Run Speedify Headless on a Linux Server with the CLI
A Linux server rarely has a screen, a mouse, or a desktop, and it does not need any of them to run Speedify. Speedify runs fully headless, controlled entirely through the command-line interface, so a server can combine multiple internet connections and stay online through a dropped connection with nothing but an SSH session.
Speedify combines Wi-Fi, 4G/5G cellular, Ethernet, Starlink and satellite internet connections into one, and on a server that usually means combining two or more wired or cellular uplinks for redundancy and speed. Speedify’s technology for combining internet connections splits traffic across every uplink packet by packet, moves traffic to the remaining connections if one fails, and encrypts every connection. With only one uplink, Speedify works as an encrypted VPN and cannot make it faster or stop it from dropping.
Speedify runs on the router and bonds the connections for everything behind it
How do I use WiFi and 4G/5G cellular at the same time with Speedify?
Pick your two internet connections and your device below and we'll take you to the step-by-step setup guide.
Desktop UI vs Headless CLI
| Setup | Speedify desktop UI | Speedify headless CLI |
|---|---|---|
| Needs a display | Yes | No, runs over SSH |
| Package to install | speedify plus speedifyui | speedify only |
| How you control it | Graphical interface | speedify_cli commands |
| Best for | Laptops and desktops | Servers, containers, and embedded devices |
| Scriptable and automatable | Limited | Yes, including a Python API |
How to Install Speedify on a Headless Linux Server
- Install Speedify from the terminal. Speedify supports Ubuntu 22.04 or later, Debian 11 or later and Raspberry Pi OS Bookworm or later. Run the install command from Speedify’s Linux installation guide. On a headless system you only need the core Speedify package, not the user-interface package. On a minimal system with only root access and no sudo, you can follow the manual install steps in the same guide.
- Confirm the background service is running. Speedify runs as a background service after installation, which is what the CLI talks to.
- Locate the CLI. On Linux the command-line tool lives at /usr/share/speedify/speedify_cli. See Speedify’s Linux CLI guide for details.
Sign In and Connect from the Command Line
With no interface, sign-in happens through the CLI. Running the login command returns an activation URL that you open in a browser on any device to finish signing in, after which the server stays signed in. Speedify on Linux needs a paid Speedify plan, since the free tier is not available on Linux. Once authenticated, a single connect command brings Speedify online, and a status check confirms the account and connection. The complete command reference, including how to connect to a specific server, set adapter priorities, and read connection stats, is in Speedify’s CLI usage guide.
Combine Internet Connections on a Linux Server
Speedify combines whatever uplinks a server has: two Ethernet ports, a wired connection plus a tethered cellular modem, or a main line plus a second internet connection. Each connection is managed through the CLI, where you can set a metered connection to Secondary, so Speedify uses it only when the Primary connections cannot keep up, or to Backup, so Speedify uses it only when the other connections fail. In the CLI, the Primary priority still goes by its old name, always. Speedify then spreads traffic across the active connections at the packet level and moves it to the remaining connections if one fails.
For a single-board example of the same idea, see Speedify’s guide to building a Raspberry Pi router that combines connections.
Automate Speedify with the Python API
Headless setups often want automation, and Speedify ships an official Python API for exactly that. Scripts can change settings, run speed tests, log connection stats, and react to connects and disconnects.
The package is on Speedify’s GitHub at github.com/speedify/speedify-py. For teams that need more control over where traffic exits, Speedify also offers dedicated and self-hosted servers.
Headless Speedify on Linux: FAQ
Can Speedify run without a desktop?
Yes. Speedify runs fully headless on Linux, controlled through the speedify_cli command-line tool over SSH. No display or desktop environment is required.
How do I sign in with no user interface?
The CLI login command returns an activation URL. Open it in a browser on any device to complete sign-in, and the server stays signed in.
Can I automate Speedify on a server?
Yes. Speedify offers an official Python API so scripts can control settings, run speed tests, and respond to connection events.
Does headless mode still combine connections and fail over?
Yes. Headless mode combines connections and fails over the same way as the desktop app, just without a graphical interface.
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