PiKVM: Open-Source IP-KVM on Raspberry Pi for Remote Server Management
Open and inexpensive DIY IP-KVM based on Raspberry Pi
At a glance
- What is it?
- PiKVM is a GPL-3.0 licensed IP-KVM project that lets you control a remote computer at the keyboard, video, and mouse level over the network. It runs on Raspberry Pi hardware, ships a ready-made OS image with a read-only filesystem, and supports BIOS access and OS reinstallation via virtual storage.
- Who is it for?
- System administrators managing physical servers remotely who need sub-50ms H.264 video at BIOS level should look at the V4 Plus or V4 Mini as the plug-and-play path. Those with an unused Raspberry Pi 4 or 5 can build a functional DIY V2 themselves; the DIY V1 path is limited to earlier Pi hardware without audio or microphone.
- Can I use it commercially?
- Yes, with conditions. GPL-3.0 is a copyleft licence: if you distribute software that includes it, you must release that software's source code under the same licence. Running it internally without distributing it does not trigger that obligation.
- Is it still maintained?
- Yes. The repository last received commits 8 days ago.
- What is it written in?
- GitHub does not report a main language for this repository.
Answers come from the project's GitHub data, last synced on September 29, 2026, and from our analysis. They are not legal advice.
Editorial analysis
What PiKVM Solves and Who Uses It
IP-KVM devices address a specific gap in remote server management: they give access to a machine's keyboard, video output, and mouse before the operating system loads. That means you can enter the BIOS, change boot order, reinstall the OS from a virtual disk image, or fix a broken bootloader from anywhere on the network, regardless of whether the OS is running. Commercial enterprise KVM-over-IP hardware has traditionally been expensive. PiKVM replicates that capability on Raspberry Pi hardware at a fraction of the cost.
The primary users are homelab operators, self-hosted server administrators, and small IT teams who manage physical hardware without on-site staff. The README describes the use case directly: "This device helps to manage servers or workstations remotely, regardless of the health of the operating system or whether one is installed."
Hardware Variants: DIY Builds and Prebuilt Devices
PiKVM supports five distinct hardware configurations. The V4 Plus and V4 Mini are commercial, fully assembled devices built around the Compute Module 4 (CM4), which the README describes as plug-and-play and industrial grade. The V3 is also a prebuilt unit, using a Raspberry Pi 4 with the board included.
The DIY V2 and DIY V1 are self-built configurations. DIY V2 supports Raspberry Pi 5, Pi 4, or Zero2W. DIY V1 supports Pi 3, Pi 2, and Zero2W. The distinction matters for capabilities: V4 Plus and V4 Mini both support full 1920x1080@60Hz HDMI input and HDMI audio capture; V3 supports audio and microphone but lacks the higher resolution modes; DIY V1 and V2 support neither audio capture nor microphone. Video passthrough to a local display is available only on the V4 Plus.
A separate product, PiKVM Switch, is announced in the README for converting a PiKVM unit into a multiport device.
Video, Audio, and HID Capabilities
The README claims 35 to 50ms H.264 latency, described as the lowest among KVMs on the market and linked to a latency documentation page. Video transmission supports WebRTC, H.264-over-HTTP, and MJPEG. All variants support USB keyboard and mouse emulation including LED state and scroll wheel, full PS/2 support, Bluetooth HID, and a mouse jiggler feature.
Audio support varies by hardware tier. The V4 Plus and V4 Mini include HDMI audio capture and a microphone for two-way audio, plus a web camera connection for video calls. V3 also includes these audio and microphone features. DIY V1 and V2 do not support audio capture or microphone.
VNC access is available alongside the web UI, and the system supports IPMI BMC, IPMI SoL, Redfish, and Wake-on-LAN for controlling server power and out-of-band management on compatible server hardware.
Virtual Storage and ATX Power Control
One of the most practical features for OS reinstallation is virtual storage emulation. PiKVM can emulate a bootable CD/DVD or Flash Drive from an image file, with the option to store images on NFS. That means you can mount an ISO of an operating system installer from the web UI and boot the target machine from it remotely, without physically inserting media.
The README also documents ATX power management, which allows controlling the target machine's power button and reset functions through the PiKVM web interface. This requires wiring the PiKVM to the ATX header on the target machine's motherboard, which is part of the DIY assembly process. GPIO port and USB relay control are also listed as features.
The ready-made OS runs with a read-only filesystem, and the system provides HTTPS and extensible authentication out of the box. Health monitoring of the Raspberry Pi itself is also included.
Where PiKVM Has Limitations
DIY builds require hardware assembly and soldering for some configurations. The video capture input is HDMI; machines that output only VGA or DisplayPort require an adapter, and compatibility depends on the adapter's signal quality. The README notes that the project documentation is at docs.pikvm.org, but specific cable and adapter compatibility guidance is outside the README itself.
DIY V1 and V2 builds do not support audio capture, microphone, or web camera, which matters for environments where hearing system beep codes or communicating through the remote session is useful. The V4 Plus is the only variant with video passthrough to a local display, which means V4 Mini and V3 units cannot feed a locally connected monitor while the PiKVM is active.
The GPL-3.0 license covers the PiKVM software. Commercial use is permitted, but if you distribute a modified version of the software you must release those modifications under the same GPL-3.0 terms. Organizations that want to build a product based on PiKVM need to account for this copyleft requirement before shipping.
PiKVM vs JetKVM
JetKVM is a competing commercial IP-KVM device. The difference in approach is that JetKVM is a closed hardware product sold as a finished device, while PiKVM is an open-source project you can either build yourself from Raspberry Pi hardware or buy as a prebuilt unit (V3 or V4). PiKVM's DIY path is the primary distinction: it lets someone with an existing Raspberry Pi get KVM-over-IP functionality without purchasing additional proprietary hardware.
The open-source nature of PiKVM also means the OS and software can be inspected, extended with GPIO scripts, or modified, which JetKVM's proprietary firmware does not support. For organizations with strict supply chain or auditability requirements, GPL-3.0 source availability is a concrete advantage.
License, Maintenance, and the Project Repository
The repository is GPL-3.0 licensed. The last push was on 2026-09-21. The repository layout is a documentation project using MkDocs (mkdocs.yml is at the root) with the actual technical documentation in the docs/ directory. The README acts as an overview and links to docs.pikvm.org for the full setup and usage guides.
The project sells commercial prebuilt units, which funds continued development. That creates an incentive structure different from purely volunteer-maintained open hardware projects. The PiKVM Switch, announced in the README as a new product, indicates active hardware development beyond the V4 line.
Editorial conclusion
System administrators managing physical servers remotely who need sub-50ms H.264 video at BIOS level should look at the V4 Plus or V4 Mini as the plug-and-play path. Those with an unused Raspberry Pi 4 or 5 can build a functional DIY V2 themselves; the DIY V1 path is limited to earlier Pi hardware without audio or microphone. Before purchasing, confirm that the target machine's video output is compatible with PiKVM's HDMI capture hardware.
Frequently asked questions
What does a PiKVM do?
PiKVM provides keyboard, video, and mouse control over a network connection, reaching the target machine at BIOS level regardless of whether an operating system is running. It supports virtual CD/DVD and USB flash drive emulation for remote OS installation.
Can I make my own PiKVM?
Yes. The DIY V2 build uses a Raspberry Pi 5, Pi 4, or Zero2W that you supply, and the DIY V1 supports Pi 3, Pi 2, or Zero2W. The docs.pikvm.org site covers the assembly and flashing steps.
What is PiKVM used for?
PiKVM is used for remote access to servers and workstations at the firmware and BIOS level, OS reinstallation via virtual media, ATX power management, and fixing boot issues on machines that cannot be accessed through a running operating system.
How do you install PiKVM?
Prebuilt V4 and V3 units are plug-and-play after connecting. DIY builds require flashing the PiKVM OS image to a microSD card and assembling the hardware; the full steps are documented at docs.pikvm.org.
Official sources
Add this badge to your README
If you maintain this project, the badge below links readers to this analysis and shows its maintenance status from the daily GitHub snapshot. Paste the markdown into your README; add ?metric=license or ?metric=stars to the image URL for a different field.
[](https://hysenlabs.com/projects/pikvm-pikvm)