Automation
Self-host Open WebUI on a VPS
A ChatGPT-style UI for your own models.
A polished chat interface over Ollama and OpenAI-compatible APIs, with users and RAG.
Why self-host Open WebUI?
Open WebUI turns a local model server into a usable, multi-user product for your team.
How to install Open WebUI
- 1
Provision a VPS
Choose a plan with room for your data as well as the app.
- 2
Install the stack
Install Python + (Ollama/OpenAI-compatible backend).
- 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 Open WebUI its own database user with rights only on its own schema.
- Reverse-proxy Open WebUI 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 Open WebUI patched — most self-hosting incidents are unpatched software.
Frequently asked questions
- How much RAM does Open WebUI need?
- Plan on 4–8 GB for typical use; add headroom if you expect many concurrent users.
- What stack does Open WebUI run on?
- Python + (Ollama/OpenAI-compatible backend).
- Can I run other things on the same VPS?
- Yes — size the plan so Open WebUI plus your other workloads fit in RAM with room to spare.
Looking for something else? Popular alternatives include LibreChat, LocalAI, ChatGPT (hosted) — browse all app guides.