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Self-host SearXNG

updated Sep 2026prices checked · Jul 2026Install verified on Ubuntu 26.04 · Sep 2026 · how we test
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A metasearch engine that sends your query to many search services and merges the results, without tracking or profiling its users. Run a private instance for yourself or a public one for others, and choose which engines it queries.

Key facts

CategorySearch engine
LicenseAGPL-3.0
StackPython, Flask
Min RAM512 MB
Official imageyes
Measured idle RAM106 MB
Difficulty
Sourcegithub.com/searxng/searxng (opens in new tab)
Websitedocs.searxng.org (opens in new tab)

What you need

  • Any VPS with at least 512 MB of RAM
  • A domain you control — most self-hosted setups need HTTPS in front of them
  • Under an hour if you've used Docker before
Where to host itaffiliate disclosure
Hetzner Cloudrun it on
From $23.59/mo · 2 vCPU / 4 GB / 80 GB · EU + US
Get Hetzner Cloud (opens in new tab)
Kamaterafree trial
From $4/mo · 1 vCPU / 1 GB / 20 GB · US + EU + Asia
Start free on Kamatera → (opens in new tab)
DigitalOceanalso works on
From $6/mo · 1 vCPU / 1 GB / 25 GB · US + EU + Asia
Deploy on DigitalOcean → (opens in new tab)

Paid link — we earn a commission if you shop through it.

Install

Run these commands on your server:

# SearXNG — official Compose template (docs.searxng.org → Installation container → Compose instancing)
mkdir -p searxng/core-config && cd searxng
curl -fsSL -O https://raw.githubusercontent.com/searxng/searxng/master/container/docker-compose.yml \
  -O https://raw.githubusercontent.com/searxng/searxng/master/container/.env.example
cp .env.example .env
docker compose up -d
# SearXNG + Valkey; edit core-config/settings.yml to pick engines  →  http://SERVER_IP:8080
vps picksBest VPS for self-hostingbenchmarked quarterly · re-priced monthly

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