Self-host Watchtower on a VPS

Why self-host Watchtower?

Watchtower keeps self-hosted containers patched with minimal effort, when configured carefully.

How to install Watchtower

1. 1

   Provision a VPS

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

2. 2

   Install the stack

   Install Go + Docker socket.

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

Frequently asked questions

How much RAM does Watchtower need?

Plan on 256 MB for typical use; add headroom if you expect many concurrent users.

What stack does Watchtower run on?

Go + Docker socket.

Can I run other things on the same VPS?

Yes — size the plan so Watchtower plus your other workloads fit in RAM with room to spare.

Looking for something else? Popular alternatives include Diun, Renovate, Manual updates — browse all app guides.