Comparisons
60 head-to-head comparisons of self-hosted apps. We test both options and give you a clear recommendation.
Reverse Proxy & SSL
Nginx Proxy Manager vs Traefik
Nginx Proxy Manager vs Traefik compared for self-hosting. NPM offers a simple web UI while Traefik provides config-as-code with auto-discovery.
Nginx Proxy Manager vs Caddy
Nginx Proxy Manager vs Caddy compared for self-hosting. GUI-based proxy management versus simple Caddyfile config with automatic HTTPS.
Traefik vs Caddy: Which Reverse Proxy?
Traefik vs Caddy compared for self-hosting. Docker auto-discovery versus simple Caddyfile config, performance, and HTTPS automation.
Caddy vs Nginx: Which Web Server?
Caddy vs Nginx compared for self-hosting. Automatic HTTPS and simple config versus battle-tested performance and maximum control.
Traefik vs HAProxy: Reverse Proxy Showdown
Traefik vs HAProxy compared for self-hosting. Docker-native auto-discovery versus production-grade load balancing — which reverse proxy fits your setup?
Envoy vs Traefik: Which Proxy to Self-Host?
Envoy vs Traefik compared for self-hosting. gRPC support, Docker integration, load balancing, observability, and which cloud-native proxy fits your setup.
Envoy vs HAProxy: Which Proxy to Self-Host?
Envoy vs HAProxy compared for self-hosting. Load balancing, TCP proxying, observability, configuration, and which production-grade proxy to choose.
Zoraxy vs Nginx Proxy Manager
Zoraxy vs Nginx Proxy Manager compared for self-hosting. Features, performance, Docker setup, and which GUI reverse proxy to choose for your homelab.
Envoy vs Nginx: Which Proxy to Self-Host?
Envoy vs Nginx compared for self-hosting. Performance, gRPC support, configuration, observability, and which proxy fits your infrastructure needs.
Zoraxy vs Traefik: Which Proxy to Self-Host?
Zoraxy vs Traefik compared for self-hosting. Web UI vs Docker labels, Docker integration, SSL management, and which reverse proxy fits your homelab.
Envoy vs Caddy: Which Proxy to Self-Host?
Envoy vs Caddy compared for self-hosting. Automatic HTTPS, gRPC support, configuration complexity, and which reverse proxy fits your homelab.
Zoraxy vs Caddy: Which Proxy to Self-Host?
Zoraxy vs Caddy compared for self-hosting. Web UI vs Caddyfile, automatic HTTPS, Docker integration, and which reverse proxy to pick for your homelab.
Zoraxy vs Cosmos Cloud: Which to Self-Host?
Zoraxy vs Cosmos Cloud compared for self-hosting. Both bundle reverse proxying with extra features. Find out which all-in-one platform fits your homelab.
Note Taking & Knowledge
BookStack vs Outline: Which to Self-Host?
BookStack vs Outline compared — structure, collaboration, authentication, and team features for self-hosted knowledge management.
BookStack vs Wiki.js: Which Wiki to Self-Host?
BookStack vs Wiki.js compared — editors, organization, Git sync, and ease of use to help you choose the right self-hosted wiki.
Trilium vs Joplin: Which to Self-Host?
Trilium Notes vs Joplin compared — knowledge management features, sync, editors, and use cases for self-hosted note-taking.
AppFlowy vs AFFiNE: Which to Self-Host?
AppFlowy vs AFFiNE compared — Notion alternatives with databases, editors, whiteboards, and self-hosting complexity.
SiYuan vs Obsidian: Which to Self-Host?
SiYuan vs Obsidian compared — block editing, sync options, bidirectional links, and self-hosting capabilities for knowledge management.
Wiki.js vs Outline: Which to Self-Host?
Wiki.js vs Outline compared — editors, collaboration, Git sync, and team features for self-hosted knowledge management.
Outline vs Other Notion Alternatives: Compared
Outline compared to AppFlowy, AFFiNE, BookStack, and other self-hosted Notion alternatives — features, maturity, and best use cases.
Media Servers
Jellyfin vs Plex: Which Media Server?
Jellyfin vs Plex compared — features, pricing, transcoding, client apps, and which self-hosted media server you should choose in 2026.
Jellyfin vs Emby: Which Should You Self-Host?
Detailed comparison of Jellyfin and Emby for self-hosted media streaming — features, transcoding, mobile apps, and pricing.
Plex vs Emby: Which Should You Self-Host?
Detailed comparison of Plex and Emby for self-hosted media streaming — features, pricing, transcoding, apps, and privacy.
Navidrome vs Subsonic: Which Should You Self-Host?
Comparison of Navidrome and Subsonic for self-hosted music streaming — features, performance, client compatibility, and pricing.
Jellyfin vs Plex vs Emby: Complete Media Server Comparison
Three-way comparison of Jellyfin, Plex, and Emby — the definitive guide to choosing a self-hosted media server in 2026.
Navidrome vs Jellyfin for Music: Which Should You Self-Host?
Comparison of Navidrome and Jellyfin for self-hosted music streaming — dedicated music server vs all-in-one media platform.
Photo & Video Management
Immich vs PhotoPrism: Which Should You Self-Host?
Detailed comparison of Immich and PhotoPrism for self-hosted photo management — features, performance, mobile apps, and setup complexity.
Immich vs LibrePhotos: Which Should You Self-Host?
Immich vs LibrePhotos compared — features, mobile apps, AI search, Docker setup complexity, and which self-hosted photo manager is right for you.
PhotoPrism vs LibrePhotos: Which Should You Self-Host?
Detailed comparison of PhotoPrism and LibrePhotos for self-hosted photo management — features, performance, AI capabilities, and setup.
Lychee vs Piwigo: Which Should You Self-Host?
Detailed comparison of Lychee and Piwigo for self-hosted photo galleries — features, UI, plugins, setup complexity, and use cases.
Immich vs Google Photos: Can Self-Hosted Replace Google?
Honest comparison of Immich and Google Photos — features, AI capabilities, mobile apps, privacy, and what you gain and lose by switching.
PhotoPrism vs Piwigo: Which Should You Self-Host?
Detailed comparison of PhotoPrism and Piwigo — AI-powered photo indexer vs battle-tested gallery with 23 years of development.
Docker Management
Portainer vs Dockge: Which Docker Manager?
Portainer vs Dockge compared for self-hosting. Full feature breakdown, resource usage, installation complexity, and an opinionated verdict on the winner.
Dockge vs Yacht: Lightweight Docker UIs
Dockge vs Yacht compared for self-hosting. Compose-focused stack manager versus template-driven container UI — which lightweight Docker tool wins?
Portainer vs Cosmos Cloud
Portainer vs Cosmos Cloud compared for self-hosting. Dedicated Docker management platform versus all-in-one self-hosting suite with built-in proxy.
Portainer vs Yacht: Docker Management UIs
Portainer vs Yacht compared for self-hosting. Full-featured Docker platform versus lightweight container management UI for homelabs.
Watchtower vs DIUN: Docker Update Tools
Watchtower vs DIUN compared for self-hosting. Automatic container updates versus update notifications — which approach is safer for your homelab?
VPN & Remote Access
Headscale vs Tailscale: Self-Hosted Control Plane
Headscale vs Tailscale comparison. When to self-host your coordination server and what you gain or lose versus Tailscale's cloud.
Tailscale vs WireGuard: Which VPN Should You Use?
Tailscale vs WireGuard comparison for self-hosting. We break down setup, performance, features, and which VPN fits your needs.
wg-easy vs WireGuard: GUI vs Command Line
Compare wg-easy and raw WireGuard for self-hosted VPN. We cover setup, management, features, and when a web UI is worth it.
NetBird vs Tailscale: Self-Hosted Mesh VPN
NetBird vs Tailscale comparison for mesh VPN. Compare self-hosting, features, setup complexity, and which fits your needs.
ZeroTier vs Tailscale: Which Mesh VPN to Use?
ZeroTier vs Tailscale comparison for self-hosted networking. We compare setup, features, pricing, and self-hosting options.
Password Management
Vaultwarden vs Passbolt: Which Password Manager?
Vaultwarden vs Passbolt compared — features, setup complexity, mobile support, and which self-hosted password manager you should choose.
Vaultwarden vs KeeWeb: Which Password Manager?
Vaultwarden vs KeeWeb compared — architecture, features, mobile support, and which self-hosted password manager to choose for your setup.
Vaultwarden vs Padloc: Which Password Manager?
Vaultwarden vs Padloc compared — features, mobile apps, auto-fill, design, and which self-hosted password manager to choose.
Authelia vs Authentik: Which Auth Server?
Authelia vs Authentik compared — features, resource usage, OIDC support, and which self-hosted authentication server fits your homelab.
Bitwarden vs Vaultwarden: Which to Self-Host?
Bitwarden official server vs Vaultwarden compared — resource usage, features, client support, and which self-hosted password manager to choose.
Ad Blocking & DNS
Pi-hole vs AdGuard Home: Which Ad Blocker?
Pi-hole vs AdGuard Home compared — features, performance, setup complexity, and which network-wide ad blocker you should self-host.
AdGuard Home vs Blocky: Which DNS Ad Blocker?
AdGuard Home vs Blocky compared — features, UI, resource usage, encrypted DNS, and which self-hosted DNS ad blocker fits your setup.
Pi-hole vs Blocky: Which DNS Ad Blocker?
Pi-hole vs Blocky compared — features, resource usage, configuration approach, and which DNS ad blocker suits your self-hosting setup.
Pi-hole vs Technitium DNS: Which Should You Use?
Pi-hole vs Technitium DNS compared — ad blocking, DNS features, web UI, resource usage, and which self-hosted DNS server fits your needs.
Home Automation
Home Assistant vs openHAB: Which to Self-Host?
Home Assistant vs openHAB compared — features, setup complexity, integrations, and performance to help you pick the right platform.
Home Assistant vs Gladys Assistant: Compared
Home Assistant vs Gladys Assistant compared — integrations, privacy, UI design, and setup complexity for self-hosted home automation.
Home Assistant vs Domoticz: Which to Self-Host?
Home Assistant vs Domoticz compared — features, resource usage, integrations, and setup to help you choose the right platform.
openHAB vs Domoticz: Which to Self-Host?
openHAB vs Domoticz compared — features, resource usage, automation engines, and protocol support for self-hosted home automation.
File Sync & Storage
Nextcloud vs Syncthing: Which File Sync to Use?
Nextcloud vs Syncthing comparison for self-hosted file sync. We compare features, architecture, performance, and ideal use cases.
Nextcloud vs Seafile: Which File Server Wins?
Nextcloud vs Seafile comparison for self-hosted file sync and storage. We compare performance, features, and resource usage.
Seafile vs Syncthing: Server vs Peer-to-Peer
Seafile vs Syncthing comparison for self-hosted file sync. Compare architecture, performance, sharing, and which fits your needs.
Nextcloud vs ownCloud: Which File Server to Use?
Nextcloud vs ownCloud comparison for self-hosted file sync. We compare features, performance, licensing, and which to choose.