Show HN: I created UniHosted to host UniFi Controllers in the cloud
unihosted.comHey, I’m Dries and I created UniHosted [1]. It's a service that hosts UniFi Controllers in the cloud.
While it’s possible to self-host a UniFi Controller, doing it right can be very difficult.
You need to take care of installation, backups, software updates and make sure it runs securely. A Shodan search reveals numerous instances where these controllers are exposed to the internet without proper security measures. This is why I created UniHosted.
I'm trying to raise the bar from a sec perspective, and I’m quite proud of the result. Everything is automated with Ansible, and new servers are provisioned using Terraform. Gotta love Infrastructure as Code! ;) We also use multiple cloud providers to manage the risk of a catastrophic event. Remember the OVH cloud incident [2].
Other solutions, like Hostifi, have gotten quite expensive. Servers cost money; I know that. But I feel that if I can generate a decent living from business customers, I can offer it for free for the rest of us (up to 5 devices).
You should know it’s a shared server, but it's a great way to get started.
I would love to hear your feedback, so feel free to ask me anything.
What is the added value compared to Hostifi or Cloud UniFi?
I only charge users for the devices they connect, it's cheaper than the competitors.
For hackers who love to run UniFi devices at home, I added a free plan that allows for 5 devices.
“Our competitive differentiation is that we charge less” isn’t even slightly compelling to most folks. I’d suggest you rethink your positioning.