Media
Self-host Emby on a VPS
A fast media server with a strong client ecosystem.
Stream your media with automatic metadata, transcoding and apps across most devices. Some features require an Emby Premiere licence.
Why self-host Emby?
Emby sits between Plex and Jellyfin: broadly-compatible clients and solid transcoding, with a smaller (open-core) footprint than Plex.
How to install Emby
- 1
Provision a VPS
Choose a plan with room for your data as well as the app.
- 2
Install the stack
Install Native package or Docker.
- 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 Emby its own database user with rights only on its own schema.
- Reverse-proxy Emby 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 Emby patched — most self-hosting incidents are unpatched software.
Frequently asked questions
- How much RAM does Emby need?
- Plan on 4 GB for typical use; add headroom if you expect many concurrent users.
- What stack does Emby run on?
- Native package or Docker.
- Can I run other things on the same VPS?
- Yes — size the plan so Emby plus your other workloads fit in RAM with room to spare.
Looking for something else? Popular alternatives include Plex, Jellyfin, Kodi — browse all app guides.