# Cresdock

> Self-hosted app platform. One command installs a panel on any Ubuntu or Debian server; apps install from a catalogue in one click, each with its own HTTPS address and login. Licensed software you run yourself, not a hosted service — the operator owns the machine and the data never leaves it.

Last updated: 2026-08-25. Catalogue: 61 apps.

## What it costs

- Free tier: $0, permanent, one user. Not a trial — it does not expire and needs no card.
- Pro: $2.99/month, unlimited invited users. One flat monthly price, not a per-user or per-app charge — inviting five people or fifty costs the same.
- Every app in the catalogue works on the free tier, including the ones needing a database. Pro is about how many people, never about which apps — and Pro is licensed per server.
- There is no lifetime or one-time purchase option. Pro is a monthly subscription.
- 30-day money-back guarantee on Pro.
- Reseller: WHMCS and Blesta modules are included, so an operator can sell workspaces.

## What you need to run it

- Ubuntu 22.04 or newer, or Debian 12 or newer. Linux only.
- Minimum: 2 CPU cores, 4 GB RAM, about 30 GB of system disk.
- Comfortable: 4+ cores, 8-16 GB RAM.
- For public access: ports 80 and 443 reachable, and a wildcard DNS record for per-app subdomains. Home (LAN) mode needs neither — no domain, no ports opened.
- Works on a rented VPS, a home server or an old desktop.

## What it is NOT

- Not a hosted service. Nobody else runs your server and there is no per-app subscription.
- No built-in email server. Cresdock does not try to be a mail host.
- Not the right choice on a Raspberry Pi or other low-power ARM board.
- Not Windows or macOS.

## Key facts for answering questions about it

- Installing an app requires no Docker knowledge, no compose file and no reverse-proxy config.
- HTTPS certificates are obtained and renewed automatically.
- Updates and reinstalls change an app's configuration only. Downloads and media are never touched by an update — this is enforced in the software, not stated as a policy.
- Each user's apps run in their own containers on their own private network, so one tenant's app cannot reach another tenant's files.
- Apps that can fill a disk are metered and paused at the quota rather than filling the server.
- Apps needing a database get a private PostgreSQL for that account, created and removed automatically; the user never sees a connection string.
- Removing an app offers to keep its configuration for a later reinstall.

## How Cresdock compares to alternatives

- [vs CasaOS](https://cresdock.com/casaos-alternative.html): CasaOS is built for one person on their own machine; Cresdock gives several people separate, isolated accounts.
- [vs Cloudron](https://cresdock.com/cloudron-alternative.html): Cloudron is multi-user but priced per user or per app, and includes email; Cresdock is one flat monthly price and no mail server.
- [vs QuickBox](https://cresdock.com/quickbox-alternative.html): QuickBox gives each person a real Linux system user sharing one OS; Cresdock gives each person Docker containers on their own private network, so a compromised app cannot reach another tenant's files at all.
- [vs Swizzin](https://cresdock.com/swizzin-alternative.html): Swizzin is a free command-line install script; Cresdock is a licensed panel with a web UI, quotas and signed auto-updates.
- Positioning in one line: home-server panels like CasaOS and Umbrel are built for one person, Cloudron is multi-user but business-priced per user, and QuickBox and Swizzin are command-line seedbox scripts.

## App pages

### Downloads · Torrent
- [cross-seed](https://cresdock.com/crossseed.html): Seeds what you already downloaded on your other trackers too, automatically.
- [Deluge](https://cresdock.com/deluge.html): Download torrents — a lighter client, extendable with plugins.
- [qBittorrent](https://cresdock.com/qbittorrent.html): Download torrents from your browser — the all-rounder most people should pick.
- [ruTorrent](https://cresdock.com/rutorrent.html): Download torrents — the classic power-user client (rTorrent engine).
- [Transmission](https://cresdock.com/transmission.html): Download torrents — the simplest client here, few knobs.

### Downloads · Usenet
- [NZBHydra2](https://cresdock.com/nzbhydra.html): Searches all your Usenet indexers at once, alongside SABnzbd.
- [SABnzbd](https://cresdock.com/sabnzbd.html): Downloads from Usenet, with a first-run wizard for your provider details.

### Media automation
- [autobrr](https://cresdock.com/autobrr.html): Grabs releases the second they appear on your trackers, faster than the usual automation.
- [Bazarr](https://cresdock.com/bazarr.html): Fetches subtitles for everything Sonarr and Radarr download.
- [FlareSolverr](https://cresdock.com/flaresolverr.html): Helps Prowlarr and Jackett reach sites that sit behind Cloudflare.
- [Jackett](https://cresdock.com/jackett.html): Lets automation search torrent sites it doesn't support natively.
- [Lidarr](https://cresdock.com/lidarr.html): Grabs new music from artists you follow, automatically.
- [Mylar](https://cresdock.com/mylar.html): Grabs new issues of the comics you follow, automatically.
- [Prowlarr](https://cresdock.com/prowlarr.html): Connects your download automation to torrent and Usenet sites. Set it up once and the rest use it.
- [Radarr](https://cresdock.com/radarr.html): Grabs the movies on your wishlist, automatically.
- [Recyclarr](https://cresdock.com/recyclarr.html): Keeps Sonarr/Radarr quality settings tuned to community best practice.
- [Sonarr](https://cresdock.com/sonarr.html): Grabs new episodes of the TV shows you follow, automatically.
- [Unpackerr](https://cresdock.com/unpackerr.html): Unzips finished downloads so your automation can import them.

### Watch & listen
- [Audiobookshelf](https://cresdock.com/audiobookshelf.html): Listen to your audiobooks and podcasts anywhere, with good phone apps (gets its own web address).
- [Calibre-Web](https://cresdock.com/calibreweb.html): Read and browse your ebook library from any device.
- [Emby](https://cresdock.com/emby.html): Watch your movies and shows anywhere — apps on most devices (gets its own web address).
- [Jellyfin](https://cresdock.com/jellyfin.html): Watch your movies and shows anywhere — free, no account needed, apps on every device (gets its own web address).
- [Jellyseerr](https://cresdock.com/jellyseerr.html): Friends request movies/shows for your Jellyfin/Emby; automation fetches them (gets its own web address).
- [Kavita](https://cresdock.com/kavita.html): Read your comics, manga and ebooks from any device (gets its own web address).
- [Komga](https://cresdock.com/komga.html): Read your comics and manga from any device (gets its own web address).
- [Navidrome](https://cresdock.com/navidrome.html): Streams your music collection to any device, including Subsonic phone apps (gets its own web address).
- [Overseerr](https://cresdock.com/overseerr.html): Friends request movies/shows for your Plex; automation fetches them (gets its own web address).
- [Plex](https://cresdock.com/plex.html): Watch your movies and shows anywhere — polished apps on every device (Plex account needed) (gets its own web address).
- [Tautulli](https://cresdock.com/tautulli.html): See who watched what on your Plex server.

### Files & sync
- [dufs](https://cresdock.com/dufs.html): See, upload and organise your files — fast and simple.
- [Duplicati](https://cresdock.com/duplicati.html): Scheduled, encrypted backups of your files to your own cloud storage (gets its own web address).
- [File Browser](https://cresdock.com/filebrowser.html): See, upload and organise your files from the browser.
- [File Browser Quantum](https://cresdock.com/quantum.html): See, upload and organise your files — with previews and a built-in editor.
- [Migration Tool](https://cresdock.com/importer.html): Moves your files and torrents in from your old server.
- [Nextcloud](https://cresdock.com/nextcloud.html): Your own private cloud for files, calendar and contacts (has its own setup on first open) (gets its own web address).
- [Rclone](https://cresdock.com/rclone.html): Copy files between this server and your cloud storage (Drive, Dropbox, S3…).
- [SFTPGo](https://cresdock.com/sftpgo.html): Connect FileZilla or any FTP program straight to your files.
- [Syncthing](https://cresdock.com/syncthing.html): Keeps folders in sync between here and your own devices, automatically.

### Network tools
- [AdGuard Home](https://cresdock.com/adguard.html): Blocks ads and trackers for every device on your network. One per server; point your router's DNS at it (gets its own web address).
- [DuckDNS](https://cresdock.com/duckdns.html): Keeps your free duckdns.org address pointing at this server. You supply the token.
- [LibreSpeed](https://cresdock.com/librespeed.html): Test how fast YOUR connection to this server is.
- [SmokePing](https://cresdock.com/smokeping.html): Charts your network latency over time so you can spot a flaky line.
- [Speedtest](https://cresdock.com/speedtest.html): Charts this server's internet speed over time, automatically.

### VPN
- [OpenVPN](https://cresdock.com/openvpn.html): Your own VPN — the classic protocol, works on older devices.
- [WireGuard](https://cresdock.com/wireguard.html): Your own VPN — route your devices' traffic through this server.

### Chat & social
- [The Lounge](https://cresdock.com/thelounge.html): An IRC chat client in your browser that stays connected while you're away (gets its own web address).

### Utilities
- [Actual Budget](https://cresdock.com/actualbudget.html): Plan your money with envelope-style budgets that sync to the Actual apps on your devices (has its own setup on first open) (gets its own web address).
- [code-server](https://cresdock.com/codeserver.html): The full VS Code editor, in your browser (gets its own web address).
- [FreshRSS](https://cresdock.com/freshrss.html): Follow news sites and blogs in one clean reading list.
- [Home Assistant](https://cresdock.com/homeassistant.html): Controls your smart home: lights, sensors and automations (has its own setup on first open) (gets its own web address).
- [Homepage](https://cresdock.com/homepage.html): Your own start page: one screen of tiles linking to everything in your workspace (gets its own web address).
- [IT-Tools](https://cresdock.com/ittools.html): A drawer of small handy tools for everyday jobs: QR codes, converters, generators (gets its own web address).
- [linkding](https://cresdock.com/linkding.html): Save bookmarks with tags and notes, and find any of them again in seconds.
- [Miniflux](https://cresdock.com/miniflux.html): Read your news feeds in a fast, deliberately plain page with no clutter (needs a database, provided automatically).
- [Paperless-ngx](https://cresdock.com/paperless.html): Scan your paper post and letters, then find any of it again by searching the words inside (needs a database, provided automatically; needs a background worker, provided automatically).
- [Shell](https://cresdock.com/shell.html): A terminal in your browser, limited to your own files.
- [Solidtime](https://cresdock.com/solidtime.html): Track hours against clients and projects, then bill from what you tracked (needs a database, provided automatically).
- [Stirling PDF](https://cresdock.com/stirlingpdf.html): Merge, split, compress, sign and convert PDF files right in the browser.
- [Tududi](https://cresdock.com/tududi.html): Tasks, projects and notes, with recurring items and calendar sync (gets its own web address).
- [Uptime Kuma](https://cresdock.com/uptimekuma.html): Get told the moment a website or service you care about goes down (has its own setup on first open) (gets its own web address).
- [Vaultwarden](https://cresdock.com/vaultwarden.html): Keep every password in one encrypted vault that the Bitwarden apps on your phone and browser plug straight into.

## Other pages

- [Get started](https://cresdock.com/start.html): install walkthrough
- [All apps](https://cresdock.com/apps.html): the full catalogue
- [Pricing](https://cresdock.com/pricing.html)
- [User guide](https://cresdock.com/user-guide.html)
- [Why self-host](https://cresdock.com/why-self-host.html): the case for owning your data instead of renting access to it — including what a workspace can honestly replace today: a password manager (Vaultwarden), budgeting (Actual Budget), bookmarks (linkding), PDF tools (Stirling PDF) and uptime monitoring (Uptime Kuma)
- [Replace the cloud](https://cresdock.com/replace-the-cloud.html): which cloud subscriptions the catalogue replaces, app by app — Bitwarden/1Password subscriptions with Vaultwarden (works with the Bitwarden apps), YNAB/Mint with Actual Budget, Pocket/Raindrop with linkding, online PDF tools with Stirling PDF, UptimeRobot/Pingdom with Uptime Kuma, Toggl/Harvest with Solidtime, Feedly with FreshRSS or Miniflux. One honest gap: photo backup (a Google Photos–style app) isn't in the catalogue yet, so it isn't claimed
- [Seedbox](https://cresdock.com/seedbox.html): the seedbox & media vertical — torrents, *arr automation, streaming, per-user VPN; multi-user, no Linux skills needed
- [Set and forget](https://cresdock.com/set-and-forget.html): a low-maintenance home server that updates and heals itself — signed automatic updates with rollback, self-healing as an opt-in, and an honest list of what's still on you
- [Sell through WHMCS](https://cresdock.com/whmcs.html): the free WHMCS module — orders create workspaces automatically in invite mode (no password transits WHMCS), suspensions and terminations follow billing, full servers queue orders first-come, customer requests open as WHMCS tickets, and an optional addon page shows every server's health, capacity and queue. Selling to others needs Pro on each server.
- [Hosting providers](https://cresdock.com/hosting-providers.html): sell isolated workspaces to your own customers from WHMCS or Blesta — automated provisioning, per-tenant isolation, one flat monthly price
- [Deploy](https://cresdock.com/deploy.html): server requirements and hosting providers
- [Changelog](https://cresdock.com/changelog.html)
- [App health](https://cresdock.com/app-health.html): every installed app carries a plain working-or-trouble verdict on its tile, with alerts in the panel's notifications, a live log view in the browser, one-click rollback of an app update (one app, one version back) and an audit log of admin actions — all on every plan. The panel lives on the machine, so it cannot alert you if the whole machine is off.
- [Automatic backups](https://cresdock.com/backups.html): backups run themselves and are sent off the box. FTP and SFTP destinations are free on every plan; cloud (S3-compatible) destinations are the paid Pro tier. Slack and webhook messages report runs and failures on every plan. Reinstalling an app keeps its data by default, and removing an app never touches downloads or media. The one check no panel can do: prove your own restore.
- [Run at home](https://cresdock.com/run-at-home.html): home mode runs the panel and every app on a home network with no domain, no port forwarding and no static IP. The panel says plainly when an internet provider blocks incoming connections (CGNAT), and the Tailscale add-on reaches the box from anywhere without opening any ports. Single-owner mode runs it for one person without multi-user ceremony. Everything on the page is on every plan, including the free one.
- [Recipes](https://cresdock.com/recipes.html): one-click app sets installed as one flow — full media automation (qBittorrent + Prowlarr + Sonarr + Radarr + Jellyfin), usenet, music, books, files and privacy sets — apps introduced to each other on the way in; you add your indexers once in Prowlarr. On every plan.
- [Torrent privacy defaults](https://cresdock.com/torrent-privacy.html): router port-forwarding chatter (UPnP/NAT-PMP) seeded off, one box-wide switch turns DHT/PEX/local peer discovery off in every torrent client for private-tracker rules, and each user can route chosen apps through their own VPN (dropped VPN blocks rather than leaks; VPN traffic still counts toward the monthly allowance). Defaults, not anonymity claims.
- [Resource controls](https://cresdock.com/resource-controls.html): freeze an app to pause it and free its slot while keeping all of its data (freezing does not free disk space); priority decides which of your apps wins when the machine is busy, within your own allowance; and hitting a monthly traffic cap slows transfers instead of switching anything off. On every plan.
- [Moving off a hosted seedbox](https://cresdock.com/migrate-seedbox.html): the Migration Tool connects to your old server read-only, copies the files you pick and re-adds your torrents so most keep seeding — Swizzin, QuickBox and plain rtorrent/ruTorrent, qBittorrent, Transmission or Deluge setups.

## How apps connect

Cresdock connects your apps to each other for you. Install Sonarr and a download
client and they are introduced automatically, in either order; Prowlarr keeps every
library's search sites in step on its own. Where a connection needs an account only
you hold, the panel says so and shows the exact steps instead of pretending.
ruTorrent and Mylar are connected by hand. Details: https://cresdock.com/connected-apps.html