Validate Docker Compose Before You Deploy
Use docker compose config to catch broken variables, invalid YAML, and unsafe overrides before your self-hosted stack goes down.
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#self-hosting
80 articles
Authentik vs Authelia vs Keycloak: Self-Hosted SSO in 2026
Authentik, Authelia, and Keycloak solve different identity problems. Compare setup, protocols, access control, and pick the right self-hosted SSO.
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Encrypt Docker Compose Secrets With SOPS and age
Keep Docker Compose secrets in Git without committing plaintext. Set up SOPS and age for a small, auditable self-hosted deployment workflow.
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Docker Compose Profiles: Stop Starting Every Homelab Service
Use Docker Compose profiles to keep optional homelab tools out of your default stack, then start exactly what you need with one command.
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IPv4 vs IPv6-Only VPS for Self-Hosting
Should you save money with an IPv6-only VPS? Compare IPv4, IPv6-only, and dual-stack hosting before exposing your self-hosted apps.
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Sign Docker Images With Cosign: A Homelab Guide
Stop trusting container tags blindly. Sign and verify Docker images with Cosign so your homelab deploys artifacts you can actually identify.
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Self-Host Karakeep: The AI Bookmark Manager That Replaced My 500 Open Tabs
Karakeep (formerly Hoarder) is a self-hosted bookmark manager with automatic AI tagging, full-text search, and browser extensions. Deploy it with Docker in 5 minutes.
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Self-Hosted Monitoring Showdown: Uptime Kuma vs Beszel vs Grafana vs Netdata (2026)
I ran all four monitoring tools side by side for two months. Here's which one you should actually self-host — and when you need more than one.
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Ansible for Self-Hosters: Automate Your Entire Homelab
Stop SSH'ing into servers to run the same commands. Learn how to use Ansible to automate server setup, Docker deployments, and security hardening — all from one playbook.
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Self-Host Audiobookshelf: Ditch Audible and Own Your Audiobooks
Self-host Audiobookshelf with Docker in 10 minutes. Ditch Audible subscriptions, stream audiobooks and podcasts from your own server. Full 2026 setup guide.
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Pi-hole vs AdGuard Home: Which DNS Ad Blocker Should You Self-Host in 2026?
I ran both Pi-hole and AdGuard Home for 6 months on the same network. Here's the honest truth about features, performance, and which one actually blocks more ads.
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Docker Network Security for Self-Hosters: Isolation, Firewalls, and Real-World Setup
Most self-hosters run every container on the default bridge network. Here's why that's risky — and how to properly isolate your apps with Docker networks, internal zones, and firewall rules.
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Self-Host Watchtower: Automatic Docker Container Updates on Autopilot
Stop manually checking for Docker updates. Set up Watchtower to auto-update your containers, with sane exclusions so only safe services update unattended.
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Docker vs Podman for Self-Hosting: Is It Time to Switch in 2026?
I ran my entire homelab on Podman for 6 months after 5 years on Docker. Here's what's better, what's worse, and whether you should care.
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Authelia + LLDAP: Self-Hosted SSO That Doesn't Weigh a Ton
Authentik is great, but sometimes you want something lighter. Here's how to set up Authelia with LLDAP as your auth gateway — no bloated dependencies, no headache.
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Self-Host Penpot: The Open-Source Figma Alternative That's Actually Ready
Penpot is the open-source design and prototyping platform that's been quietly replacing Figma for self-hosters. Here's how to deploy it with Docker Compose in under 10 minutes.
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CasaOS vs Umbrel vs YunoHost: The Home Server OS Showdown (2026)
Three ways to turn a dusty machine into a self-hosted powerhouse. I tested CasaOS, Umbrel, and YunoHost for months — here's who wins and why you probably already know which one fits.
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Linkwarden vs LinkAce vs Linkding: Best Self-Hosted Bookmark Manager 2026
I tested Linkwarden, LinkAce, and Linkding for months to find the best self-hosted bookmark manager. One won for daily use. Another for power users. Here's the honest comparison.
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Self-Host Dockge: The Docker Compose UI That Won't Steal Your Morning
Dockge is a Docker Compose management UI from the creator of Uptime Kuma. Set it up in 2 minutes, manage stacks visually, and stop SSHing into your server to edit YAML files.
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Caddy vs Nginx Proxy Manager vs Traefik: Which Reverse Proxy for Self-Hosting in 2026?
I've used all three reverse proxies extensively. Here's my honest comparison of Caddy, Nginx Proxy Manager, and Traefik — with real configs, gotchas, and a clear winner for different use cases.
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Self-Host ntfy: Push Notifications via curl for Your Homelab
Self-host ntfy to send push notifications to your phone from any script or cron job using nothing but curl. A quick Docker setup for your homelab.
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Overseerr vs Jellyseerr vs Seerr: Best Media Request Manager for Your Homelab in 2026
Stop letting friends text you what movie they want to watch. Three self-hosted request managers — overseerr, jellyseerr, and the new seerr — compared for Plex, Jellyfin, and Emby users.
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Self-Host Mastodon: The Complete Guide to Running Your Own Fediverse Server
Run your own Mastodon instance on a VPS. Complete guide covering Docker Compose setup, federation, S3 storage, moderation, and the real costs of hosting a Fediverse server in 2026.
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Stirling PDF: Self-Host 50+ PDF Tools Without Uploading Files Anywhere
Self-host Stirling PDF on your VPS and get merge, split, compress, OCR, and convert tools — all offline. 77K GitHub stars and one Docker command.
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Porkbun vs Cloudflare vs Namecheap (2026): Which Domain Registrar Should Self-Hosters Use?
I compared Porkbun, Cloudflare, and Namecheap for domain registration. Prices, DNS management, privacy, and hidden fees — one registrar saves you real money.
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Self-Host Headscale: Run Your Own Tailscale Control Server
Tailscale is amazing, but it relies on their cloud coordination server. Headscale lets you own that piece too. Here's how I run my own mesh VPN.
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Self-Host Dozzle: The Docker Log Viewer I Use Before Loki
Self-host Dozzle for real-time Docker logs without running a full logging stack. A quick homelab setup with Compose, security tips, and gotchas.
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Self-Host NetBird: A Mesh VPN That Feels Like Tailscale, But Yours
Self-host NetBird for private homelab access without port forwarding. A practical Docker guide with setup, ACLs, routing, and real gotchas.
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Arcane Docker Management: The Lightweight Portainer Alternative I’d Try First
Arcane gives self-hosters a clean Docker management UI, GitOps deployments, and sane homelab workflows without dragging in enterprise baggage.
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Rootless Docker for Self-Hosting: Less Blast Radius, Same Apps
Run Docker without giving every container root-shaped teeth. A practical rootless Docker setup for self-hosters who want safer VPS and homelab apps.
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Self-Host Renovate for Docker Compose Updates Without the YOLO Button
Watchtower is convenient until it updates the wrong thing at the wrong time. Here's how I use Renovate to get pull requests for Docker Compose updates instead.
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SSH Certificates: The Login Upgrade I Wish I Used Before My Homelab Got Messy
Stop copying SSH public keys to every VPS and homelab box. SSH certificates give you short-lived access, cleaner revocation, and one sane trust model for your servers.
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Self-Host IT-Tools: A Private Browser Toolbox for Everyday Admin Work
Stop pasting JWTs, hashes, and random production snippets into public converter websites. IT-Tools gives you a clean self-hosted toolbox that runs in your browser and takes five minutes to deploy.
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Self-Host SearXNG: Private Search Without Feeding the Ad Machine
I got tired of search pages full of ads, tracking, and AI boxes. Here's how I run SearXNG at home with Docker, sane settings, and a few security guardrails.
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Caddy Client Certificates: The Cheap Private Gate I Put in Front of My Homelab
Password prompts are fine. VPNs are better. But for a few private web apps, Caddy mutual TLS is the tiny security layer I wish I had set up earlier.
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Self-Host Changedetection.io: Monitor Website Changes for Free
Stop manually refreshing pages to check for updates. Self-host Changedetection.io and get alerts when websites change — pricing, docs, job listings, anything.
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Self-Hosted File Sharing: Pingvin Share vs Filebrowser vs Filestash
I tested three self-hosted file sharing tools for months. Pingvin Share is the new hotness, Filebrowser is the reliable workhorse, and Filestash handles the weird edge cases. Here's which one I actually use and why.
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CrowdSec: The Crowd-Powered IPS That Replaced Fail2ban on My Servers
Fail2ban was good. CrowdSec is better. Here's why I switched my entire homelab to this collaborative intrusion prevention system — and how to set it up in 15 minutes.
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Self-Host Shlink: Your Own URL Shortener (Ditch Bitly for Good)
I got tired of Bitly tracking my clicks and charging for features I could run myself. Here's how I set up Shlink in Docker — a self-hosted URL shortener that's fast, private, and actually better.
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Self-Host Your Own Chat Server: Matrix vs Revolt vs Mattermost (2026)
I tested Synapse, Revolt, and Mattermost to replace Discord and Slack on my homelab. Here's what I learned about running your own chat infrastructure — and which one I actually use.
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Tailscale for Self-Hosting: The Easiest Way to Access Your Homelab Remotely
Stop opening ports and messing with complex VPN configs. Tailscale gives you secure, zero-config access to every self-hosted service from anywhere. Here's how I set it up and why I won't go back.
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Self-Host Ollama + Open WebUI: Run Local LLMs on Your Own Server
Run powerful open-source LLMs entirely on your own hardware. No API fees, zero data leaving your server, and it's way easier to set up than you'd think.
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Firefly III vs Actual Budget (2026): Which Self-Hosted Finance App Actually Works?
I ran both Firefly III and Actual Budget for months to track my personal finances. One is incredibly powerful. The other actually made me want to open it every day. Here's my honest comparison.
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Home Assistant: The Self-Hosted Brain Your Smart Home Needs
I ditched Google Home and Alexa after realizing they were recording every conversation in my living room. Here's why Home Assistant is the only smart home platform that respects your privacy — and how to run it in Docker.
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Immich vs PhotoPrism: Which Self-Hosted Photo Library Wins in 2026?
I ran both for 3 months with 50,000 photos. Here's the honest comparison — features, performance, mobile apps, and which one actually replaces Google Photos.
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Portainer: The GUI Docker Deserves (But Doesn't Come With)
Stop memorizing docker commands. Portainer gives you a clean web interface to manage containers, stacks, and volumes. Set it up in 5 minutes.
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Build Your Self-Hosted Productivity Stack: Notes, Bookmarks & Knowledge
Replace Notion, Evernote, and Pocket with these 5 open-source tools. Your notes, bookmarks, and knowledge — fully under your control.
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7 Self-Hosted Tools Trending Right Now (May 2026)
The hottest open-source alternatives gaining traction this month — from AI-powered project management to lightweight documentation tools.
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7 Self-Hosted Tools Solving Real Problems in 2026
Tired of configuration hell? These 7 self-hosted tools actually solve the problems the community complains about — from auto-config dashboards to AI coding assistants that keep your data local.
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13 Self-Hosted Tools You Should Know in 2026
A curated list of the best open-source alternatives to popular SaaS tools. From automation to analytics, deployment to AI — take control of your infrastructure.
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Beszel: Docker Monitoring That Won't Make You Cry
Prometheus gave me migraines. Netdata flooded me with useless graphs. Beszel is the monitoring solution I actually wanted.
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Pangolin : Le Reverse Proxy qui Va Vous Faire Oublier WireGuard et Cloudflare
J'ai passé des heures à configurer WireGuard, des jours à débugger des tunnels qui tombent. Puis j'ai découvert Pangolin.
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Automate Everything With N8N: No-Code Workflows Without Zapier's Price Tag
Self-host N8N and build powerful automations. Connect anything to anything. No coding required. Replace Zapier for a fraction of the cost.
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Track Your Homelab Equipment With Homebox (Before You Forget What You Own)
You have 47 things. You don't remember what half of them are. Homebox is a simple self-hosted inventory manager that fixes this problem.
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Vaultwarden : Votre Coffre-Fort de Mots de Passe Auto-Hébergé
J'ai quitté LastPass après leur fuite de données. Voici pourquoi Vaultwarden (Bitwarden RS) est le meilleur gestionnaire de mots de passe self-hosté — et comment l'installer.
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Self-Host Gotify: Push Notifications Without Google or Apple
Get real-time push notifications from your self-hosted apps without Firebase or APNs. Set up Gotify in Docker and never miss an alert again.
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Manage Your Self-Hosted App Secrets With HashiCorp Vault
Stop scattering API keys in .env files. Set up HashiCorp Vault in Docker to centralize, rotate, and audit every secret your self-hosted apps need.
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Block Every Ad on Your Network: Self-Hosting AdGuard Home
Control your entire network's DNS with AdGuard Home. Block ads everywhere—no browser extensions needed. One setup, whole house protected.
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Homepage Dashboard: The Missing Front Page for Your Homelab
Set up Homepage dashboard to organize all your self-hosted services in one place. Docker-aware, 100+ widgets, no database required. Complete setup guide.
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How to Self-Host WireGuard VPN: Access Your Homelab From Anywhere
Set up your own WireGuard VPN server in Docker. Connect to your homelab securely from your phone, laptop, or anywhere — no paid VPN needed.
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How to Set Up Authentik: SSO for Your Entire Self-Hosted Stack
Stop managing 12 separate logins. Set up Authentik to get single sign-on across all your self-hosted apps — Nextcloud, Grafana, Gitea, and more.
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Self-Host Your Code with Forgejo: Escape GitHub Without Losing Your Sanity
Run your own Git server with Forgejo — the free, community-led Gitea fork. Full guide to setup, migration from GitHub, CI/CD, and why it's worth it.
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Self-Host Your Email with Mailcow: Complete 2026 Guide
Email is hard to self-host. Mailcow makes it bearable. Here's how I run my own mail server (and why you might want to).
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How to Self-Host Uptime Kuma: Free Server and Website Monitoring
Learn how to self-host Uptime Kuma, a beautiful open-source monitoring tool for your servers and websites. Complete Docker setup guide with best practices.
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Self-Host Paperless-ngx: Complete Document Management System Guide
Learn how to self-host Paperless-ngx, a powerful open-source document management system. Complete guide with Docker setup, OCR, and automation.
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How to Backup Your Self-Hosted Apps: Complete Guide to Data Protection
Learn how to properly backup your self-hosted applications with Docker volumes, databases, and off-site strategies. Protect your data from loss.
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How to Self-Host Nextcloud: Your Private Google Drive Alternative
Complete guide to self-hosting Nextcloud with Docker. Build your own cloud storage, calendar, and file sync — no subscription required.
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Docker Compose for Beginners: Everything You Need to Know for Self-Hosting
Learn Docker Compose from scratch. Master multi-container apps, volumes, networks, and deploy your own services with a single command.
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How to Set Up Nginx Proxy Manager: The Easiest Reverse Proxy for Self-Hosters
Set up Nginx Proxy Manager in Docker and manage SSL certificates, domains, and reverse proxies without touching a config file.
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How to Set Up Traefik Reverse Proxy with Docker — Complete Guide
Learn how to configure Traefik reverse proxy for Docker containers with automatic SSL certificates, dashboard access, and production-ready security settings.
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How to Self-Host Immich: The Best Google Photos Alternative
Self-host your photo library with Immich. Complete guide to setting up a Google Photos alternative with Docker, mobile apps, and unlimited storage.
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How to Self-Host Vaultwarden: The Ultimate Bitwarden Alternative
Complete guide to self-hosting Vaultwarden, a lightweight Bitwarden server. Set up your own password manager with Docker in under 30 minutes.
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Best VPS for Self-Hosting in 2026: I Tested 7 Providers (Hetzner Wins)
I ran workloads on Hetzner, Vultr, DigitalOcean, Linode, OVH, Contabo and more. Here's which VPS actually delivers for self-hosters — with real pricing and benchmarks.
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Secure Your VPS in 20 Minutes: The Hardening Checklist I Use on Every Server
SSH keys, UFW firewall, Fail2ban, auto-updates — the exact steps I run on every new VPS before deploying anything. Copy-paste ready.
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Self-Host Everything in 2026: From Zero to Running Apps in 1 Hour
No Linux experience needed. I'll walk you through buying a VPS, installing Docker, setting up SSL, and deploying your first app — all in under an hour.
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Coolify vs CapRover vs Dokku (2026): Which One Should You Actually Use?
I deployed the same app on all three. Coolify is polished, CapRover is flexible, Dokku is minimal. Here's my honest pick after using each for months.
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5 Apps Worth Self-Hosting in 2026 (I Ditched the Cloud for These)
These 5 self-hosted apps replaced Google Photos, Bitwarden, and more for me. Each one took under 10 minutes to deploy. Here's exactly how.
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