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Security

Self-host PrivateBin on a VPS

A minimalist, encrypted pastebin.

Share text and files with client-side encryption and optional expiry, on your own server.

Why self-host PrivateBin?

PrivateBin keeps shared snippets encrypted so the server never sees the content.

How to install PrivateBin

  1. 1

    Provision a VPS

    Choose a plan with room for your data as well as the app.

  2. 2

    Install the stack

    Install PHP (or Docker).

  3. 3

    Deploy the application

    Follow the project’s official install guide for your distribution.

  4. 4

    Enable HTTPS

    Serve it on your own domain behind a reverse proxy with a certificate.

  5. 5

    Back it up

    Schedule a database dump plus a copy of any uploaded files to an off-box location.

Practical tips

  • Give PrivateBin its own database user with rights only on its own schema.
  • Reverse-proxy PrivateBin 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 PrivateBin patched — most self-hosting incidents are unpatched software.

Frequently asked questions

How much RAM does PrivateBin need?
Plan on 256 MB–512 MB for typical use; add headroom if you expect many concurrent users.
What stack does PrivateBin run on?
PHP (or Docker).
Can I run other things on the same VPS?
Yes — size the plan so PrivateBin plus your other workloads fit in RAM with room to spare.

Looking for something else? Popular alternatives include Hastebin (self), Coderpad (hosted), Pastebin (hosted) — browse all app guides.