Comparison

Unraid Deck vs balu

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Unraid Deck

Manage and monitor your Unraid server remotely from your iOS device. Control Docker containers, VMs, and receive instant alerts with a secure, native experience. Features include an SSH terminal, real-time dashboards, and home screen widgets for quick access.

Highlights
  • SSH Terminal access
  • Real-time push notifications
  • Smart Connect for network switching
  • Home Screen Widgets
  • Dashboard monitoring
  • Docker & VM management
  • Biometric lock
Features
Read full description

Securely control your Unraid server from your iPhone and iPad. Unraid Deck is a native iOS client for monitoring dashboards, managing files, Docker containers and Compose stacks, controlling VMs, receiving server alerts, streaming Docker logs, and accessing your server through a built-in SSH terminal. Built for direct server connections, privacy-first workflows, and a fast native iOS experience. Key Features: Built-In File Manager • Browse, upload, download, move, rename, preview, copy paths, view details, and delete files. • Secure direct access over SSH/SFTP. SSH Terminal • Open an SSH terminal in the app for remote access and command-line workflows. • Run Docker log shortcuts with one tap when SSH is configured. Real-Time Push Notifications • Receive critical Unraid server notifications through Apple APNs. • Archive, restore unread, and manage notifications in batches. Smart Connect & Built-In Tailscale • Automatically select Local, Public, or Tailnet routes for your current network. • Use built-in Tailscale for secure remote access through your Tailnet. Plugin Marketplace • Browse Community Applications plugins and install supported HTTPS .plg plugins. BT Download Manager • Manage qBittorrent and Transmission tasks, including status and common actions. Home Screen Widgets • Monitor CPU, memory, and array usage at a glance. • Start, stop, and restart Docker containers from your Home Screen. Dashboard • Monitor CPU, memory, network traffic, and storage array usage in real time. • View CPU temperature, power telemetry, network throughput, array health, parity status, and disk temperatures. Docker Management • Group containers by Compose project and choose stack icons. • Search and filter containers to find services quickly. • View container status, port mappings, and volume mounts. • Start, stop, restart, pause, resume, and update containers. • Run batch actions, stream live logs, and set custom container icons. Virtual Machine Control • Search, start, pause, resume, and force stop VMs. • Run batch operations across multiple VMs. • Monitor VM status instantly. Security & Privacy • The app connects directly to your Unraid server and does not route traffic through its own servers. • API keys are encrypted and stored in the iOS Keychain. • Protect access with Face ID or Touch ID. • Access servers behind authenticated reverse proxies such as Authelia. • Securely sync configuration across your Apple devices with iCloud. API Key Access Control • Create API keys with custom permission groups. • Use the Unraid Deck preset to fill required permissions. • View and copy API key details in the app. REQUIREMENTS • Unraid OS v6.12 or later; v7.2+ recommended • Unraid API enabled on your server • Valid API key for authentication • Network access to your Unraid server • SSH access for Terminal, Docker log shortcuts, and File Manager features Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://unraid.mccray.app/privacy/

About

balu

Features
Read full description

balu is a calm, fast todo app with one big difference: your tasks live on a server you choose and run. Perfect for your homelab: one docker-compose, no account with us, no cloud subscription, no vendor lock-in - just open-source software and your own data. PLAN LIKE YOU THINK • Start dates and deadlines are separate: decide when to begin, independent of when something is due • Today with a This Evening section, Upcoming, Anytime, Someday and a Logbook • Projects with sections, labels, priorities and repeating tasks CAPTURE AT THE SPEED OF THOUGHT • Quick add understands natural language in English and German: "call Sam friday 5pm" or "Wäsche waschen jeden zweiten Dienstag" • Live token highlighting shows what balu understood while you type WORKS OFFLINE, REALLY • A full copy of your tasks lives on your device • Add, edit and complete in airplane mode; everything syncs when you're back SHARE WITH YOUR PEOPLE • Workspaces with roles, from full editor down to read-only • Assign tasks, discuss them in comments, see everything assigned to you REMINDERS YOUR WAY • Local notifications on your device • Optional nudges through ntfy, email or Telegram from your own server SELF-HOSTED & OPEN SOURCE • MIT-licensed, deployed with a single docker-compose on your hardware • The app connects to the server URL you enter - nothing else balu requires a self-hosted balu server. Set one up in minutes: https://blaumedia.com/balu

Screenshots

Unraid Deck4 screens
balu4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: balu at none against Unraid Deck's 1. balu also leads on iOS requirement (15.1 vs 18.1). Unraid Deck's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs fortnightly). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Unraid Deck sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. balu asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Unraid Deck ships an update weekly, balu fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Unraid Deck versus balu: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterUnraid Deckbalu
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (26 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings26 — better—
Update frequencyWeekly — betterFortnightly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS18.115.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size70 MB30 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer祥瑞 谢blaumedia GmbH

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Unraid Deck

One-time1
  • Pro Lifetime$9.99
None

balu

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Unraid Deck free?
Unraid Deck is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is balu free?
balu is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Unraid Deck or balu have ads?
Neither Unraid Deck nor balu shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Unraid Deck or balu?
Unraid Deck ships an update weekly, and balu fortnightly. Most recently, Unraid Deck was updated on October 30, 2026 and balu on October 31, 2026.

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