Self-host LimeSurvey on a VPS

Why self-host LimeSurvey?

LimeSurvey handles serious research surveys and keeps respondent data on your own server.

How to install LimeSurvey

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 + MySQL/MariaDB.

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

Frequently asked questions

How much RAM does LimeSurvey need?

Plan on 2 GB for typical use; add headroom if you expect many concurrent users.

What stack does LimeSurvey run on?

PHP + MySQL/MariaDB.

Can I run other things on the same VPS?

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

Looking for something else? Popular alternatives include CryptPad Forms, Formbricks, Qualtrics (hosted) — browse all app guides.