Best of self-hosting — 2025

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   Article

   Hacker News·1y

   Self Hosting Like Its 2025

   Self-hosting has become a popular alternative to using data-collecting services. The post discusses the benefits of self-hosting, highlights helpful yet lesser-known software, and provides insights into container runtimes like Docker, Podman, and Kubernetes. It also covers web-based tools for managing containers such as Portainer and Dockge, and discusses reverse proxy and VPN solutions like Pangolin and NetBird. Additionally, it references resources for finding more applications and tools to enhance the self-hosting experience.

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   Article

   selfh.st·52w

   Self-Host Weekly (9 May 2025)

   This post discusses the state of self-hosted communication platforms, emphasizing the challenge of encouraging adoption amid popular hosted services. It highlights interoperability issues and mentions recent software updates and new releases in the self-hosting space, offering insights into the latest developments and projects.

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   Article

   selfhosted·27w

   What to do with an old laptop?

   A developer seeks advice on repurposing a 2014-2015 laptop (Intel i5, 8GB RAM, 500GB SSD) into a home server for running scripts, cron jobs, and self-hosted services. Key considerations include choosing a lightweight Ubuntu-based Linux distribution, enabling SSH access, minimizing resource usage and noise, optimal placement near the router, and whether to disconnect the screen for power savings. The goal is a 24/7 server for automation tasks, data storage, and services like Pi-hole, self-hosted cloud storage, and workflow automation tools.

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   Article

   Noted·34w

   Termix: A Self-Hosted, All-in-One Platform for Server Management

   Termix is an open-source, self-hosted platform that consolidates server management tasks into a single web interface. It provides SSH terminal access with split panels, SSH tunneling with auto-reconnect, remote file editing with syntax highlighting, real-time system monitoring, and Docker container management. The platform emphasizes privacy and control by running entirely on your own infrastructure without external dependencies or subscriptions.

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   Article

   Hacker News·1y

   I left Spotify. What happened next?

   After leaving Spotify, the author experimented with various music players, ultimately setting up Jellyfin as a self-hosted solution. They explored traditional music players like Winamp and VLC, trialed foobar2000, and even built a custom web music player. The journey ended with Jellyfin, which offers comprehensive features for local and offline music playback. The author also notes the ease of setting up a home server for self-hosting Jellyfin, along with other applications.

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   Article

   Jeff Geerling·44w

   You will own nothing and be happy (Stop Killing Games)

   Digital ownership is under threat as companies increasingly tie products to cloud services and DRM systems. Modern appliances like dishwashers now require app connections and WiFi, while games are designed to expire when servers shut down. The Stop Killing Games initiative aims to preserve gaming by requiring companies to ensure purchased games remain playable after official support ends. Self-hosting and local ownership represent a pushback against the rental-based economy where consumers lose control over products they've purchased.

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   Article

   Noted·1y

   Eigenfocus - Self-Hosted Kanban, Time Tracking & Focus Platform

   Eigenfocus is a free, self-hosted project management tool that offers kanban boards, time tracking, and customizable focus tools. Key features include project creation, issue tracking, workflow management, time reports, and UI theming. It can be installed using Docker Compose. Additionally, a Supporter Edition introduces premium features like inviting members and additional project views, though this may lead to community concerns about feature fragmentation.

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   Article

   The New Stack·44w

   Build Your Own Private Cloud at Home With Docker

   Docker containers can transform your home network into a private cloud alternative to third-party services. Key applications include Nextcloud for file storage and office suite functionality, Grocy for household management and meal planning, Tududi for task management with Telegram integration, Bitwarden for password management, and Portainer for container management through a web interface. These self-hosted solutions provide greater control, security, and privacy compared to cloud-based alternatives.

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   Video

   ByteGrad·48w

   How To Self-Host n8n (VPS vs Your Computer)

   Compares two approaches for self-hosting n8n workflow automation software: running it locally on your computer versus using a VPS cloud server. Local hosting offers cost savings, data privacy, and lower latency for local integrations, but VPS hosting provides better uptime, easier collaboration, webhook support, and simpler backup management. Includes step-by-step setup instructions for both methods, with practical demonstrations of installing n8n locally using npx and deploying it on a Hostinger VPS using their pre-configured template.

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    Article

    selfh.st·50w

    What I Learned Building My First Self-Hosted App

    Sean Morley shares his journey of creating AdventureLog, his first self-hosted app. Despite lacking formal web development training, Sean successfully launched the app and learned valuable lessons about development, community, and persistence. His experience emphasizes the importance of building projects that matter to you personally, leveraging community, and overcoming self-doubt to create meaningful open-source software.

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    Article

    Noted·1y

    Dumbware.io: Simplifying Self-Hosted Apps

    Dumbware.io began with a simple file upload app called DumbDrop, created to provide an easy way for self-hosting files. Built with Node.js and JavaScript, it emphasizes minimalism and simplicity. Following DumbDrop's success, the founders expanded Dumbware into a suite of five self-hosted tools: DumbDrop, DumbPad, DumbKan, DumbDo, and DumbBudget. Each tool is designed to be user-friendly and open source. New additions, such as DumbWhois and DumbMonitor, are underway. DumbAuth, a simple authentication solution, was developed based on community feedback.

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    Article

    selfh.st·46w

    Self-Host Weekly (20 June 2025)

    Weekly roundup of self-hosted software updates and new releases for June 20, 2025. Notable updates include Immich v1.135.0 with iOS widgets and Google Cast support, FileBrowser v2.33.0 with community maintenance, and various new tools like Cardholder PWA for loyalty card tracking and Cloudy Pad for cloud gaming. The newsletter covers 18 software updates, 20 new projects, and highlights Homarr as a modern dashboard solution for self-hosted services.

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    Article

    Hacker News·39w

    Over engineering my homelab so I don't pay cloud providers

    A detailed guide on setting up a home virtualization environment using Proxmox Virtual Environment on encrypted Debian, with full automation through Ansible playbooks. The author migrates from cloud VPS to a local mini PC setup, implementing disk encryption, bridged networking, and infrastructure-as-code practices to create a flexible homelab for experimenting with Kubernetes while maintaining production service stability.

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    Article

    Noted·1y

    FileDrop: Self Hosted WebRTC File Transfer with Chat

    FileDrop is a self-hosted, end-to-end encrypted, peer-to-peer file transfer platform built on React and Node.js. It supports both file and text transfers and features a minimalist user interface. The post provides a Docker Compose configuration for easy setup and explains that files are relayed directly between devices without being stored on the server. Coturn is used as the TURN server for relaying data when direct peer-to-peer connection is not possible.

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    Article

    Noted·34w

    Meet the New Self-Hosted Portainer Alternative: Arcane

    Arcane is a modern Docker management tool that serves as an alternative to Portainer, offering a clean interface for managing containers, images, networks, and volumes. It features real-time monitoring, resource visualization through graphs, and mobile-responsive design. The tool can be easily installed via Docker Compose and includes convenient features like one-click pruning of unused resources.

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    Article

    Hacker News·42w

    My Ultimate Self-hosting Setup

    A comprehensive guide to building a self-hosting setup using NixOS, ZFS, and Tailscale. The author shares their journey from tinkering with various approaches to settling on a stable configuration that prioritizes security, usability, and maintainability. Key components include NixOS for declarative configuration, ZFS for data protection, Tailscale for secure networking, and Authelia with LLDAP for authentication. The setup separates public and private services across multiple servers, with detailed solutions for common problems like DNS configuration, SSL certificates, and service proxying.

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    Article

    Noted·1y

    Many Notes: Open-Source and Self Hosted Markdown Note-Taking App

    Many Notes is an open-source, self-hosted Markdown note-taking app designed for easy setup and use. It features multiple user support, OAuth authentication, a smart Markdown editor, automatic saving, and light/dark themes. Users can organize files into vaults, connect related notes with links and tags, and easily import/export vaults. Installation can be quickly done using Docker Compose.

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    Article

    Community Picks·1y

    Self-Hosting A Cluster On Old Phones

    Old smartphones can be repurposed as computing clusters, utilizing their computing power to run self-hosted services. To achieve this, a phone with an unlockable bootloader is required to install postmarketOS, a Linux distribution that enables SSH access and the use of Kubernetes. This practice can be more cost-effective and provide robust alternatives compared to using devices like Raspberry Pi. The guide explores detailed steps for setting up such clusters, making use of old or partially damaged phones.

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    Video

    ThePrimeTime·28w

    banned from github

    A developer reflects on the risks of platform dependency after witnessing a GitHub account suspension. The incident highlights how relying on centralized services like GitHub for code hosting, authentication, and SSO creates single points of failure that could lock users out of their work and connected services. While self-hosting offers independence, the practical challenges and network effects of platforms like GitHub make migration difficult, leaving developers in a convenience-versus-control dilemma with no clear solution.

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    Article

    selfh.st·1y

    This Week in Self-Hosted (11 April 2025)

    This week's self-hosted updates include the rebranding of Hoarder to Karakeep due to legal threats, Tailscale's new funding round, criticism of Plex's new mobile app, and the introduction of Streamystats for tracking Jellyfin data. Additionally, new tools for managing SSH keys from Cloudflare and Bitwarden were highlighted. Other topics include a guide to using curl wttr.in for weather forecasts and various videos and podcasts on improving security and home lab setup.

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    Article

    n8n·49w

    Run N8N for 1$/month instead of 28$ (+ more features)

    Self-hosting n8n on a VPS costs only $1/month compared to $28/month for the SaaS plan, while providing unlimited workflows instead of the 5-workflow limit on the paid cloud plan. This approach offers significant cost savings and removes usage restrictions for automation workflows.

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    Article

    Community Picks·1y

    Gurubase/gurubase: Gurubase is an open-source RAG system that lets you create AI-powered Q&A assistants by indexing websites, PDF documents, YouTube videos, and GitHub code repositories.

    Gurubase is an open-source Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) system that allows users to create AI-powered Q&A assistants, known as 'Gurus,' by indexing various data sources such as websites, PDFs, YouTube videos, and GitHub repositories. It offers easy integration with websites, Slack, and Discord. Users can self-host the system and manage data sources to keep content updated. Contributions and collaborations are welcome under the Apache 2.0 License.

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    Article

    Lobsters·20w

    Go ahead, self-host Postgres

    Self-hosting Postgres is more practical than cloud providers suggest. The author shares two years of experience running self-hosted Postgres serving millions of daily queries with minimal operational overhead (30 minutes monthly). Managed services like AWS RDS run standard Postgres with operational tooling, but at significant markup. Self-hosting offers better performance tunability, lower costs (dedicated servers cost less than equivalent RDS instances), and comparable reliability. The article provides specific configuration guidance for memory, connections, storage, and WAL settings, plus realistic time estimates for maintenance tasks. Self-hosting makes sense for most teams between complete beginners and enterprise-scale operations requiring dedicated database engineers.

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    Article

    Hacker News·35w

    Why I Ditched Spotify, and How I Set Up My Own Music Stack

    A developer shares their journey from Spotify to building a self-hosted music streaming solution using Navidrome, Lidarr, and other open-source tools. The setup provides lossless audio quality, complete ownership of music files, privacy, and direct artist support through purchases. The stack includes automated music management, synced lyrics, and discovery features while eliminating monthly subscription costs and corporate data collection.

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    Article

    Jeff Geerling·48w

    Self-hosting your own media considered harmful

    A content creator received two YouTube community guidelines violations for videos demonstrating self-hosted media solutions like LibreELEC and Jellyfin, despite showing only legal content management. YouTube flagged these tutorials as promoting unauthorized access to paid content, even though they focused on managing legally-owned media. The creator discusses the challenges of platform dependency, alternative hosting options like Floatplane and Internet Archive, and the economic realities of content creation outside major platforms.

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