My experience replacing 4 SaaS subscriptions with self-hosted alternatives in 2026

Description and use

Saved approximately $290/year, with a net break-even after ~5 years considering NAS cost and electricity.

Problem

The author wanted to reduce recurring SaaS costs while retaining data control.

Outcome

Saved approximately $290/year, with a net break-even after ~5 years considering NAS cost and electricity.

Workflow

• 1. Replace Google Drive with Nextcloud on NAS, configure SSL via Caddy, sync mobile apps, and use secure links. 2. Add Dropbox data to the same Nextcloud instance with separate user accounts. 3. Replace 1Password with Vaultwarden container, import CSV, and connect mobile apps. 4. Replace Trello with Focalboard, set up SQLite-backed instance.
• 5. Monitor maintenance: 2–4 hours/month for updates, backups, and monitoring.
• 6. Document setup for future troubleshooting.