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

Immich is an open-source self-hosted photo and video backup solution, perfect for developers and enthusiasts looking to retain control over their media. This guide will walk you through the process of self-hosting Immich on Linode, a great VPS provider offering competitive pricing and performance.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have the following:

Linode Account: Sign up at Linode to create your VPS instance.
Basic Knowledge: Familiarity with SSH, Linux command line, and Docker is recommended.
Linode VPS: A VPS instance running Ubuntu (20.04 or 22.04) with at least 2GB RAM.

Choosing Your Linode Plan

When choosing your Linode instance, consider the following:

Plan Type	Price (EUR/mo)	RAM	CPU Cores	Storage
Nanode	5.00	1 GB	1	25 GB SSD
2GB Link	5.99	2 GB	1	50 GB SSD
4GB Plan	11.99	4 GB	2	80 GB SSD

For self-hosting Immich, the 2GB Link plan at 5.99 EUR/mo is a suitable choice, balancing cost and performance.

Step 1: Set Up Your VPS

Create a Linode instance: Choose the 2GB Link plan from your Linode dashboard.
Access your VPS:
```
ssh root@<your-linode-ip>
```

Step 2: Install Docker

Docker is essential for running Immich easily without worrying about dependencies.

Update your VPS:
```
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
```
Install Docker:
```
sudo apt install -y docker.io
```
Enable and start the Docker service:
```
sudo systemctl enable --now docker
```
Verify the installation:
```
docker --version
```

Step 3: Install Docker Compose

Docker Compose allows us to manage multi-container Docker applications.

Download Docker Compose:

sudo curl -L "https://github.com/docker/compose/releases/latest/download/docker-compose-$(uname -s)-$(uname -m)" -o /usr/local/bin/docker-compose

Make it executable:

sudo chmod +x /usr/local/bin/docker-compose

Verify the installation:
```
docker-compose --version
```

Step 4: Set Up Immich

Create a directory for Immich:
```
mkdir ~/immich && cd ~/immich
```

Create a docker-compose.yml file: Use your preferred text editor:

nano docker-compose.yml

Add the following configuration:

version: '3.3'

services:
  app:
    image: inmich/immich:latest
    ports:
      - "3000:3000"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    environment:
      - DATABASE_URL=sqlite:////app/data/db.sqlite
      - NEXT_PUBLIC_API_URL=http://localhost:3000/api
    restart: always

Run the Immich container:
```
docker-compose up -d
```
Access Immich: Open your web browser and go to http://<your-linode-ip>:3000.

Step 5: Configure Domain (Optional)

If you have a domain, consider pointing it to your Linode instance for easier access. You can use a free DNS provider like Cloudflare or your domain registrar’s DNS settings. Update DNS records to point to your Linode IP address.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Immich?

Immich is a self-hosted photo and video backup solution designed to provide users with the ability to store, organize, and share their media. Built using a modern tech stack, it offers features like image recognition and media sharing, making it an excellent choice for developers and homelabbers who prefer to control their data instead of relying on centralized services.

Can I use a different VPS provider to host Immich?

Yes, while this guide focuses on Linode, you can self-host Immich on any VPS provider that supports Docker. Options like DigitalOcean, Vultr, and Hetzner Cloud are also excellent choices. However, ensure that the VPS meets the hardware and software requirements necessary for running Immich efficiently. You can check our full VPS comparison for available options.

Is Immich secure for storing personal data?

Immich provides basic security features like HTTPS support and the ability to set up authentication. While it is relatively secure, it’s crucial for users to implement additional security measures, such as using a reverse proxy with SSL encryption (e.g., using Nginx or Traefik) and regularly updating the software to protect against vulnerabilities. Always back up your data to avoid loss.

By following this guide, you’ll have your Immich instance up and running on Linode in no time. Enjoy the benefits of self-hosting and regain control over your media!