Heimdall
Heimdall is a free, open-source application dashboard and launcher that centralizes links to your web apps in a simple start page. It provides a tile-based interface with categories, custom icons, and optional light integrations so teams and individuals reach analytics and admin tools from one governed entry point. Self-hosted deployment keeps the start page under your control.
It fits homelab users and small teams who want a clean, low-maintenance jump page. Heimdall reduces context switching, organizes apps into tiles and sections, and surfaces quick app info via Enhanced apps for faster discovery and basic status checks.
Use Cases
- Single start page for Snowflake, dbt, Tableau, and admin UIs.
- Homelab launcher for many self-hosted web services.
- Small-team centralized launcher for shared analytics and data tools.
- Reduce context switching by organizing apps into tiles.
- Show quick app status via Enhanced apps when supported.
- Support EU data residency goals for access portals.
Strengths
- Tile-based dashboard with categories, custom icons, and colors.
- Foundation apps include built-in icons and metadata for setup.
- Enhanced apps provide light API integration and status tiles.
- Self-hosted deployment keeps the start page under your control.
- Free and open-source software with no license cost.
- Low-maintenance start page suited to a governed analytics stack.
- Fast visual navigation to frequent apps via recognizable tiles.
Limitations
- Launcher only; it does not provide authentication or access control.
- Not a reverse proxy or gateway; manage access separately.
- Feature scope focuses on organization; complex dashboards are unsupported.
Final Thoughts
Try Heimdall now if you need a low-cost, self-hosted start page for homelabs or small teams. It fits cases where organized links and light tile integrations are sufficient.
A managed cloud suits teams that require provider-operated hosting or built-in access management. Heimdall is self-hosted only and has no managed cloud offering.