The atlas of software you can run yourself
Real specs, working Docker configs, and the right $5 VPS to run it on. Tested, not listed.
We run apps' documented installs ourselves, on a reset server — and publish the ones that fail.
Recent price checks
VPS prices are re-checked against the providers' own pages; each row shows when. The Oct pass caught these changes.
last pass: Oct 2026
- Hetzner Cloud$7.09/mo → $23.59/mo · Oct 1
- Hetzner Cloud$4.59/mo → $7.09/mo · Sep 3
- OVHcloud VPS-1$5.35/mo · unchanged · Oct 1
71 prices checked · 2 changes found
Where to run your stack
Cheap boxes with the headroom these guides need — start on one and keep the SaaS savings.
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Browse by category
240 apps · 97 guides · 108 comp totalReplace your subscription
The SaaS bills people quit most often — and the self-hosted app we'd replace each with.
Alternatives to 1Password
Alternatives to Airtable
Alternatives to Algolia
Alternatives to Asana
Alternatives to Auth0
Alternatives to ChatGPT
Self-hosting, answered
How we test →Is self-hosting actually cheaper than SaaS?
For teams, almost always — seat pricing is what you escape. A $4.50/mo VPS replaces per-user bills that grow with headcount. For a single user it depends on the app; our comparisons show the break-even point for each.
Do I need to know Linux to self-host?
You need to be comfortable pasting commands into a terminal — that's it. Every guide is written for a first server and run end to end on a fresh one.
What does a VPS cost?
€4.51–$8/mo covers most apps we review. We re-check provider pricing and show the month each figure was last verified.
Is my data safer self-hosted?
Safer from vendor lock-in and shutdowns, yes. Safer from yourself only if you back up — every guide includes an offsite backup step, costed at $0.60/mo.
How much maintenance does a server need?
Roughly 30 minutes a month for updates and a backup check. For most apps here that means pulling a new image and restarting.
Which app should I self-host first?
Vaultwarden — one small container, $4/mo, and the payoff is immediate. Our easy-rated guides are the best on-ramp.
One tested guide a month, prices included.
What we deployed, what it actually cost, and what changed since last month's price check.