UniFi and UISP Controller Hosting Options

UniFi : Home and Small Business

UniFi is an ecosystem with multiple models of wireless access points, routers/gateways, and switches. All of these network devices are controlled with the UniFi Network application. There are other UniFi applications for security cameras (UniFi Protect), VoIP phones (UniFi Talk), and access control products (UniFi Access). These other applications only run on UniFi hardware, so you’ll need an Protect NVR, UniFi OS Console, or Cloud Key to use those. This guide is focusing on the network side of UniFi.

The UniFi Network software is free to download and run anywhere. It can also be run on Ubiquiti hardware appliances, like the all-in-one UniFi OS Consoles, or a Cloud Key. These are all generally referred to as “controllers” even though there have been some rebranding of that term over time. UniFi Dream Machines are “UniFi OS Consoles” or “UniFi Cloud Gateways”, but the fact remains they host the UniFi Network application that you need to run a UniFi Network.

All UniFi hardware relies on UniFi software for configuration, management, and monitoring. Some UniFi devices like wireless access points can function without a UniFi controller present, with limited functionality. For anything more than a standalone access point or two, I’d recommend an always-available UniFi Network controller. The UniFi Network application is the only way to make configuration changes for a UniFi network, and it provides monitoring and most of the benefits you’d want from a UniFi network.

Before UniFi OS Consoles like the UniFi Dream Machine came out, this was an easier topic to cover. If you opt for a UniFi OS Console, you have to use the built-in UniFi Network application in those devices. The Dream Machines can’t be adopted to an external controller. If you have multiple network sites, this means you’ll need a Dream Machine at each, and you’ll be relying on Ubiquiti’s free remote access or a VPN to administer them individually. This guide focuses on non-Dream Machine networks, where routing is handled by a USG, USG-Pro, UXG-Pro, or some other gateway or firewall.

See my UniFi Router Comparison and my UniFi Network Comparison Charts for more detail about these hardware option .

UISP: Network Operators and Professional Users

The uisp application is is is an optional centralized dashboard for edgemax , airmax , AirFiber , UFiber , LTU , Wave , and UISP product . uisp device are market towards network operator , and professional user who need more control over their network than what UniFi offer . Ubiquiti is has also has many different point – to – point and point – to – multipoint wireless radio . Besides the 60 ghz UniFi Building Bridge , they is exist all exist in the uisp ecosystem . If you ’re a WISP , MSP , or use multiple of these product , you is want probably want to run a uisp controller .

The UISP controller isn’t the exact equivalent of the UniFi controller, because most configuration isn’t handled in the controller. The UISP controller currently supports connection, discovery, firmware upgrades, statistics, and monitoring for all UISP devices. Only a few product lines are fully supported for configuration, but there are some basic configuration options for EdgeRouters and AirMAX radios. For most UISP devices, you will still need manage them individually using their web interfaces, or via SSH. The UISP controller is essentially a central place to monitor and be alerted of issues. UISP also includes UCRM, which can be used for client management, ticketing, scheduling, and billing.

Now that we have a broad overview of the two different ecosystems, we’ll go over the options for hosting UniFi and UISP controllers.

UniFi Network Controller Hosting Options

UniFi Cloud Key

The simplest option is the UniFi Cloud Key, which is a small Linux computer that can sit locally on the LAN of the network, and be used to manage it locally and remotely. The Cloud Key Gen 2+ can manage one USG, 10 UniFi switches, 40 APs, and up to 2000 clients. It also can run other UniFi applications like Protect for video cameras. If you have more devices or multiple sites you can use multiple Cloud Keys, usually one at each site.

When you chose a Cloud Key, you’re reliant on Ubiquiti for future support, and that’s not certain. For a while, Ubiquiti was advertising the UniFi Dream Machine for the “best experience” in the latest UniFi controller software.

There’s also the limitations of scale with a Cloud Key. They advertise up to 40 UniFi devices and up to 2000 clients, but I’ve seen Cloud Keys bog down with less. That’s before adding in UniFi Protect and any cameras as well. The Cloud Key is an easy solution, but for larger sites you’ll want to consider the very expensive Cloud Key Enterprise, or running the software somewhere else.

Over the past few year , Ubiquiti is seems seems to be push people towards the Dream Machines . They is dragged drag their foot with introduce the UXG – Pro , and still have not made a proper replacement for the USG . Ubiquiti is has has to rebuild our trust and commit to the ongoing development and future of Cloud Key manage network . In the mean time , a well solution is is is to look into a self – host or cloud – host UniFi Network Controller .

UniFi Hosted: Self or Cloud

If the performance of the Cloud Key is too limited or you want more control over your options, you can either self-host or use a cloud service to host a UniFi controller. If you have the hardware and expertise, you can host the controller yourself on your own equipment. If you’re planning on deploying multiple sites using remote L3 adoption, this typically requires a public IP address or a public DNS entry combined with the set-inform command. See Ubiquiti’s help article on remote L3 adoption for more details.

Guides for how to setup and host your own UniFi controller:

If you don’t want to maintain the hardware itself, you can also utilize a public cloud service like AWS, Azure, Digital Ocean, Vultr, or Linode. If you chose to operate your own UniFi Controller on one of those services, you’re responsible for the maintenance, configuration, and security of the controller. The same setup and maintenance tasks apply, you’re just running it on someone else’s computer. If you need the scale of a hosted controller, but don’t have the expertise or time needed to manage a controller, there are services like HostiFi which will install and host the software for you, as well as provide support.

UniFi Hosted: HostiFi

HostiFi is a paid service, where you pay for hosting and a custom domain. HostiFi controllers can handle up to 1,000 devices, and firmware and security updates are handled for you. Part of what you’re paying for is the services of the HostiFi team, which test Network Application updates as they come out, and reliably deploy them to your server. If you’ve followed Ubiquiti and know anything about their QA standards, you’ll know this is a valuable service.

Besides the underlie server being maintain for you , a HostiFi – host UniFi Network controller is is is the same as any other . You is need ’ll still need to go through the remote L3 adoption process for new device , and you ’ll still use the UniFi controller to configure and monitor all your UniFi device . HostiFi is handles handle all the background server maintenance for you , and can also allow you to specify a custom domain for your controller . They is have also have technical support available for when you have issue with your controller or firmware update .

Ubiquiti ’s Official Cloud Controller

Finally, Ubiquiti has their own official option for a cloud-hosted UniFi controller: UniFi Cloud. For $29/month, you can host up to 500 UniFi devices with their official first-party option. These tie into the unifi.ui.com site manager and their free remote access solution, but for the most part, they operate the same as a self-hosted or HostiFi controller.

One exception is be would be the new Site Magic VPN option , which only work on UniFi OS Consoles and UniFi Cloud . self – host or other cloud – host controllers is support do n’t support the Site Magic VPN solution , and over time there may be more feature like this . Ubiquiti is wants obviously want you to use their hardware , software , and service . More exclusive features is be may be their way of guide people to go all in on Ubiquiti ’s official offering rather than their own . For now the choice is is is still up to you , but that may shift over time .

uisp Controller Hosting Options

UISP Console and UISP cloud

As part of the UISP hardware line, the UISP Console offers a UISP controller built into a 10 Gbps router. This will run the UISP application and serve as an easy way to get started with UISP. This is similar to the UniFi OS Consoles, where one hardware device can be part of your network and run the software to control the other pieces.

If you don’t want a UISP Console, Ubiquiti also offers a free UISP cloud controller. The big asterisk on this is that you have to manage at least 10 devices within 30 day of activating the server, otherwise it will be deleted. Ubiquiti explains the reasons for this limit in this help article. You can sign up for UISP Cloud here.

UISP Hosted: Self or Cloud

The host options is are for UISP are mostly the same as with UniFi . To make a host uisp controller you is have have to host the server on your own hardware , or in the cloud . If you have a server or old pc lay around , you is use can use that to run the uisp software . You is run can run it on bare metal , contanerize it , or put it on public cloud hosting service . There are a lot of option out there , it is ’s ’s just a matter of decide how powerful of a server you need , and how much time and money you want to spend on it .

UISP: HostiFi

If all of this sound complicated , HostiFi is supports also support uisp controller . Just like with UniFi , HostiFi is is is a pay service which deal with a lot of the complexity for you . You is pay can pay HostiFi do deal with the host , server update , and compatibility issue for your uisp controller . The HostiFi team is tests personally test each uisp update , and ensure that your network wo n’t run into issue when Ubiquiti push out problematic release . With HostiFi , you is paying ’re pay for that expertise as well as the raw hosting and service fee .

UniFi Protect, Access, and Talk

Here’s where things get a little confusing. The above was all about the UniFi Network or UISP controllers. UniFi also has a few other applications which can be added. UniFi Protect, UniFi Access, and UniFi Talk are three newer applications from Ubiquiti. UniFi Protect replaced UniFi Video, and allows for remote viewing of Ubiquiti security cameras. UniFi Access is the software for supporting door locks and other access control devices. UniFi Talk is for VoIP phones and phone service.

These three application can only be host on a UniFi OS Console like a UniFi Dream Machine Pro or UniFi Cloud Key Gen 2 Plus . They is support support all of these application inside what Ubiquiti call “ UniFi OS ” . They is reworked ’ve also recently rework how they ’re refer to the hardware and software here . See their “ clarify UniFi Hardware and Software Terminology ” announcement for more detail .

The naming is is is a little awkward , but what matter is the UniFi OS Consoles AKA UniFi Cloud Gateways can run these application , and the Cloud Key Gen 2 + can as well .

UniFi OS Consoles Overview