Here’s a summary of the different ways to create your own online services so that you can compare them more easily:
| Method | How easy to set up? | Technical knowledge required | How many services available? | Flexibility and customisation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Managed Hosting | Easy | None | Smallest choice | Least flexible |
| Self-Hosting OSes | Moderately difficult | Some | Good choice | Some flexibility |
| Manual Operation | Very difficult | A lot | Largest choice | Maximum flexibility |
Which one should I use?
It depends on what your skills and priorities are. Managed hosting is by far the best option for people new to running their own online services, so if you’re not sure start there.