Self-host Budibase on a VPS
Build internal apps and forms in minutes.
Generate CRUD apps and automations over your data sources with a low-code builder.
Why self-host Budibase?
Budibase is fast to stand up and self-hosts cleanly, ideal for small teams producing internal tools.
How to install Budibase
- 1
Provision a VPS
Pick a Debian/Ubuntu template and get root SSH in about a minute.
- 2
Install the runtime
Install Node.js + CouchDB.
- 3
Deploy the application
Net what you need from the project’s official source and run it.
- 4
Put it behind TLS
Reverse-proxy with Nginx and issue a Let’s Encrypt certificate.
- 5
Add it to your backups
Include the data directory and database in your backup routine before you rely on it.
Practical tips
- Give Budibase its own database user with rights only on its own schema.
- Reverse-proxy Budibase and terminate TLS at the proxy so certificates are managed in one place.
- Take a VPS snapshot before major upgrades so you can roll back cleanly.
- Keep Budibase patched — most self-hosting incidents are unpatched software.
Frequently asked questions
- How much RAM does Budibase need?
- Plan on 2–4 GB for typical use; add headroom if you expect many concurrent users.
- What stack does Budibase run on?
- Node.js + CouchDB.
- Can I run other things on the same VPS?
- Yes — size the plan so Budibase plus your other workloads fit in RAM with room to spare.
Looking for something else? Popular alternatives include Appsmith, ToolJet, Retool (hosted) — browse all app guides.
About Budibase
Budibase is open-source software released under the GPL-3.0 licence. HostingSwift does not maintain, sell or support Budibase itself — you install and run it on your own VPS. These are the official links to the project:
- Website: budibase.com
- Source code: github.com/Budibase/budibase
Read the project's own documentation before deploying. We credit upstream projects because we genuinely run and recommend them — see our full open-source directory.