Node comparison
Alby Hub vs Umbrel
The row this audience checks first is licensing — then hardware, Lightning and how much hand-holding you want. No winner verdicts; both run Bitcoin Core underneath.
Alby HubUmbrel
Open source●yessource-available
Typeosos
Hardware●Self-hosted (Docker/desktop) or Alby cloudRaspberry Pi, x86, Umbrel Home
Lightning includedyesyes
App store●noyes
Pricing●free self-hosted + paid cloudfree (optional hardware)
Difficultybeginnerbeginner
Best for●A Lightning-first node for daily paymentsThe smoothest first node
● = where they differ · "open source" means OSI-style core licensing — verify before relying on it
Alby Hub
A self-custodial Lightning hub that connects apps via Nostr Wallet Connect — node-lite, payments-heavy.
project site ↗
Umbrel
The polished app-store experience — note the source-available (not OSI open-source) license.
project site ↗