How to Self-Host Homarr on a VPS (Complete Guide)

Homarr is a lightweight self-hosted application dashboard that allows users to easily manage and launch their self-hosted apps. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to self-host Homarr on a Virtual Private Server (VPS) by using Docker. This guide is ideal for developers and homelabbers looking to customize their setup.

Prerequisites

Before you start, ensure you have the following:

1. VPS Access: You will need a VPS with at least 1GB of RAM. Providers like Contabo VPS (5.99 EUR/mo), Hetzner Cloud (4.15 EUR/mo), DigitalOcean (6 USD/mo), Vultr (6 USD/mo), or Linode (5 USD/mo) are recommended.
2. Docker Installed: Make sure Docker and Docker Compose are installed on your server. You can follow the installation guide here.

Step 1: Setting Up Your VPS

1. Login to your VPS: Access your VPS using SSH.

   ssh your-username@your-vps-ip

2. Update your system: It’s important to use the latest software versions.

   sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

3. Install Docker (if not installed):

   sudo apt install docker.io -y
   sudo systemctl start docker
   sudo systemctl enable docker

4. Install Docker Compose (if not installed):

   sudo apt install docker-compose -y

Step 2: Create Homarr Directory

1. Create a directory for Homarr:

   mkdir ~/homarr
   cd ~/homarr

2. Create a docker-compose.yml file:

   nano docker-compose.yml

3. Add the following configuration:

   version: '3.3'
   services:
     homarr:
       image: homarr/homarr
       container_name: homarr
       ports:
         - "7575:7575"
       volumes:
         - ./config:/app/config
       restart: unless-stopped

4. Save and exit the editor.

Step 3: Launching Homarr

1. Start Homarr using Docker Compose:

   docker-compose up -d

2. Verify if Homarr is running:

   docker ps

   Look for homarr in the container list.

Step 4: Accessing Homarr

1. Open your web browser and navigate to:

   http://your-vps-ip:7575

2. Follow the initial setup instructions on the web UI to configure your Homarr dashboard.

Comparison of VPS Providers

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Homarr and why should I self-host it?

Homarr is an application dashboard that allows you to manage and launch various self-hosted applications from a single interface. Self-hosting Homarr gives you complete control over your data and customization options. It provides a tailored experience for developers and homelabbers who want a centralized gateway to their self-hosted applications.

2. Do I need to have prior experience to self-host Homarr on a VPS?

While having a background in server management and Docker can be beneficial, this guide provides a straightforward step-by-step process that is easy to follow. Even those with minimal experience can successfully set it up. The key is to follow the instructions carefully and ensure each step is completed correctly.

3. Can I customize Homarr once it’s installed?

Yes, Homarr is designed to be customizable. Once installed, you can expand your dashboard by adding custom links, apps, and themes to match your preferences. The Homarr documentation provides guidance on further customization options which can enhance your experience and functionality.

For further reading, check out the full VPS comparison. Happy self-hosting!