Snapshot
Continue to About ↓- What it does
- Start9 builds free, open-source operating systems and companion hardware for running your own personal server and home router instead of renting cloud services.
More detail
- StartOS turns a mini PC, desktop, laptop or Raspberry Pi 4 into a self-hosted server managed from a browser, and Start9 also sells preinstalled Server One hardware and a RISC-V router running StartWRT.
- Best for
- Individuals and households who want to self-host services such as Bitcoin/Lightning nodes, file storage and password management on hardware they own, including non-technical beginners who want a guided, browser-based setup.
More detail
- Also suits small companies moving off rented SaaS via the Start9 Business tier.
- Pricing
- The StartOS, StartWRT and StartTunnel software is free and open source.
More detail
- Premium Support is $200 per year (payable pseudonymously, with the Dux AI support agent plus the team), and one year is included with a Server One or RISC-V Router purchase.
- Start9 Business is $20,000 per year for roughly 20–50-
- Main limitation
- People who want a fully managed, zero-maintenance cloud service, since updates require manual approval and the product is designed around self-reliance.
More detail
- Buyers needing built-in Wi-Fi on the Server One or RISC-V Router should look elsewhere or plan for separate Wi-Fi hardware.
- Record
- Living and monitored
- Reviewed
- Evidence
- Public web research
- Machine access
- Structured profile ↗
About
- Start9 builds free, open-source operating systems and companion hardware for running your own personal server and home router instead of renting cloud services.
- StartOS turns a mini PC, desktop, laptop or Raspberry Pi 4 into a self-hosted server managed from a browser, and Start9 also sells preinstalled Server One hardware and a RISC-V router running StartWRT.
What it helps with
- Cloud dependency and data custody, keeping files, photos, passwords and messages on hardware you hold
- The terminal barrier to self-hosting, replaced by guided browser-based setup and buttons instead of commands
- Censorship and account suspension risk, since there is no account to suspend or terms of service to violate
- Recurring subscription costs, with software bought once and run for the cost of electricity
- Limited home network control, addressed by StartWRT's per-security-profile networks and tunnels
Capabilities
A practical view of what is available and where limitations apply.
| Offering | Available | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Browser-based server management | Yes | StartOS installs, configures, monitors and backs up from a browser, with an optional terminal |
| Manual update approval | Yes | Nothing updates on its own; each update waits for user approval with release notes |
| Container isolation per service | Yes | Each service runs in an isolated LXC container with its own filesystem, network namespace and resource limits; signed packages are verified before install |
| Open Marketplace with sideloading | Yes | Start9 Registry and Community Registry, plus the ability to run your own registry or sideload from file |
| Private key and token layer | Yes | Keys and tokens never leave the server, with per-service access control |
| Built-in Wi-Fi on Server One | No | Server One lists Gigabit Ethernet with one RJ45 port and no Wi-Fi |
| Wi-Fi included with RISC-V Router | No | Wi-Fi hardware is available separately |
| Self-hosted remote access VPN | Yes | StartTunnel provides a self-hosted WireGuard VPN for private remote access and clearnet hosting |
| Guaranteed support response time | No | Premium Support is best effort as capacity allows, with no guaranteed response time |
| Published hardware price on official pages | Unknown | Server One and RISC-V Router dollar prices are not stated in the captured official pages; confirm on the store |
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Evidence
Where this record came from, when it was reviewed, and how confidently it can be used.
- Verification
- Scribble researched these facts from the linked public sources.
- The owner has not manually confirmed every field.
- Last reviewed
- Primary source
- start9.com
Technical profile details
Record ID
f870371a-a308-4795-8dc2-257613d41c68Canonical URLhttps://profiles.scribble.network/listing/start9-f870371a