Are you running the legacy UniFi Self-Hosted Controller (UniFi Network Server) and thinking about upgrading to the new UniFi OS Server?
Why upgrade to the new UniFi OS Server?
Quite simply, the old controller software is now legacy and all the new features are going in UniFi OS Server. Further details below.
The new UniFi OS Server is a significant upgrade from the legacy UniFi Network Server, offering a more feature-rich and modern experience for self-hosting your UniFi network. Here’s a comparison and the reasons why you should consider upgrading.
IT Pro Expert can assist and/or perform this upgrade for you if required.
Comparison: UniFi Network Server vs. UniFi OS Server
| Feature | UniFi Network Server (Legacy) | UniFi OS Server (New) | Official UniFi Hosting (Cloud) |
| Core Functionality | Basic UniFi Network management | Full UniFi OS experience, on par with UniFi consoles | Scalable, cloud-native UniFi Network management |
| Supported Applications | UniFi Network only | UniFi Network, InnerSpace. Future support for Protect, Talk, and Access | UniFi Network, UniFi Talk Relay |
| Key Features | • Basic WiFi & Network Management • VLAN & Subnet Configuration • DPI Traffic Identification • Guest Portal & Hotspot System • Limited Remote Access via unifi.ui.com | • All legacy features, plus: • Modern UniFi OS Interface • Site Magic SD-WAN: Securely connect multiple sites ** • Identity Provider (IdP) Integration: Use Google/Microsoft for WiFi/VPN authentication • Organizations: Group multiple sites under one entity for easier management • Container-based architecture (Podman/WSL2) • Unified OS & Application Updates | • All UniFi Network features, plus: • Zero-Maintenance: No user hardware or software updates required • High Availability & Scalability: Managed by Ubiquiti for optimal uptime and performance • Global Presence: Low-latency access from anywhere • Simplified Device Adoption: Devices can be adopted directly to the cloud controller • Predictable subscription cost |
| Management Interface | Older, legacy web interface | Modern, unified UniFi OS interface | UniFi Site Manager or UniFi Mobile App |
| Updates | Manual (Java & Controller application must be updated separately) | Unified updates for the OS and all installed applications | Fully managed by Ubiquiti |
| Remote Management | Via unifi.ui.com (requires cloud connection) | Centralized multi-site control via Site Manager (https://www.google.com/search?q=site.ui.com) | Natively managed through the UniFi Site Manager and Mobile App |
| Cost | Free (license-free) | Free (license-free) | Subscription-based, tiered by the number of devices |
| Hardware | Self-provided (PC, server, Raspberry Pi, etc.) | Self-provided (Linux Server, Windows PC with WSL2, etc.) | None required |
| Maintenance | User is responsible for OS, Java, controller updates, backups, and uptime | User is responsible for OS, container environment, backups, and uptime | Fully managed by Ubiquiti |
Why It’s Important to Upgrade
Upgrading to the new UniFi OS Server is important for several reasons:
Modern Experience: The UniFi OS Server provides the full, modern UniFi OS experience that you get with UniFi’s dedicated hardware like the Cloud Key or Dream Machine. This means a more intuitive and feature-rich management interface.
Future-Proofing: The new server is built on a containerized architecture that is designed to support future UniFi applications. While it currently supports UniFi Network and InnerSpace, support for Protect, Talk, and Access is expected in the future, making it a more future-proof solution.
Enhanced Features: You gain access to powerful features that are not available in the legacy controller, such as Site Magic SD-WAN, IdP integration, and better multi-site management through the Site Manager. **
Simplified Updates: The UniFi OS Server simplifies the update process by providing unified updates for both the underlying OS and the applications, which is a significant improvement over the manual updates required for the legacy controller.
Better Security and Stability: The new server is a more robust and secure solution, with a modern architecture that is actively being developed and supported by Ubiquiti. It is critical to maintain these updates and any IT company that is supporting customer should ensure they upgrade before November 2026.
In essence, the UniFi OS Server is the future of self-hosted UniFi, offering a more powerful, flexible, and user-friendly platform for managing your UniFi network.
For a detailed walkthrough on setting up the UniFi OS Server on a Linux machine, check out this UniFi OS Server Installation Guide. This video provides a complete guide, including SSL setup and firewall hardening – thanks to Crosstalk Solutions for creating the video.
UniFi has always championed personal hardware and software ownership, along with industry leading simplicity. With the new UniFi OS Server, now in Early Access, managed service providers and enterprise teams can self-host the control plane for their full UniFi Network stack on their own server hardware, while still having access to UniFI’s seamless cloud connectivity if desired.
Lets look at what UniFi says about UniFi OS Server
UniFi OS Server
Self‑hosted software package that delivers UniFi Network, and soon additional applications in the UniFi ecosystem, from a single install.
- Runs the entire UniFi Network application suite in one containerized stack.
- Scales to serve many customer sites from a central footprint.
- Fits into existing backup, monitoring, and compliance workflows.
- Evolves directly from the proven UniFi Network Server lineage, with easier updates and rich API support.
Spin up UniFi OS Server and your server rack becomes your own UniFi cloud.
UniFi OS on Your Own Hardware
Deploy on x86/x64/ARM64 servers, virtual machines, or edge appliances that meet your performance goals.
- Choose the CPU, memory, and storage that match your workload.
- Leverage virtualization clusters for high availability.
- Keep data residency in country or on‑prem as policy requires.
- Integrate with your established DevOps and CI pipelines.
If you can rack it you can run UniFi OS.
Includes Access to Our Latest Technologies
Self‑hosting does not mean feature gaps. UniFi OS Server unlocks every recent innovation from our other hosts.
- InnerSpace for detailed environmental and RF analytics.
- Site Magic SD‑WAN for resilient multi‑site meshing with UniFi Gateways.
- Centralized Update Management to stage and roll firmware at scale.
- UniFi Identity for Zero Trust user and device control.
All the cutting‑edge apps minus the license fees.
UniFi OS
The heart of every UniFi site, providing a fast and private control plane architected for the future.
- Operates without an Internet link so local changes never stall.
- Keeps configuration and telemetry next to the switches and APs, with remote adoption supported.
- Delivers predictable performance regardless of WAN latency.
- Forms the foundation for upcoming UniFi services.
Keep the brain where the packets live.
UniFi Site Manager
A secure cloud overlay that unifies all sites, whether self‑hosted or on native UniFi consoles.
- Single dashboard for fleet health and analytics.
- Role‑based global admin access with SSO convenience.
- SD‑WAN orchestration across distributed locations.
- Consistent policy objects and audit trails everywhere.
Add cloud reach without giving up local autonomy and flexibility.
UniFi OS Server extends our license‑free ethos to operators who demand hardware choice, data locality, and scalable multi‑tenant control. Start local, add cloud oversight when you decide, and deliver advanced networking services without stacking subscription costs.
