this post was submitted on 30 Jan 2026
81 points (97.6% liked)
Selfhosted
60210 readers
951 users here now
A place to share alternatives to popular online services that can be self-hosted without giving up privacy or locking you into a service you don't control.
Rules:
-
Be civil.
-
No spam.
-
Posts are to be related to self-hosting.
-
Don't duplicate the full text of your blog or readme if you're providing a link.
-
Submission headline should match the article title.
-
No trolling.
-
Promotion posts require active participation, with an account that is at least 30 days old. F/LOSS without a paywall has exceptions, with requirements. See the rules link for details.
Resources:
- selfh.st Newsletter and index of selfhosted software and apps
- awesome-selfhosted software
- awesome-sysadmin resources
- Self-Hosted Podcast from Jupiter Broadcasting
Any issues on the community? Report it using the report flag.
Questions? DM the mods!
founded 3 years ago
MODERATORS
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
view the rest of the comments
I think the ROI for my server is something like 6-7 years, not counting the electricity it uses. I don't do it to save money but to gain independence, which is good because realistically it will never break even.
I asked a friend who owns a small plane whether it saves money vs. flying commercial, and the answer was no way, it’s for the freedom, convenience, and love of aviation. Realistically, self-hosting is the same, albeit a lot cheaper.
That being said, I wouldn’t mind having a runway in my back yard with a steel building to store a small plane, although the stakes are lower if you forget to maintain your server.