Self-host Syncthing on a VPS
Continuous, peer-to-peer file sync.
Keep folders in sync across devices directly, with no central server and full end-to-end encryption.
Why self-host Syncthing?
Syncthing gives you Dropbox-style sync where the data goes device to device, and an always-on VPS makes a great hub.
How to install Syncthing
- 1
Provision a VPS
Choose a plan with room for your data as well as the app.
- 2
Install the stack
Install Single Go binary.
- 3
Deploy the application
Follow the project’s official install guide for your distribution.
- 4
Enable HTTPS
Serve it on your own domain behind a reverse proxy with a certificate.
- 5
Back it up
Schedule a database dump plus a copy of any uploaded files to an off-box location.
Practical tips
- Give Syncthing its own database user with rights only on its own schema.
- Reverse-proxy Syncthing 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 Syncthing patched — most self-hosting incidents are unpatched software.
Frequently asked questions
- How much RAM does Syncthing need?
- Plan on 512 MB–1 GB for typical use; add headroom if you expect many concurrent users.
- What stack does Syncthing run on?
- Single Go binary.
- Can I run other things on the same VPS?
- Yes — size the plan so Syncthing plus your other workloads fit in RAM with room to spare.
Looking for something else? Popular alternatives include Nextcloud, Seafile, rsync — browse all app guides.
About Syncthing
Syncthing is open-source software released under the MPL-2.0 licence. HostingSwift does not maintain, sell or support Syncthing itself — you install and run it on your own VPS. These are the official links to the project:
- Website: syncthing.net
- Source code: github.com/syncthing/syncthing
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.