Frequently Asked Questions

localbox is a plug-and-play home server based on Raspberry Pi 5 that lets you self-host applications and own your digital life. It replaces expensive cloud subscriptions with a one-time purchase, giving you complete control over your data and services.

Unlike Google Drive or iCloud, localbox gives you complete ownership of your data. No monthly fees, no data mining, no dependency on big tech companies. Your files stay in your home, under your control, with enterprise-grade features.

No! localbox is designed for non-technical users. Setup takes less than 10 minutes using our mobile app, and all applications are pre-configured and ready to use. Advanced users can still access the underlying Kubernetes system if desired.

localbox includes alternatives to many paid Google services like Google Drive (Nextcloud), Google Photos (Immich), Google Docs (AFFiNE), and Google Password Manager (Vaultwarden). You'll still need Google Search, Gmail, and YouTube for their unique content, but you can replace the expensive storage and productivity subscriptions.

Most users save $2,000-$3,000 over 5 years by replacing paid services like Google One storage, LastPass Premium, Plex Pass, and Adobe subscriptions. Our ROI calculator shows personalized savings based on your current subscription costs. Note that this compares to premium/paid services, not free alternatives.

localbox is built on the Raspberry Pi 5 with 8GB RAM, includes a 256GB microSD card, active cooling system, and comes in a custom 3D-printed case. It supports USB 3.0 expansion, Gigabit Ethernet, and Wi-Fi 6.

Yes! You can add external USB storage or connect network storage (NFS, SMB/CIFS). The Longhorn storage system automatically handles the additional capacity and can replicate data across multiple storage devices.

localbox runs K3s (lightweight Kubernetes), Longhorn for storage, Traefik for reverse proxy, cert-manager for SSL certificates, and Prometheus/Grafana for monitoring. All applications are deployed as Helm charts.

Updates are handled through the mobile app with zero-downtime deployment. Security updates are automatic, while feature updates require your approval. In multi-node setups, updates roll out gradually to maintain service availability.

Absolutely! Advanced users can deploy custom Docker containers or Helm charts. We also plan to add a community marketplace for sharing custom applications and configurations.

Initial setup takes about 10 minutes using our mobile app. After configuration, the system needs 10-15 minutes to deploy all applications. You'll receive a notification when everything is ready to use.

For local use, no router configuration is needed. For external access, you can use our DDNS service, VPN through Headscale, or Cloudflare tunnels. Traditional port forwarding is optional.

Yes! We provide a free yourname.localbox.io subdomain for external access. You can also use the built-in VPN (Headscale) for secure remote access without exposing services to the internet.

Simply connect localbox to your new network through the mobile app. The DDNS service automatically updates, and all your data and applications remain intact. No reconfiguration needed.

localbox includes automated backup to cloud storage (S3, Google Drive, etc.), external drives, or another localbox. All backups are encrypted and can be scheduled through the mobile app.

All data is encrypted at rest using Longhorn's built-in encryption. Network traffic uses TLS with automatic Let's Encrypt certificates. Access control is managed through Authentik with support for 2FA and hardware keys.

No personal data or usage analytics are collected. The only communications are for optional services like DDNS updates, security patches, and application updates - all of which can be disabled if desired.

Your localbox continues working indefinitely. All software is open source, and the system is designed to be self-sufficient. You own the hardware and software, so you're not dependent on our services to continue using it.

Yes! You can configure custom domains and subdomains. localbox will automatically obtain SSL certificates for your domains using Let's Encrypt or your own certificate authority.

Pre-orders will ship in Q4 2025. We'll provide regular updates on manufacturing progress and more specific shipping dates as we get closer to launch.

localbox comes with a 2-year hardware warranty covering manufacturing defects. This includes free replacement of defective units and priority support. Software support and updates are provided indefinitely.

Yes! We offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you're not completely satisfied, return your localbox for a full refund. We're confident you'll love the freedom of owning your digital life.

We provide email support, community forums, Discord chat, and comprehensive documentation. Premium support with remote assistance is available for users who need extra help with setup or configuration.

No ongoing fees! That's the whole point. The optional DDNS service (yourname.localbox.io) is free forever. All software, updates, and basic support are included in your one-time purchase.

Yes! Multiple localbox devices automatically form a Kubernetes cluster for increased performance, storage capacity, and redundancy. Setup is handled through the mobile app with no technical knowledge required.

Multi-node setups provide load distribution, high availability, storage replication, and zero-downtime updates. If one node fails, services continue running on the remaining nodes.

Absolutely! Many small businesses use localbox for file storage, collaboration, security cameras, and custom applications. The enterprise-grade Kubernetes foundation scales from home use to business environments.

For local access, localbox is often faster than cloud services since there's no internet latency. For remote access, performance depends on your internet connection. Multiple nodes can handle more concurrent users and workloads.