Glossary
What is self-hosting?
Self-hosting means running software on your own computer or server instead of using the vendor's hosted service. You control the data, configuration and costs, and take on setup and maintenance. Many developer and AI tools offer a self-hosted option alongside a hosted one.
Hosted vs self-hosted
| Hosted | Self-hosted | |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | Sign up | Install and configure |
| Maintenance | Vendor | You |
| Data | Vendor's servers | Yours |
| Cost | Subscription | Your infrastructure, often a one-time licence |
| Customisation | Limited | High |
Typical setups
- On your own computer, for tools you use personally.
- On a small cloud server or container platform.
- Inside your company's infrastructure.
Many self-hosted AI tools let you bring your own API key for the models they use.
Who it suits
Technical founders, teams with data or compliance needs, and people who prefer one-time costs to subscriptions. Directories like selfh.st list self-hosted software for this audience.
Example
A founder runs a self-hosted analytics tool on a small server for a few dollars a month, keeping visitor data in her own database rather than a third party's.
FAQ
Is self-hosting cheaper?
Often for running costs, but count your time for setup and upkeep.
Is self-hosted software more secure?
It can be, if you maintain it; unpatched self-hosted software is a risk.
Do I need a server to self-host?
Not always; some tools run on your own computer.
What does it take to self-host a typical web app?
A server or container platform, a database, a domain and time for updates and backups.