Docker containers only run on UGREEN DXP series models running UGOS Pro. If you have a DH2300 or DH4300 Plus with an ARM CPU and UGOS, Docker is not supported on your hardware. This is the most important thing to understand before buying a UGREEN NAS for self-hosting.
In short: Docker works on all DXP models (DXP2800, DXP4800, DXP4800 Plus, DXP4800 Pro, DXP6800 Pro) running UGOS Pro. Docker does not work on DH series models (DH2300, DH4300, DH4300 Plus) running UGOS. UGOS Pro includes a native Docker integration in the App Centre. No manual installation required.
Which UGREEN Models Support Docker?
Docker Support Across UGREEN NASync Models
| DH2300 / DH4300 Plus | DXP2800 | DXP4800 Plus | DXP4800 Pro | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | ARM Cortex-A55 | Intel Celeron N100 | Intel Celeron N100 | Intel Core i3-N305 |
| OS | UGOS (ARM) | UGOS Pro | UGOS Pro | UGOS Pro |
| Docker Support | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Container Apps (App Centre) | Not available | Full UGOS Pro App Centre | Full UGOS Pro App Centre | Full UGOS Pro App Centre |
| RAM for Containers | 4-8GB (fixed) | 8GB DDR5 (up to 16GB) | 8GB DDR5 (up to 16GB) | 16GB DDR5 (up to 32GB) |
| Simultaneous Containers | 0 | 3-5 lightweight | 5-8 typical | 10 or more |
| Best Use | File sharing and backup only | Home self-hosting starter | Main home self-hosting NAS | Power homelab and small office |
Installing and Accessing Docker on UGOS Pro
UGOS Pro includes Docker support natively. You do not need to install Docker separately. It is available through two interfaces: the App Centre (for pre-packaged one-click installs) and the Container Manager (for custom Docker Compose deployments).
Finding the Container Manager:
- Log in to UGOS Pro at your NAS IP address (default port 9000).
- Click the grid icon in the top right to open the app drawer.
- Scroll to find Container Manager. If it is not visible, open App Centre and search for Container Manager to confirm it is installed.
- Container Manager shows your running containers, their status, CPU and RAM usage, and network ports.
For simpler management, install Portainer from App Centre. Portainer is a web-based Docker management interface that gives you a visual overview of all containers, images, volumes, and networks. It is particularly useful for managing Docker Compose stacks.
Recommended Containers to Run on UGREEN DXP NAS
The following containers are well-supported on UGREEN DXP hardware and tested on UGOS Pro:
Portainer. Docker management interface. Install this first. It makes every other container easier to manage. Available directly in UGOS Pro App Centre.
Jellyfin. Free media server. Runs as a Docker container on all DXP models. Supports hardware transcoding via Intel Quick Sync without a subscription. Install from App Centre or deploy the jellyfin/jellyfin image.
Nextcloud. Self-hosted file sync and share. Replaces Dropbox or Google Drive for your household. Requires a database container (MariaDB) alongside it. Available in UGOS Pro App Centre or deploy via Docker Compose.
Immich. AI photo management and backup. Replaces Google Photos. Works on DXP series with machine-learning-based face recognition and semantic photo search. Runs as a multi-container stack (server, microservices, database, Redis). Best on DXP4800 Plus or DXP4800 Pro for the AI processing workload. See our Immich setup guide for full steps.
Vaultwarden. Self-hosted password manager compatible with Bitwarden apps. Very lightweight (runs comfortably on DXP2800). Deploy the vaultwarden/server image.
Uptime Kuma. Self-hosted monitoring dashboard. Tracks whether your services and websites are up. Useful for homelab setups. Lightweight single container.
Homepage. Dashboard for all your self-hosted services. Aggregates status from Plex, Nextcloud, Vaultwarden and other containers in one view.
RAM planning for containers: Each running container consumes RAM. Jellyfin uses 500MB-1GB. Nextcloud with MariaDB uses 600MB-1.2GB total. Immich with its full stack uses 1.5-2.5GB. If you plan to run 4-5 containers simultaneously, the DXP2800 (8GB RAM) will be constrained. DXP4800 Plus (8GB, upgradeable to 16GB) is more comfortable. DXP4800 Pro (16GB, upgradeable to 32GB) handles a full homelab stack with room to spare.
Deploying a Container via Docker Compose on UGOS Pro
For containers not available in App Centre, use Portainer to deploy Docker Compose stacks. This is the standard approach for multi-container apps like Nextcloud, Immich, and Paperless-ngx.
- Install Portainer from UGOS Pro App Centre if you have not already.
- Open Portainer. Usually at http://[NAS-IP]:9443 or via the App Centre shortcut.
- Go to Stacks. Click Stacks in the left sidebar.
- Click Add Stack and give it a name (e.g. nextcloud).
- Paste your docker-compose.yml into the Web Editor. The official documentation for each project provides a compose file. Use the version appropriate for your NAS architecture (x86-64 for all DXP models).
- Set environment variables. Most compose files require passwords and paths. Portainer has an Env tab for this.
- Click Deploy the stack. Portainer pulls images and starts containers. Monitor progress in the container logs.
Important: use the /media/ path prefix to point container volumes at your NAS shared folders. For example, if your NAS has a share named appdata, map it as /media/appdata:/config inside the container volume definition.
Networking: Accessing Containers from Your Home Network
Each container exposes a port on your NAS IP. For example, Jellyfin uses port 8096 by default, so it is accessible at http://192.168.1.100:8096 (replace with your NAS IP).
Port mapping: When deploying a container, the port mapping in docker-compose.yml follows the format hostPort:containerPort. The host port is what you access on your network. Avoid using port 9000 (UGOS Pro web interface) or port 32400 (Plex default) to prevent conflicts.
Remote access: To access your containers from outside your home, the easiest approach is Tailscale. Install Tailscale on your NAS (via App Centre or Docker) and on your remote device. Tailscale creates an encrypted tunnel between devices, bypassing CGNAT. Once connected, your container ports are accessible via the Tailscale IP of your NAS.
Reverse proxy: For a cleaner setup with domain names instead of IP addresses, deploy a reverse proxy like Nginx Proxy Manager (available as a Docker container). It routes requests from yourapp.yourdomain.com to the right container port. This is optional for home use but common in homelab setups.
Related reading: our NAS buyer's guide, our NAS explainer, and our UGREEN brand guide.
Does the UGREEN DH4300 Plus support Docker?
No. The DH4300 Plus runs an ARM Cortex-A55 CPU with UGOS, which does not support Docker or container workloads. Docker requires an Intel CPU and UGOS Pro. If you need Docker, the DXP2800 is the entry-level option at around $499 AU with an Intel Celeron N100 and full UGOS Pro container support. The DXP4800 Plus is the better choice if you plan to run multiple containers simultaneously.
Which UGREEN NAS is best for self-hosting with Docker?
The DXP4800 Plus is the recommended starting point for home self-hosting. It has an Intel N100 CPU, 8GB DDR5 RAM (upgradeable to 16GB), 4 drive bays, and full UGOS Pro container support. For a more demanding homelab with 5 or more simultaneous containers, AI workloads, or small office use, the DXP4800 Pro (Intel i3-N305, 16GB RAM upgradeable to 32GB) is a better fit. The DXP2800 works for light single-user self-hosting but RAM is fixed at 8GB.
Can I run Immich on a UGREEN DXP NAS?
Yes. Immich runs on UGREEN DXP models via Docker Compose through Portainer. The full Immich stack (server, microservices, database, Redis, machine learning) uses around 2-3GB of RAM and requires a multicore Intel CPU for the AI processing. DXP4800 Plus and DXP4800 Pro are well-suited. DXP2800 can run Immich but the machine learning microservice may be slow to process large photo libraries. See our Immich on NAS setup guide for full deployment steps.
How do I access my NAS shared folders inside a Docker container on UGOS Pro?
UGOS Pro maps your NAS shared folders under the /media/ path inside containers. If your NAS share is named appdata, the path inside the container is /media/appdata. When writing a docker-compose.yml volume definition, use /media/appdata:/config (or whichever container path the app expects). Make sure the share exists in UGOS Pro Storage Manager and is enabled before starting the container.
Can I run TrueNAS or Unraid on a UGREEN DXP instead of UGOS Pro?
Yes, technically. UGREEN DXP models use standard Intel hardware that TrueNAS Scale and Unraid both support. Some users have successfully installed alternative operating systems. However, this voids the UGOS Pro-based warranty support and you lose access to UGREEN's App Centre and any UGREEN-specific hardware integrations. See our TrueNAS and Unraid on UGREEN DXP guide for specifics on what works and what does not.
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