Self Hosting
Self hosting is the practice of running and managing software applications, services, or infrastructure on one's own servers or hardware, rather than relying on third-party cloud providers or external hosting services. It involves full control over the deployment, configuration, security, and maintenance of the technology stack. This approach is commonly used for web applications, databases, email servers, and development tools to ensure data sovereignty, customization, and cost management.
Developers should consider self hosting when they require complete control over their data, need to comply with strict privacy or regulatory requirements (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA), or want to avoid vendor lock-in and recurring subscription costs. It is particularly useful for custom applications, internal tools, or in scenarios where performance and latency are critical, such as in edge computing or on-premises deployments. However, it demands expertise in system administration, security, and scalability.