diff --git a/browser/data-browser/src/views/getting-started/GettingStartedFlow.test.tsx b/browser/data-browser/src/views/getting-started/GettingStartedFlow.test.tsx
index 2c57d7e72f..d5e08d3a9a 100644
--- a/browser/data-browser/src/views/getting-started/GettingStartedFlow.test.tsx
+++ b/browser/data-browser/src/views/getting-started/GettingStartedFlow.test.tsx
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ import { buildTheme } from '../../styling';
 
 const state = vi.hoisted(() => ({
   portal: 'https://portal.example',
+  hosted: false,
   navigate: vi.fn(),
   setAgent: vi.fn(),
   setDrive: vi.fn(),
@@ -77,6 +78,7 @@ vi.mock('../../helpers/managed/session', () => ({
 }));
 vi.mock('../../helpers/managedServer', () => ({
   fetchManagedInfo: async () => null,
+  isHostedDistribution: () => state.hosted,
   accountCreationTarget: () =>
     state.portal ? { kind: 'portal', url: state.portal } : { kind: 'local' },
 }));
@@ -172,6 +174,7 @@ const show = async (query = '') => {
 beforeEach(() => {
   vi.clearAllMocks();
   state.portal = 'https://portal.example';
+  state.hosted = false;
   state.recovery.mockResolvedValue(null);
   state.account = null;
   state.hasData = true;
@@ -195,6 +198,13 @@ it('keeps secret sign-in reachable when a portal is configured', async () => {
   expect(await screen.findByLabelText('Agent secret')).toBeTruthy();
 });
 
+it('opens a hosted build on sign-in, without the welcome choice', async () => {
+  state.hosted = true;
+  await show();
+  expect(screen.getByLabelText('Agent secret')).toBeTruthy();
+  expect(screen.queryByRole('button', { name: 'Create account' })).toBeNull();
+});
+
 it('keeps a self-hosted welcome usable', async () => {
   state.portal = '';
   await show();
diff --git a/browser/data-browser/src/views/getting-started/GettingStartedFlow.tsx b/browser/data-browser/src/views/getting-started/GettingStartedFlow.tsx
index 80d5dc4a0d..269971886c 100644
--- a/browser/data-browser/src/views/getting-started/GettingStartedFlow.tsx
+++ b/browser/data-browser/src/views/getting-started/GettingStartedFlow.tsx
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ import {
   fetchManagedInfo,
   accountCreationTarget,
   type AccountCreationTarget,
+  isHostedDistribution,
 } from '../../helpers/managedServer';
 import {
   ensureVaultBackup,
@@ -216,7 +217,13 @@ export function GettingStartedFlow({
       ? 'create'
       : inviteToken
         ? 'restore'
-        : nextDrive || returnToAgent || signInRequested
+        : nextDrive ||
+            returnToAgent ||
+            signInRequested ||
+            // Hosted builds have no Create/Sign-in/Demo choice: creating an
+            // account happens in the portal, so signed-out people get the
+            // sign-in options directly.
+            (isHostedDistribution() && initialStep === 'welcome')
           ? 'signin'
           : initialStep,
   );
@@ -1189,6 +1196,9 @@ export function GettingStartedFlow({
                     window.location.assign(
                       new URL('/dashboard', knownPortalUrl).toString(),
                     );
+                  } else if (isHostedDistribution() && knownPortalUrl) {
+                    // No welcome step in a hosted build; Back leaves for the portal.
+                    window.location.assign(knownPortalUrl);
                   } else {
                     setStep('welcome');
                   }