Armbian Software

Lightweight, Secure, and Optimized Services for Embedded Systems

How to install an app

Apps do not have their own images. Install an Armbian OS image first, then install the app on it.

1. Choose an Armbian OS image for your board and write it to an SD card.
2. Boot the board and log in.
3. Run armbian-config. Select Software, then the category, then the app.

For help with the app itself, read the app’s own documentation. Each app page links to it.

Overview

Armbian Software, accessible via the armbian-config utility, empowers you to quickly deploy a variety of preconfigured applications and advanced services — from diagnostic tools and media servers to dashboards and container orchestration platforms. Most services are offered as Docker containers optimized specifically for Armbian OS and supported hardware, while a subset is available as native installations for lightweight or performance-critical setups.

Installation & Maintenance

Each installation is isolated and designed with clean setup and teardown in mind. Key features include:

• One-command installs with sensible defaults
• No leftover files or dangling containers after uninstallation
• Service isolation via Docker networks and volume mappings
• Support for both manual and automatic updates, including container image refresh
• Daily-tested CI pipelines ensure that software definitions remain reliable and compatible with the latest system changes

All configurations are streamlined to work out of the box, reducing the need for manual intervention or deep technical know-how.

Security and Management

Every service runs on a dedicated Docker network bridge, isolating app traffic for enhanced security and performance. Key management benefits include:

• Optional automatic restart and image updates
• Native logging integration with journalctl or Docker logs
• Clean rollbacks and easy troubleshooting
• Support for encrypted volumes and HTTPS reverse proxies

These features make the platform suitable for both prototyping and long-term deployments. However, a few specific services — typically those requiring low-level hardware access or advanced networking features — may still need to run directly on the host network rather than within an isolated Docker bridge.

Hardware Support

Architecture	Support Level	Notes
x86_64	✅ Full	Ideal for servers, mini PCs
arm64	✅ Full	Ideal for servers and SBCs
armhf	⚠️ Partial	Limited by upstream container support
riscv64	⚠️ Partial	Experimental, growing ecosystem

Installations may include hardware specific tuning for optimal performance.

Why Use It

• One-click deployments of popular, containerized apps
• Curated, tested, and secure software maintained by the Armbian community
• Clean installs and easy removal — no system clutter or dependency hell
• Optimized for Armbian-supported hardware, with fine-tuned configurations
• Minimal overhead, ideal for embedded, headless, or remote systems
• Easy maintenance with integrated update and monitoring tools
• Internet-ready services, including reverse proxies and network bridges