# Which is the better option to self-host?
**URL:** https://meta.discourse.org/t/which-is-the-better-option-to-self-host/311681
**Category:** Self-hosting
**Created:** [June 12, 2024, 4:59am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/which-is-the-better-option-to-self-host/311681 "2024-06-12T04:59:20Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@NateDhaliwal](https://meta.discourse.org/u/NateDhaliwal)
#### Post date: [June 12, 2024, 4:59am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/which-is-the-better-option-to-self-host/311681/1 "2024-06-12T04:59:20Z")
Hi everyone, I was thinking about self-hosting a Discourse forum, and I wanted to know 2 things:
1. Where should I host the forum on? Docker, or my Raspberry Pi?
2. How would I deploy it if it’s on my Pi/Docker?
I’m still unsure about the options; personally, I’m fine with either for 1, but for 2, that’s the main question.
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### Author:  [@merefield](https://meta.discourse.org/u/merefield)
#### Post date: [June 12, 2024, 6:43am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/which-is-the-better-option-to-self-host/311681/2 "2024-06-12T06:43:16Z")
> [@NateDhaliwal](#):
>
> Docker, or my Raspberry Pi?
This is not a choice 🙂
Deployment on Raspberry Pi would be on Docker 🙂
In any case you want to use the [standard install](https://meta.discourse.org/t/142537?silent=true).
(for general interest see this Topic: [Discourse on a Raspberry Pi | Blog](https://meta.discourse.org/t/discourse-on-a-raspberry-pi-blog/211357))
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### Author:  [@NateDhaliwal](https://meta.discourse.org/u/NateDhaliwal)
#### Post date: [June 12, 2024, 6:44am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/which-is-the-better-option-to-self-host/311681/3 "2024-06-12T06:44:26Z")
> [@merefield](#):
>
> Deployment on Raspberry Pi would be on Docker
So I would have to install Docker on my Pi?
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### Author:  [@NateDhaliwal](https://meta.discourse.org/u/NateDhaliwal)
#### Post date: [June 12, 2024, 6:45am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/which-is-the-better-option-to-self-host/311681/4 "2024-06-12T06:45:23Z")
@merefield May I ask why not install it (Docker) on my computer instead? What difference would it really make?
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### Author:  [@merefield](https://meta.discourse.org/u/merefield)
#### Post date: [June 12, 2024, 6:48am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/which-is-the-better-option-to-self-host/311681/5 "2024-06-12T06:48:57Z")
The easiest way to install Discourse is and has always been deploying to a VPS in the cloud.
Deploying locally on any computer is less optimal, but can be done.
Often people have a raspberry pi lying around not always fully engaged and it’s a fun and educational hobby project to do.
Running on your main PC? Well I don’t think you want sessions of Rocket League impacting performance of your Discourse instance? 🙂
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### Author:  [@NateDhaliwal](https://meta.discourse.org/u/NateDhaliwal)
#### Post date: [June 12, 2024, 6:50am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/which-is-the-better-option-to-self-host/311681/6 "2024-06-12T06:50:31Z")
Right. I’ll try out the Pi setup and see what I can do.
Will post back here if I have any updates.
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### Author:  [@merefield](https://meta.discourse.org/u/merefield)
#### Post date: [June 12, 2024, 6:50am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/which-is-the-better-option-to-self-host/311681/7 "2024-06-12T06:50:55Z")
Is that a tacit admission of Rocket League participation? 😉
Good luck!
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### Author:  [@NateDhaliwal](https://meta.discourse.org/u/NateDhaliwal)
#### Post date: [June 12, 2024, 6:53am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/which-is-the-better-option-to-self-host/311681/8 "2024-06-12T06:53:03Z")
Quick question, will it be free if I follow the guide on the Github repo? Or will DigitalOcean be paid?
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### Author:  [@merefield](https://meta.discourse.org/u/merefield)
#### Post date: [June 12, 2024, 6:54am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/which-is-the-better-option-to-self-host/311681/9 "2024-06-12T06:54:56Z")
Digital Ocean is but one supplier you can use for a VPS install.
If you are using a Raspberry Pi you will not be using Digital Ocean.
I suspect you will have to pay for an Email Service provider to handle outgoing emails though, but follow the guide.
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### Author:  [@NateDhaliwal](https://meta.discourse.org/u/NateDhaliwal)
#### Post date: [June 12, 2024, 6:57am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/which-is-the-better-option-to-self-host/311681/10 "2024-06-12T06:57:10Z")
Should be the last question:
Could I do this instead?
> [@Install Discourse for development using Docker](https://meta.discourse.org/t/install-discourse-for-development-using-docker/102009):
>
> Developing using Docker Since Discourse runs in Docker, you should be able to run Discourse directly from your source directory using a Discourse development container. white_check_mark Pros: No need to install any system dependencies, no configuration needed at all for setting up a development environment quickly. x Cons: Will be slightly slower than the native dev environment on Ubuntu, and much slower than a native install on MacOS. See also [Developing Discourse using a Dev Container](https://meta.discourse.org/t/developing-discourse-using-a-dev-container/336366) …
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### Author:  [@merefield](https://meta.discourse.org/u/merefield)
#### Post date: [June 12, 2024, 6:58am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/which-is-the-better-option-to-self-host/311681/11 "2024-06-12T06:58:34Z")
What is it you want?
A working production install or a development install?
This is for the latter
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### Author:  [@NateDhaliwal](https://meta.discourse.org/u/NateDhaliwal)
#### Post date: [June 12, 2024, 7:00am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/which-is-the-better-option-to-self-host/311681/12 "2024-06-12T07:00:31Z")
Any is fine, I suppose. I could try the second one then put it in production with the first one, I guess.
I’ll go try them out; thanks for the help!
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### Author:  [@Jagster](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Jagster)
#### Post date: [June 12, 2024, 7:09am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/which-is-the-better-option-to-self-host/311681/13 "2024-06-12T07:09:15Z")
> [@NateDhaliwal](#):
>
> May I ask why not install it (Docker) on my computer instead? What difference would it really make?
For use nothing, for installing something.
I have a rasp lying down and holding my personal photo gallery, for example. It doesn’t waste electricity too much and I don’t expose my laptop to every other users. Because I’m using already Discourse as a private notebook I could use raspberry for that because I don’t have need to access it from outside world and at same time I could save close to 10 buck a month VPS bills.
That is one reason. Matter of choise, nothing else.
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### Author:  [@NateDhaliwal](https://meta.discourse.org/u/NateDhaliwal)
#### Post date: [June 12, 2024, 9:20am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/which-is-the-better-option-to-self-host/311681/14 "2024-06-12T09:20:41Z")
Alright. So here are the issues I encountered. Note that this was on my Pi.
First, I tried setting it up with the Docker installation guide for development. I encountered a problem eventually when running `d/rails s`, as it said that the container was restarting, and I had to wait until it has started. I simply stopped and deleted the container (this may not have been the best course of actions).
Then, I attempted to try the Ubuntu/Linux development guide ([this one](https://meta.discourse.org/t/install-discourse-on-ubuntu-or-debian-for-development/14727)), but also couldn’t continue when I tried `bundle install`, saying that bundle was not found. I attempted to clone the repo to another folder and try, but to no avail.
Eventually, I `rm -rf`d both folders and uninstalled Docker, preparing for another battle with the terminal tomorrow.
Do you guys @merefield and @Jagster have any suggestions?
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### Author:  [@merefield](https://meta.discourse.org/u/merefield)
#### Post date: [June 12, 2024, 9:24am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/which-is-the-better-option-to-self-host/311681/15 "2024-06-12T09:24:22Z")
I suggest you use the supported production install.
The docker dev install is intended for Ubuntu and you will have to resolve the issues yourself if you choose to try that on the pi.
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### Author:  [@NateDhaliwal](https://meta.discourse.org/u/NateDhaliwal)
#### Post date: [June 12, 2024, 9:28am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/which-is-the-better-option-to-self-host/311681/16 "2024-06-12T09:28:00Z")
Just to make sure I understand you, I will have to run [this](https://github.com/discourse/discourse/blob/master/docs/INSTALL-cloud.md)? Is it possible to do it on a Pi instead?
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### Author:  [@NateDhaliwal](https://meta.discourse.org/u/NateDhaliwal)
#### Post date: [October 7, 2025, 11:25pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/which-is-the-better-option-to-self-host/311681/17 "2025-10-07T23:25:49Z")
I find myself back here after a few disastrous attempts and steering clear of my Pi for over a year.
I still don’t know which I can do, like does a dev environment work on a Pi? Or should I use a production one on that instead? I’m leaning towards a development one, but is it possible to do so?
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### Author:  [@supermathie](https://meta.discourse.org/u/supermathie)
#### Post date: [October 8, 2025, 11:54pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/which-is-the-better-option-to-self-host/311681/18 "2025-10-08T23:54:11Z")
> [@NateDhaliwal](#):
>
> looks back on my ignorance and cringes 😆
Mate, if you’re not doing this, you’re not learning and growing.
> [@NateDhaliwal](#):
>
> does a dev environment work on a Pi? Or should I use a production one on that instead?
What is your motivation behind using the RPi?
If you’re doing dev, I worry you’ll be spending a lot of time waiting on the Pi.
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### Author:  [@NateDhaliwal](https://meta.discourse.org/u/NateDhaliwal)
#### Post date: [October 9, 2025, 1:07am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/which-is-the-better-option-to-self-host/311681/19 "2025-10-09T01:07:14Z")
> [@supermathie](#):
>
> What is your motivation behind using the RPi?
I mean, I have one lying around and wanted to make it have _some_ use, like running a development environment, amongst other things, just for fun (and dev, so I’m less reliant on Theme Creator).
> [@supermathie](#):
>
> If you’re doing dev, I worry you’ll be spending a lot of time waiting on the Pi.
So the Pi might be too slow? If I add swap, would it help? Or would production be better in this case? Thanks.
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### Author:  [@merefield](https://meta.discourse.org/u/merefield)
#### Post date: [October 9, 2025, 6:54am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/which-is-the-better-option-to-self-host/311681/20 "2025-10-09T06:54:11Z")
Swap just makes functioning possible. It doesn’t speed things up. RAM is always better. My Pi has more RAM than my VPS’s though!
This Topic is nearly two years old @NateDhaliwal just install it on your Pi already 😉
Nothing like doing to actually inform your decision of whether it’s a good idea.
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