Take Back Control

Stop letting corporations profit from your data. Build your own internet where YOU own everything.

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Why You Need Your Own Internet

Your Data is Being Stolen

Every photo, message, and search is sold to advertisers. Your private life funds billionaires.

"I uploaded family photos to Google Photos. Later I found them in an AI training dataset being sold online." - Sarah, Teacher

AI Companies Scrape Everything

Your posts, photos, and content train AI models without permission or payment.

"My art portfolio on Instagram was used to train AI that now competes with my work." - Marcus, Digital Artist

Services Disappear Overnight

Companies shut down, get bought, or change terms. Your data vanishes.

"10 years of family videos on Google Photos were deleted when my account got flagged by mistake." - Jennifer, Mom of 3

Censorship & Control

Platforms decide what you can say, share, or see. Dissent gets deleted.

"My community group discussing local politics was removed from Facebook with no explanation." - David, Community Organizer

Endless Subscription Fees

$10/month here, $15/month there. You're paying rent forever for features you should own.

"I calculated $2,400/year in subscription fees for services I could run myself for $100." - Alex, Software Engineer

No Privacy, Ever

Every click, every pause, every interaction is monitored and analyzed.

"My insurance premium went up after my fitness app data showed I wasn't exercising enough." - Lisa, Accountant

✨ What If You Owned Your Digital Life? ✨

Imagine having your own YouTube, Google Drive, WhatsApp, and social media - all running on hardware YOU control, with data that stays YOURS.

No ads. No tracking. No censorship. No monthly fees.

Find Your Path

Answer a few questions to get a personalized recommendation

How comfortable are you with technology?

Complete Beginner
I barely use computers beyond browsing and email
Comfortable User
I can install software and follow tutorials
Tech Savvy
I've used command line and understand networking

What's your budget for getting started?

Under $50
I want to try this without spending much
$50 - $200
I'm willing to invest in good hardware
$200+
I want the best setup possible

What's your main goal?

Replace Google Drive
Store and sync files across my devices
Personal Netflix
Stream my movies and music collection
Private Communication
Chat and video calls without spying
Everything!
I want to replace as many services as possible

🌟 Perfect! VPS with One-Click Setup

You want file storage without complexity. This path gets you running in 30 minutes:

Sign up for Hetzner Cloud (€4.51/month)
Install CasaOS with one command
Click "Install Nextcloud" in the app store
Access your personal cloud from anywhere!

Total time: 30 minutes | Monthly cost: €4.51 | Replaces: Google Drive, Dropbox, Google Photos

📖 FOLLOW COMPLETE TUTORIAL

🎯 Raspberry Pi Home Server

Great choice! You'll learn a lot and save money long-term:

Buy Raspberry Pi 4 Kit (~$150)
Flash DietPi image to SD card
Install services through DietPi's menu system
Set up dynamic DNS for remote access

One-time cost: ~$150 | Power usage: $2/month | Perfect for learning!

📖 FOLLOW COMPLETE TUTORIAL

🍿 Ultimate Media Setup

You want your own Netflix/Spotify. Here's the pro setup:

Get a used Dell Optiplex (~$200) + 4TB drive ($80)
Install Proxmox for virtualization
Run Jellyfin for movies/TV + Navidrome for music
Add Sonarr/Radarr for automatic downloads

Setup cost: ~$300 | Replaces: Netflix, Spotify, YouTube Premium

📖 FOLLOW COMPLETE TUTORIAL

🚀 Full Digital Independence

You're ready to replace everything! Here's the comprehensive setup:

Server: Used enterprise hardware (~$400) or powerful VPS
OS: Proxmox with multiple VMs
Services: Nextcloud, Matrix, Mastodon, Jellyfin, Vaultwarden
Infrastructure: Nginx Proxy Manager, automated backups, monitoring

Investment: $400-800 | Replaces: Google Workspace, Office 365, social media, streaming services

📖 FOLLOW COMPLETE TUTORIAL

Self-Hosted Alternatives Directory

Click any service to visit their website and learn more

📁
File Storage & Sync
Replace Google Drive, Dropbox, iCloud
💬
Messaging & Chat
Replace WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord
🎬
Media Streaming
Replace Netflix, Plex, YouTube Premium
📱
Social Media
Replace Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
🔐
Password Managers
Replace LastPass, 1Password, Dashlane
📧
Email Servers
Replace Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo Mail
📸
Photo Management
Replace Google Photos, iCloud Photos
📝
Note Taking & Docs
Replace Notion, Evernote, Google Docs
📺
Video Conferencing
Replace Zoom, Google Meet, Teams
🌐
Web Analytics
Replace Google Analytics
🎵
Music Streaming
Replace Spotify, Apple Music
🛡️
Ad Blocking & DNS
Replace Network ads, tracking

🔍 Want More Alternatives?

Explore these comprehensive directories:

Awesome Self-Hosted AlternativeTo Privacy Tools
Get Your Personalized Setup Guide

Learn the Basics

Simple explanations of technical terms you'll encounter

🖥️ What is Self-Hosting?

Simple: Running software on your own computer instead of using someone else's.

Example: Instead of storing photos on Google Photos, you run your own photo app on your computer.

Benefits: You own your data, no monthly fees, no one can shut it down

☁️ What is a VPS?

Simple: Renting a computer in a professional data center that's always online.

Example: Like renting an apartment vs buying a house - you get your own space without maintenance.

Benefits: Always online, fast internet, professional backups, easy upgrades

🔐 What is SSH?

Simple: A secure way to control a remote computer using text commands.

Example: Like remote desktop, but using typed commands instead of clicking with mouse.

Why use it: It's the standard way to manage Linux servers securely

🐳 What is Docker?

Simple: A way to package software so it runs anywhere without complex installation.

Example: Like a shipping container - the software inside works the same everywhere.

Benefits: Easy installation, isolated apps, consistent performance

🌐 What is a Domain Name?

Simple: A human-readable address for your server (like google.com)

Example: Instead of remembering 1.2.3.4, you can use mycloud.com

Benefits: Easy to remember, enables SSL certificates, looks professional

🔒 What is SSL/HTTPS?

Simple: Encryption that protects data traveling between your browser and server.

Example: Like sending a locked box instead of a postcard - no one can read it in transit.

Why important: Prevents data theft, required for modern browsers, builds trust

🛡️ What is a Firewall?

Simple: A security system that controls what network traffic can reach your server.

Example: Like a bouncer at a club - only lets in approved traffic on specific ports.

Why important: Blocks hackers, prevents unauthorized access, essential security

💾 What is a Database?

Simple: Organized storage for your app's data (like users, posts, settings).

Example: Like a filing cabinet with organized folders and labels for quick finding.

Common types: MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB - most apps need one

🔄 What is a Reverse Proxy?

Simple: A server that forwards requests to other servers behind it.

Example: Like a receptionist who directs visitors to the right department.

Benefits: Single entry point, SSL termination, load balancing, nice URLs

📱 What is an API?

Simple: A way for different software programs to talk to each other.

Example: Like a restaurant menu - it shows what you can order and how to ask for it.

Why important: Enables apps to share data, connect services, automate tasks

🏠 What is a Home Lab?

Simple: Running your own servers and network equipment at home for learning/projects.

Example: Like having a mini data center in your closet or basement.

Benefits: Hands-on learning, complete control, no monthly fees, privacy

🔗 What is Federation?

Simple: Different servers that can talk to each other, like email works between Gmail and Yahoo.

Example: Your Mastodon server can follow people on other Mastodon servers worldwide.

Benefits: Decentralized network, no single point of failure, freedom to choose servers

🎓 Want to Learn More?

Check out these excellent learning resources:

Linux Journey Docker Tutorial Networking Basics Missing Semester