How to Self-Host Immich on Contabo (2026 Guide)

Immich is an open-source self-hosted photo and video backup solution, perfect for those who want to regain control of their media. In this guide, we will walk you through installing Immich on a Contabo VPS. Contabo offers an affordable VPS starting at 5.99 EUR/month, which provides a solid foundation to host your applications.

Why Choose Contabo for Self-Hosting Immich?

Contabo provides reliable infrastructure and easy-to-use services, making it a popular choice among developers and homelabbers. It offers:

• Competitive pricing
• Good performance
• A user-friendly control panel
• High storage options, which are ideal for media libraries

Setting Up Your Contabo VPS

Step 1: Provision Your VPS

1. Visit Contabo’s site and choose the VPS plan that best fits your needs. The basic plan at 5.99 EUR/month is usually sufficient for a personal Immich setup.
2. Select your operating system (Ubuntu 22.04 LTS is recommended).
3. Complete the purchase and wait for your VPS credentials via email.

Step 2: Access Your VPS

Use SSH to connect to your VPS. Open a terminal and run:

ssh root@your_vps_ip

Replace your_vps_ip with the actual IP address of your VPS.

Step 3: Update Your System

Run the following commands to ensure your VPS is up-to-date:

apt update && apt upgrade -y

Step 4: Install Docker

Immich runs in a Docker container. You can install Docker with the following commands:

apt install apt-transport-https ca-certificates curl software-properties-common -y
curl -fsSL https://download.docker.com/linux/debian/gpg | apt-key add -
add-apt-repository "deb [arch=amd64] https://download.docker.com/linux/debian $(lsb_release -cs) stable"
apt update
apt install docker-ce -y

Step 5: Install Docker Compose

Docker Compose is needed to define and run multi-container Docker applications:

apt install docker-compose -y

Deploying Immich

Step 6: Clone the Immich Repository

Clone the official Immich repository:

git clone https://github.com/alexeevdv/immich.git
cd immich

Step 7: Configure Environment Variables

Copy the example environment file:

cp .env.example .env

Edit the .env file to set your configurations:

nano .env

Ensure you set the database and server information correctly.

Step 8: Start Immich Services

Start the Immich application using Docker Compose with the following command:

docker-compose up -d

This command pulls the necessary Docker images and creates the containers needed for Immich to function.

Step 9: Access Immich

Once all services are running, you should be able to access your Immich instance by navigating to http://your_vps_ip in your web browser.

FAQs

1. What is Immich?
Immich is a self-hosted solution focused on storing and managing your personal photos and videos. Unlike proprietary platforms, it allows users to maintain control over their media library, ensuring privacy and security of their data. It supports features such as media auto-uploading, organization, and sharing, making it a comprehensive tool for individuals seeking a self-hosted media library.

2. Is self-hosting Immich safe?
Yes, self-hosting Immich can be secure if you follow best practices, including setting up a firewall, using strong passwords, and implementing SSL for secure connections. Make sure you regularly maintain your VPS and update software components to safeguard against vulnerabilities. Always refer to the community resources like r/selfhosted for updated security practices.

3. Can I use Contabo for other applications?
Absolutely! Contabo’s VPS solutions are versatile and can be used to self-host a variety of applications, including web servers, game servers, or other open-source software. Its performance and pricing make it suitable for different projects, enabling you to scale your homelab or development environment as you grow.

For a full VPS comparison, visit our full VPS comparison.

Now that you’ve set up Immich on your Contabo VPS, you’re equipped to manage your media library effectively. Happy self-hosting!