The issue of subscription fatigue is increasingly common. It begins innocently with a $20 monthly fee and then adds on more charges, quickly escalating to hundreds of dollars each month for services that often go unused. If you happen to have a Raspberry Pi lying around, you can transform it into a compact self-hosting center capable of substituting several of those subscription services, provided you take the necessary precautions.
Here are four subscription-based services I’ve started utilizing on an extra Raspberry Pi I found tucked away.
Turn Your Pi into a Backup Server
Add an External Hard Drive
Backups are essential, and if you wish to avoid ongoing fees from cloud-based solutions like Dropbox, consider converting your Raspberry Pi into a backup server. You will need to attach a hard drive via a USB enclosure, but compared to the annual $100 or more you’d spend for similar cloud storage, this option is quite economical.
One of the simplest solutions I use for this purpose is Seafile, designed for file synchronization and sharing with end-to-end encryption. If you need straightforward file backup, it’s hard to beat. However, after some experimenting, I ultimately chose Nextcloud instead.
Nextcloud operates like a personal Google Drive or OneDrive, offering self-hosted file synchronization accessible via desktop, mobile, and web interfaces. It also includes a word processor, presentation software, and a plethora of additional features.
Do note, you’ll require a Raspberry Pi 4 or 5, as Nextcloud can be resource-intensive. Also, it’s your responsibility to ensure your backups are secure, especially for crucial documents.
Immich as a Google Photos Alternative
Proven to be Stable
If you want a seamless experience for automatically backing up phone photos akin to Google Photos, consider using Immich. It offers features such as timeline views, search capabilities, and mobile auto-upload, similar to Google Photos.
This service needs a Pi 4 or 5 with sufficient RAM (around 8GB), and larger libraries will require adequate external storage. I recommend steering clear of storing important photos on a microSD card, as this could lead to potential data loss.
Vaultwarden as Your Personal Password Manager
Compatible with Existing Bitwarden Apps
Vaultwarden is a lightweight open-source server that is entirely compatible with standard Bitwarden apps and browser extensions. This solution can replace many Bitwarden subscription features, which costs around $40 per year.
It’s an excellent choice for privacy-conscious users on a budget, as it even runs smoothly on a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W, which costs about $20.
However, self-hosting comes with risks. Your Pi will store your password vault; while it’s secured with strong encryption, hardware failures could lead to irreversible loss. Ensure you have regular backups to maintain access.
Pi-hole as a Replacement for Premium DNS Services
Block Trackers and Malware Effectively
Many alternate DNS services offer basic malware and content filtering, while others, like NextDNS, provide more detailed controls.
If you prefer a no-cost solution with manual control, consider using a Pi-hole. It functions as a DNS sinkhole, blocking advertisements and trackers across your entire network. Instead of monthly fees for premium DNS filtering or add-ons from VPN providers, you can use Pi-hole to protect all devices in your home simultaneously.
Bear in mind, since it operates at the DNS level, it won’t catch every single in-app or first-party advertisement. You may occasionally need to manually allow certain blocked domains. An older or lower-powered Pi can handle this task smoothly.
Running Multiple Services on One Pi
Preparation is Key
If you plan to run several services on a single Pi, you’ll need to follow a few guidelines.
First, utilize Docker for installations whenever possible, as it simplifies managing multiple services. Second, opt for booting from a USB SSD rather than a microSD card, as SSDs are generally faster and last longer. Lastly, remember that self-hosting places the responsibility on you—back up configurations, databases, and essential data regularly.
Accessing Your Pi from Anywhere
Your Pi will handle several significant tasks, so you’ll want remote access, not just local. Instead of exposing your services directly to the web, consider setting up a self-hosted WireGuard server (which can run on a Pi) or using Tailscale for secure access. Both options are well-regarded and straightforward to implement.
