Self-Hosted
Running services on infrastructure you control rather than relying on third-party providers.
Also known as: Self-hosting, Home lab, Personal server
Category: Concepts
Tags: technologies, privacy, independence, infrastructure, controls
Explanation
Self-hosting means running applications and services on infrastructure you control (your own server, home lab, or VPS) rather than relying on third-party SaaS providers. Examples include: hosting your own email server, running a personal cloud (Nextcloud), self-hosted note-taking, password managers, and communication tools. Benefits of self-hosting: full data control (your server, your data), privacy (no third-party access), customization (modify as needed), no vendor lock-in (switch or migrate freely), and cost efficiency (often cheaper at scale). Challenges include: technical expertise required, maintenance burden (updates, security, backups), reliability responsibility (no SLA, you're the support), and initial setup complexity. What to consider self-hosting: services with sensitive data (passwords, documents), high-value/frequent-use applications, and anything where vendor continuity concerns you. What might not be worth self-hosting: services requiring high reliability, those with complex requirements, and things where managed services provide significant value. Self-hosting exists on a spectrum: from fully managed VPS to bare metal in your home. For knowledge workers, self-hosting offers: data sovereignty, customization freedom, and independence - balanced against the time and expertise required to maintain it.
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