartOS	FreedomBox	HomelabOS	Nirvati
Pricing	Free — listed in this directory as a free tool, with no paid plan required to use it.	Free — listed in this directory as a free tool, with no paid plan required to use it.	Free — listed in this directory as a free tool, with no paid plan required to use it.	Free — listed in this directory as a free tool, with no paid plan required to use it.
Focus areas	server os, self hosting, bitcoin, privacy	self hosting, privacy, home server, open source	self hosting, data center, privacy, docker	self hosting, apps, kubernetes, privacy
Official site	start9.com	freedombox.org	homelabos.com	nirvati.org
Directory status	Listed	Listed	Listed	Listed

Side-by-side from each listing's own directory data. Full alternative cards are below.

About the Utilities & Security category

Password managers, cloud storage, and VPNs for everyday digital security. The Utilities & Security category on Tools Hub currently lists 879 tools. Alongside StartOS, it includes UBOS, rs-short, Secluso, PDF Guru.

FreeUtilities & Securityserver-osself-hostingbitcoinprivacy

Alternatives to StartOS

Tools in the same Utilities & Security category that share focus areas with StartOS — worth comparing before you commit:

Utilities & Security

FreedomBox

A personal server at home for private, personal communications.

Freeself-hostingprivacyhome-serveropen-source

Utilities & Security

HomelabOS

Your own offline-first, privacy-centric open-source data centre.

Freeself-hostingdata-centerprivacydocker

Utilities & Security

Nirvati

Free, open-source self-hosting platform with one-click apps.

Freeself-hostingappskubernetesprivacy

Utilities & Security

Sandstorm

Self-host web-based productivity apps easily and securely

Freeself-hostingweb-appsopen-sourceprivacy

Utilities & Security

YunoHost

Garden your own piece of the Internet with an accessible server OS.

Freeself-hostingserver-oshome-serveropen-source

Utilities & Security

NordVPN

Fast, private VPN with thousands of servers.

Paidvpnprivacysecurity

More in Utilities & Security

Comparing tools in the Utilities & Security category? These related listings are worth a look: UBOS — Linux distro making self-hosting apps ten times easier; rs-short — Lightweight free link shortener written in Rust; Secluso — A completely private, end-to-end encrypted security camera.