Guides
Articles
Start Here: From Zero to a Working Homelab
Not sure where to begin? This is the reading order through Budget Homelab, from your first mini PC to a fully self-hosted stack.
How to Build a Homelab on a Budget
How to build a homelab on a budget: a real, working build covering hardware, setup, and what you can actually run, with a full parts list, under $300 total.
Homelab Backup Strategy: 3-2-1 Made Simple
A practical backup strategy for your homelab that actually gets done: what to back up, where to put it, and how to automate it without overcomplicating it.
Best Self-Hosted Apps for Beginners
The five best apps to self-host first, chosen for low complexity, high value, and real impact on your privacy and monthly bill.
Open-Source Google Workspace Alternatives
Google Workspace costs $72-$216/user/year. These self-hosted alternatives cover email, docs, calendar, and storage, and they run on hardware you already own.
Build a Homelab for Under $500 in 2026
How to split a $500 homelab budget across compute, storage, and networking: which mini PC to buy, what to skip, and what to add first as you grow.
Homelab Subreddit Hardware Buying Guide
What r/homelab and r/selfhosted actually recommend for hardware, and what the forum consensus gets right and wrong for budget builds.
The Budget Homelab Starter Stack: 5 Services
Skip the overwhelm. These five self-hosted services cover file sync, password management, reverse proxying, remote access, and document storage.
What Is a Homelab? A Plain-English Intro
A homelab is a server you run at home. Here's what that actually means, what people do with them, and how to figure out if you need one.
Why Self-Hosting Matters in 2026
Cloud services keep getting pricier and less private. The cost, privacy, and time case for building your own homelab this year, trade-offs included.