HexOS
HexOS turns user-selected hardware into a private home server for storage, streaming, virtual machines, and other applications.
What HexOS is
HexOS turns user-selected hardware into a private home server for storage, streaming, virtual machines, and other applications. It supports many Intel or AMD x86 systems and provides a web dashboard. A setup wizard checks hardware, prepares partitions when needed, and guides configuration. The dashboard displays CPU, memory, storage, and network use, with alerts for system-health issues. Storage devices can be arranged into pools intended to protect against data loss if one device fails. Users can share folders with permissions, deploy applications with one click, and preconfigure Plex, Jellyfin, or Emby. HexOS also describes secure transfers and backups between two HexOS systems. Snapshot recovery for malware, accidental deletion, and other mistakes is marked as beta access coming soon. Minimum requirements are a 2-core 64-bit CPU, 8 GB memory, a 16 GB-or-larger SSD boot device, and at least one storage pool. The Lifetime plan is $199, paid once, billed at $199 per server, excluding cloud backup, premium support, and other metered services.
Good
- Wizard validates hardware and guides setup
- Dashboard reports system usage and alerts
- One-click app deployment
- Supports folder permissions and system transfers
- Includes storage pools and virtual machines
Watch out
- Requires compatible self-hosted hardware
- Expandable pools need at least three devices
- Snapshots are beta access coming soon
- Lifetime plan excludes cloud backup and premium support
Who it suits
It suits people building a private home server on their own compatible hardware for storage, media, apps, and virtual machines.
Verdict
HexOS combines guided server setup, storage pools, app deployment, and a web dashboard for home infrastructure. Check the hardware requirements and excluded services before choosing the $199-per-server Lifetime license.
Plans and prices
From HexOS's own pricing page, checked 7 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| HexOS Lifetime | $199, paid once | Lifetime access to core features; excludes cloud-based backup, premium support services, and other metered services · $199 per server; regular pricing after Early Access ends: $299 per server |
The facts
Each one read from HexOS's own pages, with the date it was checked.
Where it runs
- App integrations
- HexOS offers one-click app deployment; application preconfiguration is available for Plex, Jellyfin, and Emby.checked 7 Oct 2026
The company
- Company
- The site identifies Eshtek Inc. as the copyright holder.checked 7 Oct 2026
What it does
- Dashboard
- The dashboard reports CPU, memory, storage, and network usage and shows alerts about system health issues.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Hardware
- HexOS supports user-chosen hardware and is designed for a wide variety of Intel or AMD x86 systems.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Pool limits
- Expandable pools require at least three devices; initial pool width is limited to eight devices and expanded pools to twelve.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- The privacy policy says HexOS does not access users’ files directly and collects limited system-state information such as preference folder names and task status.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- HexOS provides a private home server for storage, streaming, virtual machines, and other apps.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Refunds and license
- Terms provide a 30-day refund policy, and licenses are non-transferable but can be reclaimed for another server after disconnecting the current one.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Security
- The privacy policy says the company uses encryption, firewalls, and secure data storage, while noting no system can be completely secure.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Setup
- Its setup wizard validates hardware, partitions the system as needed, and guides setup in minutes.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Sharing and backups
- Users can share folders with permissions, and the feature page describes transfers and backups between two HexOS systems over a secure connection.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Snapshots
- The product page describes snapshots for recovering from malware, accidental deletion, or other mistakes, and marks the feature as beta access coming soon.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Storage
- HexOS can configure storage devices into pools intended to protect against data loss if one device fails.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Support
- HexOS directs users to its Discord community for support and provides support by email at [email protected].checked 7 Oct 2026
- System requirements
- The minimum requirements are a 2-core 64-bit CPU, 8 GB memory, and a 16 GB or larger SSD boot device; at least one storage pool is required.checked 7 Oct 2026
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