Paperless-ngx Self-Hosted: What It Costs to Run
Self-hosting Paperless-ngx: which of its four compose files to copy, whether a Raspberry Pi can keep up with OCR, and what a real backup has to include.
Own your stack. Cancel your subscriptions.
Tested, honest guides to running your own servers — real costs, real trade-offs, and the mistakes worth avoiding. Written from actual hardware, not spec sheets.
How Many Containers Does a Self-Hosted App Need?
I counted the services in fifteen self-hosted projects' own compose files. Seven install as a single container, and six reasons explain every extra one.
Authentik SSO Self-Hosted: Worth It for a Household?
Authentik self-hosted is three containers now, not four. The compose stack, forward auth in front of an app with no login, and when you do not need it.
Cloudflare Tunnel with Docker: What It Costs You
Cloudflare Tunnel with Docker: the compose file that works, why no port forwarding is needed, and the two trade-offs the free guides leave out.
Docker Volume Backup: Copy It, Then Prove It Restores
How to back up Docker volumes properly: reach a named volume from the host, dump databases instead of copying them, and prove the restore actually works.
Docker for Self-Hosting: Compose Files, Volumes, Updates
Docker for self-hosting explained: what a compose file does, where volumes live, how to publish ports safely, and how to update containers without breakage.
Jellyfin Setup: Docker, Transcoding, Remote Access
Jellyfin setup on Docker: the compose file that works, the hardware choice that decides everything, file naming, and how to reach it from outside safely.
Nginx Proxy Manager: The Easy Reverse Proxy Setup (2026)
A reverse proxy puts your self-hosted apps on real domains with real HTTPS. Nginx Proxy Manager does it from a web UI — setup, gotchas, and when Caddy wins.
fail2ban and the Server Hardening That Actually Matters
Server hardening for self-hosters: what actually attacks your box, how to set up fail2ban properly, and the Docker trap that makes your firewall a decoration.
How to Self-Host on a $5 VPS: A Step-by-Step 2026 Guide
Self-host on a $5 VPS from zero: pick a provider, lock the server down, install Docker, and get your first service online with HTTPS in about an hour.
CMR vs SMR: Which NAS Hard Drives Are Safe in 2026
CMR vs SMR in plain English: why SMR drives wreck RAID rebuilds, which WD Red models to avoid, and the NAS drives worth buying in 2026.
How to Connect a Domain to Your Self-Hosted Server (2026)
A domain name for self-hosting made simple: where to buy one cheap, how DNS records work, and how to point it at a VPS or a home server with dynamic DNS.
Self-Hosting Home Assistant: Local Smart Home Control in 2026
Self-host Home Assistant for a private, local smart home in 2026: which hardware to buy, HAOS vs Docker, Zigbee vs Matter, and the SD-card mistake to avoid.
Cloud Storage Cost: Is Self-Hosting Cheaper Than Google Drive or Dropbox?
Cloud storage cost adds up fast: Google One, iCloud, and Dropbox bill you forever. Does self-hosting actually save money? The honest 5-year math for 2026.
Best Home Server OS in 2026: Proxmox vs TrueNAS vs Unraid vs Plain Linux
The best home server OS in 2026 depends on your goal: Proxmox for VMs, TrueNAS for storage, Unraid for ease, plain Linux for control. Practical guide.
Self-Hosting Backup Strategy: The 3-2-1 Rule in Practice (2026)
Self-hosting backup made practical: the 3-2-1 rule, which tools to use (restic, Borg), cheap offsite storage, and why testing your restore matters most.
Pi-hole Setup: Block Ads on Every Device (2026)
Pi-hole setup in about 15 minutes: block ads and trackers for every device on your network at the DNS level, on Docker or a Raspberry Pi. Current v6 steps.
Home Server Power Consumption in 2026: What It Really Costs to Run 24/7
Home server power consumption explained for 2026: real watt and dollar numbers for a Pi, mini PC, and NAS — plus how to cut the cost of running one 24/7.
Nextcloud: Self-Host Your Own Google Drive (2026 Guide)
Nextcloud is a self-hosted Google Drive and Dropbox replacement: file sync, calendar, contacts, and browser-based office, all on your own server.
Raspberry Pi Self-Hosting in 2026: What You Can (and Can’t) Actually Run
Raspberry Pi self-hosting in 2026: what a Pi 5 can actually run, what it can't, real power and cost numbers, and when a mini PC is the smarter buy.
Immich: The Self-Hosted Google Photos Alternative (2026)
Immich is an open-source photo platform you host yourself: automatic phone backup, AI search, and face recognition, with nothing sent to Google.
Vaultwarden: Self-Host a Free Bitwarden Server (2026)
Vaultwarden is a lightweight, Bitwarden-compatible password server you run yourself. Free premium features, ~30 MB of RAM, and a 15-minute Docker setup.
How to Set Up Tailscale for Self-Hosting (Step-by-Step 2026 Guide)
Tailscale self-hosting made simple: a step-by-step 2026 guide to accessing your home server securely from anywhere — no open ports, no public IP, free.
Jellyfin vs Plex 2026: The Honest Comparison
Jellyfin vs Plex in 2026 — after Plex's price hikes and remote streaming paywall, which media server wins? An honest comparison for self-hosters.
Self-Hosting: What It Is and How to Start in 2026
Self-hosting explained in plain English: what it means to run your own apps, why people do it, what you can realistically host, and how to start with one.
Does Self-Hosting Actually Save Money? An Honest 2026 Cost Breakdown
does self-hosting save money in 2026? An honest cost breakdown including hardware, electricity, and time — plus when it is not worth it.
10 Self-Hosted Apps That Replace Expensive SaaS Subscriptions in 2026
10 self-hosted apps that replace expensive SaaS subscriptions in 2026 — Nextcloud, Immich, Vaultwarden and more. Cut your monthly bills and own your data.
Best NAS for Plex in 2026: Synology vs UGREEN — Honest Buyer’s Guide
Best NAS for Plex in 2026 — Synology DS224+ vs UGREEN DXP2800 head-to-head, plus budget and power-user picks. Includes hardware transcoding facts.
Cloudways Review 2026: I’ve Hosted My Blog Here for 6 Months — Honest Take
Honest Cloudways review based on 6 months of real use — pricing, performance, support, and whether managed hosting is worth $14/month.
Hetzner vs Contabo vs Vultr (2026): Which VPS Is Best for Self-Hosting?
Hetzner vs Contabo vs Vultr in 2026 — I compare pricing, performance, and reliability of the three best VPS providers for self-hosting.
Best Mini PC for Self-Hosting in 2026: 5 Tested Picks Under $500
The best mini PC for self hosting in 2026 — I tested 5 picks under $500 for Docker, Plex, and Proxmox. Honest specs and prices.