Outline Server

Self-Hosted

Open-source proxy server for secure, censorship-resistant internet access

Overview

Outline Server is an open-source proxy solution built by Jigsaw (Google subsidiary) to bypass censorship and enable private internet access. It uses the Shadowsocks protocol for fast, reliable connections and can be deployed easily via the Outline Manager app to cloud providers like AWS, GCP, or DigitalOcean. The intuitive dashboard lets you manage multiple user keys, track bandwidth usage, and revoke access anytime. It supports cross-platform clients (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux) for seamless connectivity across devices.

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:
  outline_server:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: outline-server
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

Simplified cloud deployment (AWS, GCP, DigitalOcean via Outline Manager)
Intuitive dashboard for user key management & bandwidth tracking
Cross-platform client compatibility (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux)

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is Outline Server hard to install?

No—Outline Manager guides you through cloud deployment (AWS, GCP, DigitalOcean) with a few clicks. No manual server config is needed, though you’ll need a cloud account with billing enabled.

? Is Outline Server a good alternative to proprietary VPNs?

Yes—for users who want control over their data. Unlike proprietary VPNs, Outline doesn’t log activity (by default) and lets you manage your own server, though it requires hosting costs vs. subscriptions.

? Is Outline Server completely free?

The software is free and open-source, but you pay for cloud server hosting (e.g., $5/month on DigitalOcean) to run your instance.

Top Alternatives

NordVPN (proprietary VPN service) Search Google

ExpressVPN (proprietary VPN service) Search Google

Surfshark (proprietary VPN service) Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Free/Open Source

Category Proxy

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Privacy-focused (no activity logging by default)
⊕ No recurring subscription fees (self-hosted)
⊕ Fast connections via Shadowsocks protocol

Cons

⊖ Requires cloud server hosting (small monthly cost)
⊖ Needs basic cloud account setup (billing, API access)
⊖ Limited to Shadowsocks protocol (no other proxy options)