Analytics
Self-host Metabase on a VPS
Ask questions of your data without SQL.
Connect a database and build dashboards and questions with a friendly, point-and-click interface.
Why self-host Metabase?
Metabase lets non-technical people explore company data safely, on your own server.
How to install Metabase
- 1
Provision a VPS
Choose a plan with room for your data as well as the app.
- 2
Install the stack
Install Java + PostgreSQL/MySQL.
- 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 Metabase its own database user with rights only on its own schema.
- Reverse-proxy Metabase 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 Metabase patched — most self-hosting incidents are unpatched software.
Frequently asked questions
- How much RAM does Metabase need?
- Plan on 2–4 GB for typical use; add headroom if you expect many concurrent users.
- What stack does Metabase run on?
- Java + PostgreSQL/MySQL.
- Can I run other things on the same VPS?
- Yes — size the plan so Metabase plus your other workloads fit in RAM with room to spare.
Looking for something else? Popular alternatives include Grafana, Redash, Superset — browse all app guides.