DietPi

Self-Hosted

Lightweight, optimized OS for self-hosting on SBCs and virtual machines

Overview

DietPi is a minimal, Debian-based operating system tailored for self-hosting on single-board computers (SBCs like Raspberry Pi, Odroid) and virtual machines. It prioritizes ultra-low resource consumption, fast performance, and streamlined setup for self-hosted services. Its core feature, DietPi-Software, is a built-in installer that lets users deploy over 100 popular apps (Nextcloud, Pi-hole, Plex, Jellyfin) with one click. It includes automatic security updates, custom hardware optimization, and supports headless operation (no desktop needed). Deployment is simple: flash the image to an SD card/VM disk, follow the guided setup, and start hosting apps efficiently without bloat. It’s ideal for users looking to maximize their hardware’s potential while avoiding the overhead of full desktop OSes.

Self-Hosting Resources

Find Official Image on Docker Hub View Source & Docs

Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml. ⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.

docker-compose.template.yml TEMPLATE


version: '3'
services:
  dietpi:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: dietpi
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

Minimal Debian-based OS with ultra-low resource footprint
One-click installer for 100+ popular self-hosted apps
Optimized for SBCs (Raspberry Pi, Odroid) and virtual machines

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is DietPi easy to install?

Yes—download the image for your device/VM, flash it to storage, then follow the guided command-line setup wizard. Basic deployment requires no advanced skills, though some apps may need additional configuration.

? Can DietPi run on virtual machines?

Absolutely! DietPi supports VMs like Proxmox, VirtualBox, VMware, and KVM. Its low resource usage makes it perfect for virtualized self-hosting environments.

? Is DietPi completely free?

Yes—DietPi is 100% free and open-source under the GPLv2 license. There are no hidden costs or subscriptions, and users can modify/distribute it freely.

Top Alternatives

Armbian (SBC-optimized server OS) Search Google

Ubuntu Server (general-purpose server OS) Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Free/Open Source

Category Self-hosting Solutions

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Maximizes hardware efficiency with minimal resource usage
⊕ Simplifies deployment of self-hosted services via built-in tools

Cons

⊖ Requires basic Linux knowledge for advanced configurations
⊖ No default graphical desktop (needs manual installation if desired)