I would strongly encourage separation of duties. Ideally, your bitcoin and lightning services should not coexist on the same server as general purpose network media services like plex, fileshare, and LLMs.

That said, Start9 is more of a pretty UI appliance, with no intention of users doing custom configurations, though you can side load apps. Umbrel is more of a kitchen sink approach of ppint and click installs.

Personally, I go with a Raspibolt/Minibolt setup for Bitcoin and a standard Ubuntu server for the file sharing 

 I agree. I have StartOS doing bitcoin/lightning stuff, as well as some stuff like private relay, SimpleX server, etc. Things that are easy with Tor and don't use a ton of resources. 

I run PiHole and Jellyfin on a Pi on the local network only. The storage and backup needs of Jellyfin don't jive with StartOS at the moment. I initially tried to make it all run together and it just got weird. Much happier with splitting them up. 

Side note - I also fire up new installs of StartOS to test things, so there are occasionally 3 servers running, all segregated and doing their own thing. I'd be sweating bullets fiddling on the machine running my node. It's worth having that extra mini PC around for this stuff. 

 Yeah, I've to convice my wife that it's a good idea to have several computers and cables flying around - but I got your point and also think, that it is definitely worth it 

 Good point. 
I'm using Linux for 25 years now and would be able to start some docker containers on my server on my own - but I must admit, the shiny and easy to use UI just "convinced" me 😄
Yep, you're absolutely right, that having a fancy UI shoud not be the reason to mix money and entertainment together. I may separate the bitcoin/lightning part from the "fun" part. 
Thanks, @Vic  

 Debian 12 

 I ended up with a Start9 after listening to this episode: https://fountain.fm/episode/2xVRHjCXDNgpwLEcBflA
If I remember correctly - Matt gave several reasons why umbrel is not the way to go. Beware they use adult language. 

 Also if you want to get one and stack a few discounts I was able to get mine about 10% off.  Send me a DM and I’ll walk you through what I did. 

 Thanks for the advice. I'll listen to the podcast this evening!  

 UNRAID all the way.  

 Start9
Best guides if you want to build it yourself. I did an Umbrel and then an Embassy (what start9's closet server used to be called) and start9 is better. 

 I’ve run both…Umbrel is more friendly to tinkering, easier to access for clearnet , and has a lot of apps. Start9 is a solid Bitcoin machine and clearnet access is coming in a future update. Both are good setups in my opinion. It all boils down to what you want to do. Clearnet access really isn’t that big a deal unless you’re trying to run btcpayserver online store or something similar. Can’t go wrong either way. Best choice is just to do it. Congratulations. 

 Thanks, @chriso 
Currently I'm traveling for another 6 months and using this time to try out the (now 3) options as virtual machines. 

 Install #Proxmox as the OS and then virtualize everything else. Whether #Umbrel or #Start9 or Dockers or pur #Bitcoin #node. Dreams do come true. If possible, one server and one service. Have fun. 

 Hmmm ... sounds interesting. Thanks @₿ Nico ₿ ∞/21m Low-Time-Preference for bringing a third into the game 😉  I'll definately have a look at #Proxmox  

 Umbrel is easier and fancier UX but source available. Start 9 is solid but built on an ethic of open source that supports bitcoin. If it’s about ethos, start9. If it’s just set and forget for casual use, umbrel is just fine. 

 I'm rooting with this idea myself, so really interested in the replies. 

 Thanks for your constructive and positive feedback! Nostr is a fine parallel universe with very nice, friendly and helpful people. (published with my own virtual Umbrel hosted nostrudel) 🙌