---
title: Self-host
description: Run Docustay on your own server.
---

# Self-host

Licensed under the AGPL-3.0; run it on your own server. Community is free; Self-host Pro is $160 a year per install, for your own business. A commercial licence is for embedding, white-labelling and resale.

## What you run

The same software as the hosted service, on your own server with your own database, storage and email. Documents and signed copies never leave your infrastructure.

## What you need

A server that can run containers, a PostgreSQL database, somewhere to keep files, and a way to send email. The repository has a compose file and a first-run script that set it up.

## The licences

The server and app are licensed under the AGPL-3.0, so you can run, study and change them; if you change them and let other people use your version over a network, you offer them your source. Community is free and unlimited. Self-host Pro is $160 a year per install, for your own business, and the licence key unlocks the Pro items. It does not cover embedding Docustay in a product you sell, white-labelling or resale: that needs a commercial licence, from about $3,000 a year. The Licensing page explains each in plain words.

## How the key works

Your server asks docustay.app to confirm the key and gets back a signed note, which it checks itself against a public key shipped with the software, and it keeps working for up to 30 days if docustay.app cannot be reached. A self-hosted install also sends one anonymous usage ping a day; the Privacy Policy says what it contains.

## What changes

You are responsible for backups, updates and keeping the server safe. The hosted service does those for you.

## Keep reading

- [Pricing](/pricing)
- [Licensing](/legal/licensing)
- [Developers](/developers)
- [Security](/trust/security)
- [Compare with other tools](/compare)