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

Immich is a self-hosted alternative to proprietary photo and video storage solutions. By following this guide, you can easily install Immich on a Vultr VPS, allowing you to have full control over your media assets. In this detailed tutorial, we’ll go through the steps to set up Immich from scratch on a Vultr instance.

Why Choose Vultr for Self-Hosting Immich?

Vultr is known for its straightforward interface, quick deployment times, and competitive pricing. Here is a comparison of five popular VPS providers for self-hosting Immich:

For a full VPS comparison, check out our full VPS comparison.

Prerequisites

Before you begin the installation process, ensure you have the following:

• A Vultr account with an active VPS instance.
• Basic knowledge of SSH and command-line interfaces.
• An SSH client (like PuTTY or terminal on macOS/Linux).

Step 1: Create a Vultr VPS Instance

1. Log in to your Vultr account.
2. Click on “Deploy Now”.
3. Select the desired server location close to your audience.
4. Choose the “Cloud Compute” option and select the 8GB plan (6 USD/mo).
5. Choose an operating system—Ubuntu 22.04 LTS is recommended for compatibility.
6. Add any SSH keys you may want, then proceed to deploy.

Step 2: Access Your VPS

Use SSH to connect to your Vultr instance. Use the following command in your terminal:

ssh root@<your-vultr-ip>

Replace <your-vultr-ip> with the IP address of your Vultr instance.

Step 3: Update and Install Dependencies

Once logged in, update your package list and install Docker and Docker Compose, which are required for running Immich.

apt update && apt upgrade -y
apt install -y curl
curl -fsSL https://get.docker.com -o get-docker.sh
sh get-docker.sh
systemctl start docker
systemctl enable docker

For Docker Compose, execute:

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

Verify the installation:

docker --version
docker-compose --version

Step 4: Clone the Immich Repository

You need to clone the Immich GitHub repository to your local machine.

git clone https://github.com/immich-app/immich.git
cd immich

Step 5: Configure Environment Variables

Create a .env file by copying the example file provided:

cp .env.example .env

Edit the .env file to set your database and application parameters. You can do this using nano or vim:

nano .env

Make sure to set the DB_URL and adjust other configurations to match your setup (e.g., email service).

Step 6: Deploy Immich

Now that all configurations are set, you can deploy Immich using Docker Compose:

docker-compose up -d

This command will download the necessary images and run the services in the background.

Step 7: Access Immich

After a few moments, you can access Immich through your browser by going to http://<your-vultr-ip>:3000. Complete the setup wizard, and you’re ready to use Immich for your media storage needs.

FAQs

How secure is self-hosting Immich on Vultr?

Self-hosting Immich on Vultr can be secure, provided you follow best practices. Ensure your VPS is regularly updated, use strong SSH keys for access, and consider securing your application with SSL (using Let’s Encrypt). Additionally, setting up a firewall on your VPS can help block unwanted traffic and enhance your security posture.

What are the advantages of using Immich for media storage?

Immich offers several advantages over traditional media storage solutions, such as better privacy and control over your data. Since it is self-hosted, you are not subject to any third-party terms of service, and you can customize your setup according to your specific needs. Furthermore, you can access your media from anywhere while having the benefit of cloud-like features without the associated costs of proprietary services.

Can I scale my Vultr instance later?

Yes, you can easily scale your Vultr instance as your needs grow. Vultr allows for vertical and horizontal scaling. For vertical scaling, you can upgrade your current VPS plan at any time from the Vultr dashboard. Horizontal scaling can be done by spinning up additional instances if you need to spread out your services or manage increased workloads.

By self-hosting Immich on Vultr, you take control of your photo and video management. This guide has provided the necessary steps and insight to set up your own instance effectively. Enjoy your self-hosted experience!