I replaced 11 SaaS apps with self-hosted ones in a homelab: here is what each one really costs in RAM

Description and use

The author replaced 11 SaaS services with self‑hosted alternatives in a homelab, measuring RAM usage from 128 MB to 4 GB, gaining data control and cost savings.

Problem

Subscriptions add up and personal data sits on third‑party servers; self‑hosting can restore control and reduce costs.

Outcome

The author replaced 11 SaaS services with self‑hosted equivalents, achieving RAM usage ranging from ~128 MB (Vaultwarden) to ~4 GB (Immich) and gaining ownership of data and cost control.

Workflow

• 1. Identify a paid SaaS you use.
• 2. Choose the corresponding self‑hosted app from HomelabDeck.
• 3. Deploy it in a small LXC container or Docker host.
• 4. Copy the provided docker‑compose.yml and adjust paths.
• 5. Add a reverse proxy (e.g., Nginx Proxy Manager).
• 6. Configure backups before trusting it with real data.

Evidence

I replaced 11 SaaS apps with self-hosted ones in a homelab: here is what each one really costs in RAM

Source

Subscriptions add up, and your photos, passwords and documents sit on someone else's servers. Self-hosting gets that control back

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RAM numbers are estimates from my tests; real usage grows with library size and users.

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Pick one app that replaces something you pay for today.

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