Most modern software that you can use today is locked behind a subscription model. Before you know it, you can end up with half a dozen cloud subscriptions without thinking twice about it. Netflix here, Google Drive there, maybe a password manager—it all adds up faster than you’d think.
But here’s the thing: self-hosting can help you get rid of these subscriptions. Self-hosting sounds intimidating, but you only need a tiny setup, some time on your hands, and a weekend of experimentation. And that’s exactly how I save nearly $50 every month by self-hosting four open-source apps that got rid of most of my subscriptions.
Copyparty
A fast, no-nonsense way to host and share files yourself
Copyparty is hands-down one of the most underrated file servers I’ve encountered. It’s a single Python file that does everything: file sharing, uploads, downloads, media streaming, and even has a built-in music player with an equalizer. Copyparty even gives Nextcloud a run for its money, considering just how easy it is to self-host.
No, you don’t need a powerful PC with terabytes of storage. You can run and host Copyparty on anything. Whether it’s an old laptop, Android or iPhone, tablet, desktop, or even a Raspberry Pi. Even your old phone can easily replace Google Drive with Copyparty.
There are loads of features to use once you’re set up. Copyparty has an intelligent upload system that automatically splits large files into smaller chunks for resumable transfers. It also does file deduplication using hashes, so if you’re copying the same file to multiple locations, it creates hard links instead of duplicating data.
The interface is also surprisingly polished for an open-source project. You can drag-and-drop files through your browser, create share links with passwords and expiration dates, and it even generates QR codes for quick sharing. It supports WebDAV, FTPS, TFTP, and Samba protocols, among many others.
I’ve got my Copyparty server running on an old Linux machine that’s quietly sitting at the back of my office, and it feels indistinguishable from commercial cloud storage—except it’s my hardware, my rules, and zero monthly fees.
- OS
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Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
- Developer
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9001
- Price model
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Free, Open-Source
Copyparty can turn almost any device into a file server with resumable uploads/downloads using any web browser.
Plex
One media server, zero recurring fees
Plex is probably the most well-known app on this list, and for good reason. It turns your personal media collection into a well-organized streaming service that rivals anything Netflix, Prime Video, or other streaming giants can offer in terms of user experience.
Setting up Plex is also a relatively simple task. You point it at your media folders—movies, TV shows, music, photos—and it automatically fetches metadata, posters, cast information, and episode descriptions. The Netflix-like interface works well across any device you’d want to stream on, including phones, tablets, smart TVs, or even your Roku.
You’re not at the mercy of licensing deals either. While your favorite show might get nuked from Netflix in an instant, that doesn’t happen with Plex. Everything I’ve added to my library stays there. You can also combine Plex with programs like Sonarr or Radarr to automate content discovery and downloads.
The free version works great, but if you can, I recommend splurging for a lifetime Plex Pass during any ongoing sales you spot. It’s a one-time expense that’ll save you more money than you’d pay over years of streaming subscriptions.
- OS
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MacOS, Linux, Windows, iOS, Andriod
Plex is a powerful media management and streaming service that centralizes your personal media—like movies, music, photos, and TV shows—into one easy-to-access library. It also offers free streaming of movies, TV, and live channels, making it a versatile entertainment hub for all your content.
Vaultwarden
Self-hosting security doesn’t have to be heavy or expensive
Vaultwarden replaces my Bitwarden premium subscription. Granted, Bitwarden’s premium plan is already quite reasonable at just $10 per year, but the decision to self-host my password manager with Vaultwarden was more about the principle here. Vaultwarden itself is a lightweight, self-hosted implementation of the Bitwarden API and gives me complete control over my most sensitive data.
It’s also fully compatible with all official Bitwarden apps. I can use the same browser extensions, mobile apps, and desktop clients I would with paid Bitwarden, except now my vault sits on my own server. You can set it up with Docker in well under an hour and get access to all the premium features without paying a cent.
If you’d like a completely separate setup for security, you can even run Vaultwarden on a Raspberry Pi. It also includes biometric sign-in, TOTP one-time passwords, secure notes, credit card syncing, and even emergency access features. For additional security, you can use a reverse proxy with SSL.
For anyone serious about privacy and security, self-hosting your password manager is a no-brainer. No third-party breaches, no corporate policy changes, no surprise price increases. Your passwords, your server, period.
- Developer
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Daniel García
- Price model
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Free, Open-source
Vaultwarden is a lightweight, self-hosted password manager compatible with Bitwarden clients, designed to run efficiently on low-resource servers.
AFFiNE
Docs, notes, and planning without subscription creep
I have a love-hate relationship with Notion. My Notion Plus subscription paid for itself every month, but Notion is also among the productivity apps that turned out to be time wasters instead. Thankfully, there are several Notion alternatives you can self-host, and AFFiNE is among the best.
AFFiNE is what Notion should’ve been from the start: a privacy-first, local-first workspace that gives you complete control over your data without compromising on features or adding complexity. It’s not just another thoughtless Notion clone—it combines document creation, whiteboarding, and project management into one platform.
AFFiNE takes a hybrid approach that lets you either work completely offline with your data stored locally, or spin up the self-hosted version using Docker for online use or team collaboration. The setup is a bit complicated and requires tools like PostgreSQL and Redis, but using Docker Compose, you can still set up everything in under an hour.
The interface is quite similar to Notion, so there’s only a minimal learning curve. You get the same block-based editing, database views, and nested page structures. AFFiNE also goes further with its edgeless canvas mode, which is essentially an infinite whiteboard where you sketch, draw, and organize content visually.
- OS
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Windows, macOS, Linux
- Developer
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Toeverything
- Price model
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Free, Open-source
AFFiNE is a workspace with fully merged docs, whiteboards, and databases.
Break free from subscriptions
Self-hosting isn’t for everyone, and I won’t pretend it is. You need at least basic technical comfort, a willingness to troubleshoot occasionally, and some additional hardware to run these services. But if you’re already tinkering with tech, the benefits are well worth the effort.
I’m not suggesting that everyone should immediately cancel all their subscriptions and build a homelab. Start slow—Copyparty and Plex make for great first projects because they’re quite straightforward and immediately useful. Once you’re comfortable running a few services, gradually move on to more advanced ones.
These 7 open-source apps are so good I’d happily pay for them
Some open-source alternatives aren’t just good, they’re good enough to be paid for.
Self-hosting isn’t about running enterprise-grade data centers in your basement. It’s about taking back ownership of your digital world and saving money one subscription at a time. It’s been worth every minute I’ve invested, and I’m sure you’ll feel the same.