What is UniFi Site Manager?
UniFi Site Manager is Ubiquiti's central tool for managing many UniFi sites from one place at unifi.ui.com. In April 2026 Ubiquiti introduced Fabrics, which connect all sites into "one cohesive system," and called the result "completely license-free."
Per the Ubiquiti announcement of April 20, 2026, Site Manager adds unified Fabric control, granular role-based management, integrated zero trust identity, a centralized monitoring dashboard, blueprint-based zero-touch deployment and API-driven workflows. For a business with a plant in High Point, a warehouse in Greensboro and a showroom in Charlotte, that means one view of every network instead of separate logins per site.
Where should the UniFi console live: on site, self-hosted or cloud-hosted?
Most single sites run the console on their Cloud Gateway. Multi-site businesses and MSPs can add self-hosted UniFi OS Server (license-free) or Official UniFi Hosting, which lists from $29/month for up to 1,000 UniFi Network devices.
| Option | Where it runs | Cost model | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cloud Gateway console | On site, built into the gateway | Hardware only | Single sites, branches |
| CloudKey+ | On site, separate device | Hardware only ($249, observed Sep 2026, subject to change) | Sites with a gateway that has no console |
| UniFi OS Server | Your server or VM | License-free software | MSPs and IT teams that want data locality |
| Official UniFi Hosting | Ubiquiti cloud | From $29/month (observed Sep 2026, subject to change) | Sites without on-site console hardware |
Sources: UniFi OS Server announcement and Official UniFi Hosting. Whichever model you choose, Site Manager is the single pane across all of them.
How can PDC use Site Manager to manage client networks?
PDC can use Site Manager to monitor, update and support client UniFi sites through assigned roles, so a technician in High Point can see and fix a network in Charlotte without a truck roll when on-site work is not needed. We recommend that each business owns its UniFi account and grants PDC access.
Client ownership matters for the day you change providers: if the MSP owns the account, you may not own your own network. With role-based access, PDC's technicians get the permissions they need and your staff can keep view access. Our managed UniFi support guide explains what ongoing support includes, and multi-site business networks covers the design side.
Key takeaway: Your business should own its UniFi account. Your MSP should work through roles you can revoke.
Is UniFi multi-site management really free?
The management software is. Ubiquiti calls Site Manager "completely license-free," and UniFi OS Server carries no license fees. Paid items are optional: Official UniFi Hosting from $29/month, Ubiquiti's CyberSecure security subscription for gateways, and support from a provider such as PDC.
This is the biggest structural difference from licensed cloud platforms such as Cisco Meraki, where management depends on an active license. The honest trade-off is that with UniFi, nobody at Ubiquiti is watching your sites for you; that is the job of your IT team or MSP. See UniFi vs Meraki.
What security practices matter most when managing many UniFi sites?
Least-privilege roles, MFA on every account, and staged but prompt updates. When CISA added three UniFi OS vulnerabilities to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on June 23, 2026, every site running an affected console needed patching at once, which is exactly what central management is for.
See the CISA alert and our CVE-2026-34908 response plan. Central management also concentrates risk: a compromised admin account can reach every site, which is why PDC treats Site Manager credentials like domain admin credentials. More in our post on multi-site network strategy for NC manufacturers.
Why work with a local MSP for multi-site UniFi management?
Site Manager makes remote work easy, but some problems still need someone on site. A local MSP handles both, and knows how each of your locations was built.
- Local and accountable: Preferred Data Corporation was founded in 1987 (39 years in business) and is based in High Point, with on-site service within 200 miles, which covers the Piedmont Triad, Charlotte, Raleigh and most of North Carolina.
- Member of the UniFi Partner Program, and a full MSP/MSSP: the same team handles managed IT, cybersecurity and structured cabling and network work, so nobody points fingers between the WiFi installer and the IT provider.
- Track record with clients: 100+ active clients and a 20+ year average client tenure, plus a BBB A+ rating and 24/7 monitoring for managed clients.
Which Site Manager models do we typically specify?
These are the current models our engineers reach for most often. The right one depends on your building, users and budget, so we confirm the final list after a site walk.
Cloud Gateway Max
Best for: Branch sites: gateway and console in one compact unit
- 2.3 Gbps IDS/IPS; 30+ devices / 300+ clients
- (5) 2.5 GbE; NVMe slot up to 2 TB
- US store price $199 for the Max NS (no storage), $279 for the standard Max (observed Sep 2026, subject to change)
Dream Machine Pro Max
Best for: Headquarters or main plant console with room for cameras
- 5 Gbps IDS/IPS; 200+ devices / 2,000+ clients
- (2) 3.5" NVR bays plus 128 GB SSD
- US store price $599 (observed Sep 2026, subject to change)
CloudKey+
Best for: A dedicated on-site console behind a gateway without one
- Runs Network, Protect, Access, Talk and Connect
- 1 TB SSD; up to 8 4K cameras; up to 80 Access Hubs
- PoE powered, 9.6W max. US store price $249 (observed Sep 2026, subject to change)
Official UniFi Hosting
Best for: Ubiquiti-hosted console for sites that do not want hardware on site
- From $29.00/month (US store, observed Sep 2026, subject to change)
- Manage up to 1,000 UniFi Network devices
- Managed through Site Manager at unifi.ui.com; pairs with UXG gateways
UniFi OS Server
Best for: Self-hosted consoles for MSPs and enterprise IT teams
- Self-hosted UniFi Network on x86/x64/ARM64 servers, VMs or edge appliances
- License-free, per Ubiquiti
- Announced July 30, 2025 for managed service providers and enterprise teams
What does Preferred Data deliver?
- Console strategy per site: on-site gateway, CloudKey, self-hosted UniFi OS Server or Official UniFi Hosting, chosen for resilience and cost.
- Account ownership set up so your business owns its UniFi account and PDC works through assigned roles, which keeps offboarding clean.
- Role-based access for PDC technicians and your staff, with MFA on every admin account and least privilege by default.
- Standard configuration across sites: VLANs, firewall rules, SSIDs and naming, so every location is built the same way.
- Scheduled, staged firmware and UniFi OS updates across sites, with emergency patching for critical advisories.
- Monitoring and alerting across every site through PDC managed services, plus documentation of each location.
Frequently asked questions
Does UniFi Site Manager cost anything?
Ubiquiti describes Site Manager as "completely license-free" in its April 20, 2026 announcement. Optional costs are console hardware, Official UniFi Hosting (from $29/month) if you use it, Ubiquiti's CyberSecure security subscription for gateways if you add it, and any support provider you hire.
What is UniFi OS Server?
UniFi OS Server is Ubiquiti's self-hosted console software, announced July 30, 2025 for managed service providers and enterprise teams. It runs on x86/x64/ARM64 servers, virtual machines or edge appliances and extends UniFi's license-free approach.
What does Official UniFi Hosting include?
Per the Ubiquiti store, Official UniFi Hosting starts at $29.00 per month (observed September 2026, subject to change), manages up to 1,000 UniFi Network devices and is managed through Site Manager at unifi.ui.com.
Who should own our UniFi account if an MSP manages it?
Your business should. PDC recommends that clients own the UniFi account and grant PDC a role, so access can be changed or revoked without rebuilding the network.
Can PDC take over management of UniFi sites someone else installed?
Usually, yes. We start with an audit of each site's console, firmware, VLANs and admin accounts. Call (336) 886-3282 to get started.