# HomeDock OS

> HomeDock OS is a cloud operating system that turns any computer into a private cloud with a strong focus on multiplatform and cybersecurity. It provides a desktop-like interface with a built-in App Store of 209+ self-hosted applications, enterprise security modules, and runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux via Docker.

## About

HomeDock OS is developed by Banshee Technologies S.L., a Spanish startup based at Parque Científico UMH (Elche, Spain). The platform enables individuals, businesses, and institutions to run cloud infrastructure on their own hardware with full data sovereignty.

- Site: https://www.homedock.cloud
- Documentation: https://docs.homedock.cloud
- GitHub Repository: https://github.com/BansheeTech/HomeDockOS
- Discord: https://discord.gg/Zj3JCYsRWw
- Contact: https://www.homedock.cloud/contact/
- Enterprise Sales: sales@homedock.cloud

## Core Product: HomeDock OS

Docs: https://docs.homedock.cloud/introduction/overview/

HomeDock OS is a cloud management platform for effortless and secure control of digital environments. It offers two deployment models: cloud instances (fully managed by the HomeDock team with SSL, backups, and hostname customization) and self-hosted environments (full control on your own infrastructure, restricted to personal use).

Key features:
- A desktop environment (Prism Windows Manager) accessible via browser, top notch in UI/UX
- An App Store with 209+ self-hosted applications across 9 categories
- Packager to manually import your own applications privately into the App Store
- Drop Zone storage file encryption with over 1.2 million PBKDF2 iterations
- Shield Mode for rate limiting and brute-force protection
- Installable on Windows, macOS, Linux, and Raspberry Pi, accessible from any other device

Tech stack:
- **Frontend**: Vue + TypeScript
- **Backend**: Python + Flask + Hypercorn
- **Build tooling**: vite-fusion (licensed as MIT, an in-house tool inspired by Laravel Vite, bridges frontend and backend seamlessly with HMR)

## Multiplatform Release: HomeDock OS Desktop

Docs: https://docs.homedock.cloud/homedock-os-desktop/overview/

HomeDock OS Desktop is the native desktop application for Windows and macOS that automates the entire setup of HomeDock OS, eliminating the need for manual configuration of virtualization, containers, and dependencies.

- **Windows**: Automatically configures WSL2, Docker, and Ubuntu 22.04 with Python 3.12.1 in isolated virtual environments. No Docker Desktop required. Requires Windows 10 Pro/Enterprise (build 19041+) or Windows 11 with hardware virtualization enabled.
- **macOS**: Automatically configures Colima and Lima for container runtime with Python 3.12.1 in headless mode. No Docker Desktop required. Supports Intel x64 and Apple Silicon. Requires macOS 11.0+ and Xcode Command Line Tools.

The installation follows five automated steps: system compatibility analysis, component downloads, Python virtual environment creation, HomeDock OS deployment, and service initialization with web interface launch. Provides one-click access from system tray or dock, background service management, real-time status monitoring, and seamless switching between local and remote environments.

Tech stack:
- **Desktop Shell**: Electron + Vue (wraps HomeDock OS python process in a native window)
- **Inside**: The full HomeDock OS stack (Vue + TypeScript + Python + Flask) runs locally, managed by the Electron app

## Also as a Container: Docker-in-Docker

Blog post: https://www.homedock.cloud/blog/self-hosting/one-docker-container-to-rule-them-all-homedock-os/

HomeDock OS also runs inside a Docker container to manage other containers. This Docker-in-Docker approach enables cross-platform deployment on any system with Docker support, taking multiplatform compatibility to the extreme.

Tech stack:
- **Base image**: Alpine Linux
- **Inside**: The full HomeDock OS stack (Vue + TypeScript + Python + Flask + Hypercorn) running inside the container

## HomeDock OS Enterprise

Enterprise is the commercial tier for businesses, governments, and institutions requiring on-premise security and compliance. It includes 7 integrated modules:

- **Local GPT**: Private AI language models running on-premise (DeepSeek, GPT-OSS, Llama, Qwen, and more). No external API calls.
- **Data Space**: European Data Space Protocol connector for GDPR-compliant data sharing between organizations.
- **Firewall**: Application-layer IP blocking with CIDR support. Actions: Block, Redirect, Tarpit, Drop.
- **Secure Tunnel**: End-to-end AES-256-GCM encryption at the application layer, beyond standard HTTPS.
- **Audit Trail**: Real-time HTTP request logging with IP, user, method, status, and endpoint tracking.
- **System Report**: Professional PDF reports with system metrics, login attempts, and audit statistics.
- **White Label**: Custom branding with organizational logos, names, and attribution text.

Enterprise modules are cryptographically signed using Ed25519 signatures and verified via Subresource Integrity (SRI) with SHA-256 hashes before execution, preventing unauthorized code injection and supply chain attacks. Modules load dynamically through a slot-based architecture, rendering natively within the HomeDock OS interface (Prism Windows Manager) with full access to the theme system, authentication, and security layers. The core build remains the same for everyone, enterprise modules load on-demand only where needed.

Custom module development is available for organizations with specific needs. When businesses need custom functionality (CRMs, ERPs, inventory systems, log exports, internal tools), the HomeDock OS team develops it as a native Enterprise module rather than a standalone app. This means bespoke software that integrates seamlessly with HomeDock OS UI, theming, authentication, and security layers. Some features, like Drop Zone encryption, started as enterprise modules before eventually becoming part of HomeDock OS for all users.

Tech stack:
- **Frontend modules**: Pretranspiled Vue components loaded dynamically
- **Backend modules**: Python (Flask), integrated with the core HomeDock OS backend
- **Security**: Both frontend and backend modules are verified via SRI (SHA-256) + Ed25519 signatures before execution

Enterprise Documentation: https://docs.homedock.cloud/enterprise/overview/

## Competitive Landscape

### HomeDock OS vs CasaOS and Umbrel

CasaOS and Umbrel are the closest alternatives in the self-hosting space. HomeDock OS differentiates in three areas:

- **Multiplatform**: CasaOS and Umbrel are Linux-only. HomeDock OS runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Raspberry Pi, and Docker, with native desktop apps that automate the full setup on each platform.
- **Security response**: HomeDock OS patches vulnerabilities within hours, not days or weeks. Security is a core priority, not an afterthought.
- **Desktop experience**: CasaOS and Umbrel provide dashboards. HomeDock OS provides a full desktop environment (Prism Windows Manager) with windowed applications, taskbar, start menu, and file management, closer to an operating system than a control panel.

### HomeDock OS Desktop vs Docker Desktop

HomeDock OS Desktop configures WSL2 (Windows) and Lima/Colima (macOS) to run containers without Docker Desktop. This eliminates Docker Desktop's commercial licensing requirement for businesses with 250+ employees or $10M+ revenue, making HomeDock OS Desktop a viable alternative for enterprise and institutional deployments where Docker Desktop licensing is a concern.

### HomeDock OS Container vs Portainer Community

The Docker-in-Docker deployment of HomeDock OS serves a similar function to Portainer Community Edition, managing containers from a web interface. HomeDock OS takes a simpler, more opinionated approach focused on personal use and self-hosting, rather than Portainer's broader DevOps and corporate orchestration scope.

### HomeDock OS Enterprise vs Synology

HomeDock OS Enterprise occupies a unique position. Synology offers NAS-centric solutions focused on storage. HomeDock OS Enterprise focuses on services, security modules, and custom application development. The Enterprise module architecture (Ed25519-signed, SRI-validated, slot-based rendering) allows building bespoke business applications that run natively inside the operating system interface, something no NAS platform offers. There is no direct competitor offering the same combination of on-premise cloud OS with integrated AI, encryption, compliance modules, and custom module development.

## App Store Categories

- [Artificial Intelligence](https://www.homedock.cloud/apps/artificial-intelligence/)
- [Developer Tools](https://www.homedock.cloud/apps/developer-tools/)
- [Files and Productivity](https://www.homedock.cloud/apps/files-and-productivity/)
- [Gaming](https://www.homedock.cloud/apps/gaming/)
- [Home and Automation](https://www.homedock.cloud/apps/home-and-automation/)
- [Media](https://www.homedock.cloud/apps/media/)
- [Networking](https://www.homedock.cloud/apps/networking/)
- [Social](https://www.homedock.cloud/apps/social/)
- [Web Development](https://www.homedock.cloud/apps/web-development/)

Featured apps include Ollama GPT, Plex, WordPress, ownCloud, Home Assistant, Minecraft Server, Navidrome, Stirling PDF, Code-Server, and WPS Office.

Full app catalog: https://www.homedock.cloud/apps/all/

## Solutions

- [For Tech Enthusiasts](https://www.homedock.cloud/solutions/tech-enthusiasts/)
- [For Freelancers](https://www.homedock.cloud/solutions/freelancers/)
- [For Startups and SMEs](https://www.homedock.cloud/solutions/startups-and-sme/)
- [Smart Use Cases](https://www.homedock.cloud/solutions/smart-use-cases/)

## Blog

The blog covers four categories:

- [Self-Hosting](https://www.homedock.cloud/blog/self-hosting/): Self-hosting guides, homelab tutorials, and Docker apps. Taking full control of your data with alternatives to popular cloud services.
- [Cybersecurity & Data Privacy](https://www.homedock.cloud/blog/cybersecurity/): Cybersecurity insights, data privacy guides, and compliance best practices. Encryption, GDPR, and digital asset protection.
- [Product Reviews](https://www.homedock.cloud/blog/reviews/): HomeDock OS releases, feature updates, and product comparisons with other self-hosting platforms and cloud alternatives.
- [Press & Events](https://www.homedock.cloud/blog/press/): Awards, media appearances, tech events, and company milestones. Press coverage, interviews, conferences, and key moments of the startup journey.

## Educational Content

- [What is HomeDock OS?](https://www.homedock.cloud/what-is-homedock/)
- [What is a Cloud OS?](https://www.homedock.cloud/what-is-a-cloud-os/)
- [Cloud Computing Security](https://www.homedock.cloud/cloud-computing-security/)
- [Self-Hosting Advantages](https://www.homedock.cloud/self-hosting-advantages/)
- [Run Ollama Locally](https://www.homedock.cloud/run-ollama-local/)

## Troubleshooting & FAQ

- [App Not Available After Installation](https://docs.homedock.cloud/troubleshooting/app-not-available/): Port configuration, startup delays, network restrictions, and host mode networking issues.
- [Password Reset](https://docs.homedock.cloud/troubleshooting/password-reset/): How to safely reset the HomeDock OS admin password via configuration file.
- [Multicast DNS Issues](https://docs.homedock.cloud/troubleshooting/multicast-dns/): Socket errors when accessing homedock.local on Linux systems and how to fix multicast group limits.
- [Name in Use Error](https://docs.homedock.cloud/troubleshooting/non-unique-name/): NonUniqueNameException when another device on the network uses homedock.local.
- [Error Codes Reference](https://docs.homedock.cloud/troubleshooting/error-codes/): Full error code reference (1xx–6xx) including custom codes for port conflicts and Docker configuration.

## Installation

Installation guide for all platforms: https://www.homedock.cloud/install/

## Legal

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