After sharing my first list of self-hosted tools, I realized something interesting:
my home server isn't just replacing SaaS apps anymore, it’s replacing habits.
Instead of doom-scrolling feeds, losing track of articles, or fighting with resume builders, I now rely on a second set of self-hosted tools that handle content consumption, learning, and utility tasks.
Here are five more services I run daily, all self-hosted using Docker.
The Stack
Why I Keep Expanding My Self-Hosted Stack
At this point, self-hosting is less about saving money and more about intentional software.
What I care about now:
- No algorithms deciding what I read
- Offline-friendly content
- Tools that do one thing well
- Full control over my data
- Apps that don’t disappear behind a paywall
These five tools fit that philosophy perfectly.
1. FreshRSS – Taking Back Control of My Reading
What it replaces: Feedly, Inoreader, Twitter/X, Google News, etc
Best for: News, blogs, YouTube channels, Reddit, updates
Where: Browser, Android (via FeedMe)
FreshRSS is the backbone of how I consume information.
Instead of relying on social media or algorithm-driven feeds, I subscribe directly to blogs, YouTube channels, and news sources I actually care about.
Why FreshRSS Is a Game Changer
- Chronological, distraction-free reading
- Tags, filters, and categories
- Supports thousands of feeds
- Extremely lightweight
- Works with almost any RSS client
I use it to follow:
- Tech blogs
- Open-source projects
- DevOps updates
- Personal blogs
- And more
No rage-bait. No engagement tricks. Just content - on my terms.
2. Booklore - My Personal Digital Library
What it replaces: Goodreads, Kindle notes, random folders
Best for: Tracking and organizing books
Where: Browser
Booklore is one of those tools that feels small - until you start using it.
Why I Love It
- Clean and simple UI
- Self-hosted book tracking
- No ads, no social pressure
- Full control over metadata
- Easy backups
I plan to use Booklore to:
- Track reading progress (just 2 books for now haha)
- Plan future reading
- Keep notes on technical books
- Maintain a long-term reading archive
It's calm, focused, and does exactly what I need.
3. Audiobookshelf - Your Own Audible, Minus the Lock-In
What it replaces: Audible, cloud-based audiobook apps
Best for: Audiobooks and podcasts
Where: Android, iOS, Browser
It turns your audiobook collection into a polished streaming platform, complete with progress syncing and mobile apps.
Why It’s Amazing
- Supports audiobooks and podcasts
- Beautiful UI
- Remembers listening position
- Mobile apps + web player
- Metadata fetching and organization
I plan to use it for:
- Tech and productivity audiobooks
- Long-form learning
- Podcasts I want to archive
No DRM. No subscriptions. Just my library, everywhere.
4. IT-Tools – The Swiss Army Knife for Developers
What it replaces: Random online tools, shady websites
Best for: Dev utilities and quick conversions
Where: Browser
IT-Tools is one of those things you don’t realize you need… until you have it.
It’s a collection of dozens of small utilities that developers constantly Google for.
Tools I Use the Most
- JSON formatter
- Base64 encoder/decoder
- UUID generator
- Hash generators
- Date/time tools
- Regex helpers
Why I Self-Host It
- Works offline
- No tracking
- No ads
- Instant access on my network
It’s bookmarked on every device I own.
5. Reactive Resume - My Resume, Always Ready
What it replaces: Online resume builders
Best for: Resume creation and versioning
Where: Browser
Reactive Resume solves a very specific problem:
I want a great resume, but I don’t want my career data locked behind a SaaS platform.
Why It's Worth Hosting
- Clean, modern resume templates
- JSON-based resume data
- Multiple versions for different roles
- Export to PDF
- Fully self-hosted
I use it to:
- Maintain different resumes
- Quickly tailor applications
- Keep my career history backed up
No watermarks. No subscriptions. No surprises.
Docker Setup (Same Philosophy, Same Simplicity)
Just like my first stack, everything here runs in Docker using Docker Compose.
Each service has:
- Its own container
- Persistent volumes
- Reverse proxy routing
- HTTPS via Let's Encrypt (if needed)
Once the base setup exists, adding services like these takes minutes - not hours.
Resource Usage (Still Very Reasonable)
Even with this expanded stack, resource usage stays low.
Typical requirements:
- FreshRSS: extremely light
- IT-Tools: negligible
- Booklore: very light
- Audiobookshelf: moderate (storage-heavy, CPU-light)
- Reactive Resume: minimal
This entire setup runs comfortably on the same home server without breaking a sweat.
Final Thoughts
Self-hosting isn't about running everything yourself.
It's about choosing the right things to own.
With these five tools, I’ve taken control of:
- What I read
- What I listen to
- How I manage my knowledge
- How I apply for jobs
- How I work day-to-day as a developer
Combined with my first list, my home server now replaces:
- Notes / journaling → Anynote
- Password managers → Vaultwarden
- Knowledge bases / documentation → AFFiNE
- Bookmarks / link management → Linkwarden
- Task management / Kanban → Vikunja
- RSS readers / feed aggregators → FreshRSS
- Book tracking / library management → Booklore
- Audiobooks / podcasts → Audiobookshelf
- Dev utilities / quick tools → IT-Tools
- Resume builders / CV tools → Reactive Resume
And honestly?
I wouldn't go back.
If you're building your own self-hosted stack, this is a fantastic second wave of services to try.
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