In 2024, many people are looking for ways to control their digital lives better. They want to keep their data safe, avoid relying too much on big companies, and customize their online experience. Self-hosted apps are a perfect solution to this problem. These apps let you run software on your own computer or server instead of using services controlled by others. This way, you can protect your privacy, have more control over your data, and even save money. Below, we’ll explore some of the best self-hosted apps available in 2024 that can help you achieve greater independence and security online.
Best Self Hosted Apps For Android And iOS
When you want to keep your information private and under your control, using self-hosted apps on your Android or iOS device is a smart choice. These are special apps that you put on your own computer or server instead of relying on someone else’s system. This way, only you can access your photos, documents, and messages, making everything more secure. They let you manage your own data, like creating your own little cloud or messaging service. You can customize these apps to fit your needs, ensuring that your digital life is both private and personalized. It’s like having your own digital space that no one else can peek into.
1. Nextcloud
A safe home for all your data
Dec 12, 2023
4.8(31.5K Ratings)1M+ Downloads
4.7 (10K Ratings)
EveryoneEnglish, Basque, Catalan, Czech
As one of the best self-hosted apps of 2024, Nextcloud offers a comprehensive suite for file hosting and sharing, alongside collaboration tools. It stands out for its ability to synchronize files, calendars, contacts, and more across devices, providing a robust alternative to commercial cloud storage services. Nextcloud’s flexibility allows users to extend its functionality through numerous apps, catering to both personal and professional use cases. Its open-source nature ensures transparency and security, making it a preferred choice for those looking to maintain control over their data. Nextcloud embodies the essence of privacy and customization, encapsulating the best self-hosted apps ethos for 2024.
2. Mattermost
Feb 5, 2024
4.7(10.6K Ratings)500K+ Downloads
4.7 (3.2K Ratings)
EveryoneEnglish, Arabic, Bulgarian, Dutch
Mattermost is a prominent player in the realm of self-hosted apps, offering an open-source messaging platform designed for high trust and security. It caters to teams looking for a private, self-hosted alternative to mainstream messaging apps, providing extensive integrations and customization options. With Mattermost, organizations can maintain full control over their communications and data, ensuring compliance with their security and privacy policies. Its rich feature set includes messaging, file sharing, and voice and video conferencing, making it a comprehensive communication solution for businesses and communities.
3. Bitwarden Password Manager
Secure your digital life
2024-02-07
4.5(4.2K Ratings)
Free
English, Belarusian, Bulgarian, Catalan
Bitwarden Password Manager is a leading solution among self-hosted apps for iOS, offering robust security for managing passwords and sensitive information. Its open-source architecture allows users to self-host their password vault, providing an extra layer of control and privacy. Bitwarden supports cross-platform use, but its specific optimizations for iOS devices ensure a seamless and secure experience for iPhone and iPad users. Features like password generation, secure sharing, and two-factor authentication make Bitwarden an essential tool for personal security management.
4. Home Assistant
Open Source Home Automation
Jan 30, 2024
4.2(8.6K Ratings)1M+ Downloads
4.4 (113 Ratings)
EveryoneEnglish, Bulgarian, Catalan, Czech
Home Assistant is a standout choice for self-hosted apps for Android, dedicated to turning your home into a smart home. It allows users to integrate and control various smart devices from different manufacturers under one roof, offering unparalleled customization and automation capabilities. Through its open-source platform, Home Assistant supports numerous plugins and integrations, enabling users to create complex scenarios and automations for their homes. Its active community and frequent updates ensure that Home Assistant remains at the forefront of smart home innovation.
5. Jellyfin
Your media, on your terms
2022-06-08
4.3(233 Ratings)
Free
English
Jellyfin emerges as a top choice among self-hosted apps for Android and iOS, providing an open-source media solution that puts privacy first. It allows users to organize, manage, and stream their media collections on any device without the need for a subscription. Jellyfin’s compatibility with both Android and iOS platforms ensures a broad user base can enjoy their personal media library on their preferred devices. With features like live TV, DVR capabilities, and extensive metadata support, Jellyfin offers a comprehensive media experience that rivals commercial offerings.
6. Emby
Feb 7, 2024
3.7(7.1K Ratings)1M+ Downloads
2.4 (50 Ratings)
EveryoneIn-app purchases Offers In-App Purchases
English
Emby is a powerful media server among self-hosted apps for iOS and Android, designed to organize, stream, and share media content across devices. It offers a personalized media experience, allowing users to access their movies, music, and photos on any device, anywhere. Emby’s focus on bringing together media in a user-friendly interface, coupled with its support for live TV, DVR, and cloud sync, makes it a compelling choice for those seeking an alternative to mainstream media platforms. Its compatibility with iOS and Android ensures a versatile and accessible media solution.
7. ownCloud
secure data sharing platform
Feb 12, 2024
4(13.5K Ratings)100K+ Downloads
4.6 (246 Ratings)
EveryoneEnglish, Albanian, Arabic, Basque
ownCloud represents a leading solution in the arena of free self-hosted apps, offering a secure file sharing and collaboration platform. It empowers users and organizations to host their own cloud services, facilitating easy access to files, calendars, contacts, and more from any device. ownCloud’s open-source nature and its commitment to security and privacy make it a favored choice for those looking to move away from commercial cloud storage options. Its extensive plugin ecosystem allows for further customization, making ownCloud a flexible and scalable solution for personal and professional use.
8. WireGuard
Fast, modern, secure VPN
Oct 18, 2023
4.2(9.6K Ratings)1M+ Downloads
4.4 (644 Ratings)
EveryoneEnglish, Catalan, Finnish, French
WireGuard stands out among free self-hosted apps for iOS, offering a modern and straightforward VPN solution. Its lean code base and emphasis on speed and security make it a preferred choice for setting up a private VPN. WireGuard’s ease of configuration and performance advantages over traditional VPN protocols ensure a seamless and secure connection. Its compatibility with iOS devices means users can enjoy a fast and private internet experience on their iPhones and iPads, backed by the reliability of self-hosting.
9. GitHub
Projects, ideas, & code to go
Feb 13, 2024
4.6(104K Ratings)5M+ Downloads
4.8 (19.2K Ratings)
EveryoneEnglish, German, Japanese, Korean
Although not traditionally categorized among self-hosted apps for Android, GitHub offers a platform for developers to host, share, and collaborate on code. It’s a cornerstone of the open-source community, providing tools for version control and collaboration. For Android developers, GitHub Actions and other CI/CD tools facilitate automated testing and deployment, making it an invaluable resource for development projects. Its extensive ecosystem and integration with various tools and services make GitHub a pivotal platform for software development.
10. Wix Owner – Website Builder
Blog, portfolio & store maker
Feb 11, 2024
4.3(52K Ratings)5M+ Downloads
4.7 (16K Ratings)
EveryoneEnglish, Arabic, Czech, Danish
Wix Owner – Website Builder emerges as a notable mention in free self-hosted apps for Android and iOS, providing users with a platform to create, manage, and promote their websites and mobile apps. While Wix itself is a hosted solution, it offers extensive tools and features for website creation and management, making it accessible for users without coding skills. Its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, combined with a wide range of templates and customization options, allows users to easily build professional websites. Wix Owner app enhances the experience by allowing users to manage their sites and interact with visitors directly from their mobile devices.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, embracing these apps in 2024 offers a powerful way to reclaim control over your digital footprint, enhance your privacy, and tailor your online experience to your exact needs. From managing your files and communications to hosting your website and keeping your calendar and contacts in sync, self-hosted solutions provide a versatile and secure alternative to mainstream, cloud-based services. By investing time in setting up and maintaining these apps, you not only gain independence from large tech companies but also contribute to a more decentralized and privacy-respecting digital world. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast or someone looking to secure their digital life, the world of self-hosted apps opens up endless possibilities for customization and control.
FAQs:
What are self-hosted apps?
Self-hosted apps are hosted on your own servers or platforms instead of cloud services.
Why self-hosting over standard hosting?
Self-hosting is popular owing to data privacy issues, customisation, and long-term cost benefits.
How safe are self-hosted apps?
The security of a self-hosted software rests on the user, both a problem and an opportunity for improved security.
Any downsides to self-hosting?
Regular maintenance, manual upgrades, data backups, and security are potential issues.
