Best apps for Self-hosted
71 apps
Top Self-hosted apps ranked by the community
Coolify is an open source platform as a service you install on your own servers to deploy apps, databases and services. It builds apps from Git repositories, Dockerfiles or Docker Compose files, handles the reverse proxy and automatic SSL, and creates pull request previews. A catalog of one-click services covers common tools. Self-hosting is free; the paid Coolify Cloud hosts the control panel for you.
9 Coolify alternativesPros
- Free and open source, running on your own servers
- Deploys from Git, Dockerfiles or Docker Compose with automatic SSL
- One-click catalog for databases and common self-hosted tools
Cons
- You remain responsible for servers, backups and security
- Troubleshooting failed builds can require Docker and Linux knowledge
Cost / LicenseFreemiumOpen sourceCategoriesPlatformsDokploy is an open source platform as a service for deploying applications and databases on your own servers. It builds from Git, Dockerfiles, buildpacks or Docker Compose, manages domains and certificates through Traefik, schedules database backups and can spread workloads across nodes with Docker Swarm. Templates cover popular self-hosted tools. The core is Apache-2.0 licensed, and a managed Dokploy Cloud exists.
8 Dokploy alternativesPros
- Apache-2.0 open source core you can run on your own servers
- Builds from Git, Dockerfiles, buildpacks or Docker Compose
- Scheduled database backups and multi-node setups with Docker Swarm
Cons
- Self-hosting leaves maintenance and security to you
- Younger project with a smaller community than more established tools
Cost / LicenseFreemiumOpen sourceCategoriesPlatformsSupabase is an open source backend platform built on Postgres. Each project gets a full Postgres database with auto-generated REST and GraphQL APIs, authentication, file storage, realtime subscriptions, edge functions and vector support for AI applications. It can be used as a hosted service with a free tier or self-hosted with Docker, and appeals to developers who want SQL rather than a NoSQL backend.
8 Supabase alternativesPros
- Full Postgres database with SQL, extensions and row-level security
- Auto-generated APIs, auth, storage and realtime in one platform
- Open source and self-hostable with Docker
Cons
- Free-tier projects are paused after a period of inactivity
- Self-hosting is more involved to set up than the managed service
- Row-level security policies take time to get right
Cost / LicenseFreemiumOpen sourceCategoriesPlatformsAppwrite is an open source backend server that bundles authentication, databases, file storage, serverless functions, messaging and realtime events behind one consistent API, with SDKs for web, mobile and Flutter. Since 2025 it also hosts websites and web apps through Appwrite Sites. It can be self-hosted with Docker or used through Appwrite Cloud, which has a free plan.
8 Appwrite alternativesPros
- Auth, database, storage, functions and messaging behind one API
- Open source and straightforward to self-host with Docker
- SDKs for web, mobile and Flutter apps
Cons
- Database queries are more limited than raw SQL
- Self-hosted upgrades between versions can require careful migrations
Cost / LicenseFreemiumOpen sourceCategoriesPlatformsPocketBase is an open source backend that ships as a single Go executable with an embedded SQLite database. It provides realtime subscriptions, user authentication including OAuth2, file storage and an admin dashboard, and can be extended in Go or JavaScript. It suits small projects and prototypes that need a backend running in minutes. It has not reached version 1.0, so breaking changes can still happen.
7 PocketBase alternativesPros
- The whole backend ships as one executable that runs in minutes
- Embedded SQLite with realtime, auth and an admin dashboard
- Can be extended in Go or JavaScript
Cons
- Not yet at version 1.0, so breaking changes can still happen
- Single-server SQLite design limits horizontal scaling
- No official managed hosting, so you run and back up the server yourself
Cost / LicenseFreeOpen sourceCategoriesPlatformsConvex is a backend platform for app developers in which the database schema, queries, mutations and server functions are all written in TypeScript. Queries are reactive, so connected clients update automatically when data changes, with no manual caching. It also includes file storage, scheduled jobs, search and authentication. Convex Cloud has a free tier, and the backend can be self-hosted under the FSL license.
8 Convex alternativesPros
- Schema, queries and functions are all written in TypeScript
- Reactive queries update clients automatically, with no caching code
- Scheduled jobs, search, file storage and auth included
Cons
- Its own data model differs from SQL, which makes migrating away harder
- The FSL license is source available, not open source
- TypeScript-centric, less suited to teams using other backend languages
Cost / LicenseFreemiumSource availableCategoriesPlatformsNhost is an open source backend platform that combines a dedicated Postgres database, an instant GraphQL API powered by Hasura with realtime subscriptions, authentication, file storage and serverless functions. It also offers AI tooling such as vector embeddings. Projects run on Nhost Cloud, which has a free starter plan, or can be self-hosted, and a CLI supports local development.
8 Nhost alternativesPros
- Dedicated Postgres database for each project
- Instant GraphQL API with realtime subscriptions through Hasura
- Open source, with a CLI for local development and self-hosting
Cons
- GraphQL-first approach adds a learning curve for REST-oriented teams
- Smaller community and ecosystem than Supabase or Firebase
Cost / LicenseFreemiumOpen sourceCategoriesPlatformsXata is a Postgres platform built around copy-on-write branching, which lets teams create full copies of large databases in seconds for previews, testing and development. It adds scale-to-zero compute, data anonymization and zero-downtime schema migrations. The platform is open source under Apache-2.0 for self-hosting on Kubernetes, and is also available as the managed Xata Cloud with a free trial.
8 Xata alternativesPros
- Copy-on-write branches clone large databases in seconds
- Built-in data anonymization for safer test environments
- Zero-downtime schema migrations and scale-to-zero compute
Cons
- Self-hosting requires Kubernetes, which is heavy for small teams
- Focused on Postgres, without the auth or file storage of a full backend
- The cloud offers a free trial rather than a permanent free tier
Cost / LicenseFreemiumOpen sourceCategoriesPlatformsPlex is a media platform that organizes your movies, shows, music and photos with Plex Media Server and streams them to apps on phones, TVs, consoles and browsers. It fetches artwork and metadata, transcodes when needed and offers free ad-supported movies and live TV. Core features are free, while a Plex Pass subscription unlocks extras such as hardware-accelerated transcoding and remote playback of your own media.
9 Plex alternativesPros
- Polished apps on phones, TVs, consoles and browsers
- Rich artwork and metadata for movies, shows and music
- Free ad-supported movies and live TV alongside your own library
Cons
- Remote playback of your media and hardware transcoding need Plex Pass
- Requires a Plex account, with sign-in depending on Plex servers
- Ad-supported content clutters the interface
Cost / LicenseFreemiumProprietaryCategoriesJellyfin is a free, open source media server for hosting your own movies, TV shows, music, books and photos and streaming them to web, mobile, TV and desktop clients. Forked from Emby in 2018, it has no premium tier or tracking: hardware transcoding, live TV and DVR, multiple users and plugins are all included. The server runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Docker and many NAS devices.
9 Jellyfin alternativesPros
- Completely free, with hardware transcoding and DVR included
- Open source, with no tracking and no premium tier
- Runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Docker and many NAS devices
Cons
- Client apps are less polished than Plex or Emby on some devices
- Remote access needs manual setup such as a reverse proxy or VPN
Cost / LicenseFreeOpen sourceCategoriesEmby is a media server that organizes your movies, shows, music and photos and streams them to apps on the web, mobile devices, smart TVs and consoles. It supports multiple user profiles with parental controls, automatic metadata and live TV. The server and basic apps are free, while an Emby Premiere subscription unlocks extras such as hardware transcoding and DVR. Emby moved away from open source in 2018.
7 Emby alternativesPros
- Streams to web, mobile, smart TVs and consoles
- Multiple profiles with parental controls and live TV
- Automatic metadata keeps libraries well organized
Cons
- Hardware transcoding and DVR require an Emby Premiere subscription
- No longer open source, unlike its fork Jellyfin
Cost / LicenseFreemiumProprietaryCategories
