HA Cloud vs self-hosted WireGuard
Managed WireGuard vs DIY VPN on your own VPS.
Self-hosted WireGuard on a VPS is technically elegant and almost free — but it requires Linux skills, key management, monitoring, and updates. HA Cloud uses the same WireGuard under the hood and handles all the infrastructure plus an HA-specific add-on.
HA Cloud vs WireGuard DIY (samohostovaný VPN): feature-by-feature
| Feature | HA Cloud | WireGuard DIY (samohostovaný VPN) |
|---|---|---|
| Setup time | ~5 min | ~2–4 hours (VPS, WG, NAT, client per phone) |
| Requires VPS / own server | No | Yes (€3–5/mo minimum) |
| Client app on phone/PC | No (browser only) | Yes (WG app + manual keys) |
| Public HTTPS URL | Yes | No (private IPs only) |
| Custom domain with HTTPS | Yes (auto) | Yes (DIY Let's Encrypt) |
| Sharing with family | Just share URL | Generate keys, install WG app |
| Cost | From €0.79/mo | ~€5/mo (VPS) + your time |
| Maintenance | We do it | You (kernel, WG, certs) |
| HA-specific UX | Yes | No |
| Encryption | WireGuard | WireGuard |
When to pick HA Cloud
- You want set-and-forget.
- You don't want monthly Linux maintenance (security patches, WG updates).
- You want family to access HA without installing a VPN client.
- You need an HTTPS URL in the browser, not an IP in an app.
- €0.79/mo is cheaper than your time spent on a VPS.
When to pick WireGuard DIY (samohostovaný VPN)
- You're a sysadmin / Linux enthusiast who enjoys VPS work.
- You already host other services on a VPS (web, mail) — WG is incremental.
- You want absolute control over your infrastructure (no third parties).
- You're equipped to debug NAT, MTU, DNS issues yourself.
FAQ
The WG software is open-source, yes. Running it requires a VPS (Hetzner ~€5/mo), key management, monitoring, and time — total TCO often beats HA Cloud's price.
The add-on contains a WG client — you can inspect the source. But HA Cloud's value is the managed side: edge nodes, monitoring, HTTPS, domain.
Easily. HA itself doesn't change. Uninstall the HA Cloud add-on and install WG manually.