If you are moderately technical and want to create your own online services, there are special Self-Hosting Operating Systems you can install on a computer or VPS which let you easily set up your own services through a graphical interface.
Installing these OSes is the hardest part as it has to be done manually, but once it’s installed the OS’s interface makes setting up your own online services much quicker and easier, and that’s why it’s only a moderate difficulty option. There are lots of online services you can install through these OSes, and it is worth browsing the options for each OS in their app catalogues.
Which Self-Hosting OSes are available?
You can find out more about these special OSes below. The websites give details and instructions about the OSes, and their app catalogues list which internet services they let you set up:
| Self-Hosting OS | Website | App Catalogue |
|---|---|---|
| YunoHost – The most popular self-hosting OS | YunoHost ⧉ | YunoHost app catalogue ⧉ |
| FreedomBox – The first self-hosting OS | FreedomBox ⧉ | FreedomBox app catalogue ⧉ |
| LibreServer – A low-key alternative self-hosting OS | LibreServer ⧉ | LibreServer app catalogue ⧉ |
Which online services can I run via these OSes?
Check the app catalogues for each OS to see what services are available on it. Also bear in mind different services will have different technical requirements, so you might need a beefier computer or VPS to run some of them.
If the installation is the most difficult part, can I get someone else to install it for me?
Yes! If you know someone techy they can help you install the OS, and once that’s out of the way self-hosting OSes become much easier to use.
Bear in mind though if there are any problems after installation you may need their help again, so try to choose someone who can help in the future too.
Which kind of computers can I use self-hosting OSes on?
The OS’s own website will have info on this, but generally they work on PCs and also low-power single board computers. Some services may require more powerful hardware than others.
What is a VPS?
A VPS (Virtual Private Server) is a special service available from internet hosting companies where you can rent your own computer server in the company’s data centre. This makes it very easy to set up an internet server that runs 24/7, as it’s being maintained and watched by professionals.
At a technical level a VPS is not a physically separate computer, hence the word “virtual”, and instead many VPSes will run on one big computer in a data centre. However, it is set up in such a way that in practice each VPS owner can run their own VPS as if it was a separate computer, controlling it via the internet.
Can I run my own services on a computer that is physically in my own home?
Yes, you can also use self-hosting OSes on machines that are physically under your control. This is sometimes known as a “homelab”.
Some services can be used offline, for example to stream your music or video collection over your local wi-fi network to other devices in your home, and are easier to set up as they don’t require an internet connection.
If you want to run an online service on a home computer, for example to stream your music collection while you’re travelling, this may require a bit more work on your part as this may not be possible through some internet providers. Ask your internet provider whether running a home server is possible through them, and if so how it can be done. One common stumbling block is if your home internet connection’s IP address changes, as it makes outside connections more difficult.
If you mainly want to run your own online internet services rather than local offline services, it may be easier to use a VPS as it doesn’t require any extra work on your part to maintain the machine or set up the internet connection.