Deploy AFFiNE on Elestio: Managed Hosting Guide

Managed AFFiNE hosting is now available on Elestio. You can launch a dedicated AFFiNE instance while Elestio handles the supporting infrastructure, automated backups, TLS, monitoring, and updates. This is the managed path for teams that want control over where their workspace runs without taking on routine server operations.

TL;DR

• Managed AFFiNE hosting on Elestio starts at $11 per month as of July 30, 2026.
• Elestio provisions a dedicated instance and includes automated backups, TLS, monitoring, alerts, and managed application and system updates.
• You can choose a supported cloud provider, region, instance size, support level, and update schedule.
• This is different from running the official Docker Compose stack yourself: Elestio owns routine infrastructure operations, while you keep access to and control over your AFFiNE workspace.
• Before upgrading an existing deployment to AFFiNE 0.27, update every client to version 0.26 or later.

In this guide

• What managed AFFiNE hosting on Elestio means
• Managed hosting vs. self-hosting vs. private cloud
• What Elestio manages
• How to deploy AFFiNE on Elestio
• Pre-launch checklist
• Frequently asked questions

What managed AFFiNE hosting on Elestio means

Managed AFFiNE hosting is a dedicated AFFiNE deployment in which a hosting partner provisions and maintains the supporting server environment. You use the AFFiNE workspace, while the provider manages infrastructure tasks such as installation, TLS, monitoring, backups, and updates according to the service plan you select.

AFFiNE brings documents, whiteboards, and databases into one open-source workspace. The official AFFiNE deployment page now presents three operating models: self-hosting, managed hosting through Elestio, and a scoped private-cloud rollout for organizations with more specific requirements.

Elestio is the live managed option. It is an external service rather than AFFiNE Cloud: your Elestio account covers infrastructure choice, billing, and managed operations. AFFiNE remains the product layer and continues to provide its documentation, community, and product support paths.

This split is useful when you want a private AFFiNE instance but do not want your team to own every operating task. It also keeps the choice reversible. AFFiNE content is portable, and Elestio documents both migration into its service and migration out to another provider. Test any migration with a pilot workspace before moving production data.

Managed hosting vs. self-hosting vs. private cloud

The editor and workspace experience remain familiar across the three paths. What changes is who operates the infrastructure and how much control or customization your team needs.

Managed hosting does not remove every technical decision. You still choose where the instance runs, how much capacity it has, when updates happen, how long backups are retained, and who administers the workspace. The difference is that the provider supplies the operating platform and handles its routine maintenance.

What Elestio manages

Elestio describes itself as a managed open-source platform for more than 400 open-source software packages, available through 9 cloud providers plus bring-your-own-VM options, across 100+ regions in 20 countries. For AFFiNE, the practical value is the operating layer around the application.

Provisioning and infrastructure choice

The Elestio AFFiNE deployment page lets you choose a provider, region, and instance size before launch. Elestio filters out instance types it considers too small for AFFiNE, then shows an estimated monthly price before you create the service.

Elestio says AFFiNE starts at $11 per month, but the final amount depends on provider, region, resources, storage, support, and running time. Confirm the current configuration and total in Elestio before purchase.

TLS, firewall, monitoring, and logs

The managed service creates and renews TLS certificates, configures a firewall, and exposes instance metrics, logs, alerts, and an audit trail in the Elestio dashboard. You can also add a custom domain and review CPU, memory, disk, and network behavior without making SSH your primary operating interface.

Application and operating-system updates

Elestio can automatically update AFFiNE and the virtual machine operating system. You can choose an update window, disable automatic application updates, or stay on a specific AFFiNE version when you need a controlled rollout.

Daily backups

Elestio documents daily automated VM snapshots and daily remote backups, with additional local and S3-compatible backup options. Its included first support level lists 7 days of remote backup retention. Higher support levels can change retention and response terms, so select them based on your recovery requirements rather than price alone.

A backup is not a recovery plan until you have tested it. After deployment, create a small test workspace, take a backup, verify that it is visible in the dashboard, and document who is allowed to restore it.

How to deploy AFFiNE on Elestio

The exact dashboard can change, but the current Elestio installation guide follows this flow.

Step 1: Open the AFFiNE service page

Go to Deploy AFFiNE on Elestio and select the deployment CTA. Create an Elestio account or sign in with GitHub, GitLab, Google, or email.

Step 2: Create a new AFFiNE service

In Elestio, create a new service and search for AFFiNE. Select it to open the configuration flow. This starts a separate managed instance rather than connecting to AFFiNE Cloud.

Step 3: Choose a provider and region

Pick the supported cloud provider and region that fit your users, latency needs, and data-location requirements. If you already operate infrastructure, review Elestio's bring-your-own-VM option before deciding whether the standard managed path meets your governance model.

Step 4: Choose resources and support

Select CPU, memory, and storage for the expected workspace size and usage. Then select the support level and check its backup retention, response terms, and available channels. Start with realistic capacity; Elestio documents in-place plan changes if you need to resize later.

Step 5: Set the update policy

By default, Elestio installs the latest available AFFiNE version. In advanced settings you can choose a specific version and schedule or disable automatic application and system updates. For a team deployment, use a maintenance window and communicate client requirements before server upgrades.

Step 6: Review price and create the service

Review the selected provider, region, resources, support, and estimated monthly price. Elestio bills running resources by the hour, so the displayed monthly number is an estimate. Select Create Service when the configuration is correct.

Step 7: Sign in to AFFiNE

When the service shows as ready, open its Elestio administration dashboard. Use the generated URL and credentials to access AFFiNE, change the initial password, configure a custom domain if needed, and create a pilot workspace before inviting the full team.

Pre-launch checklist for a managed AFFiNE instance

Use this checklist before moving important work into the new environment.

• Confirm the selected provider, region, and expected data location.
• Check CPU, memory, disk, and storage-expansion options against your pilot workload.
• Add the production domain and verify TLS renewal.
• Decide whether AFFiNE application updates are automatic, scheduled, or manual.
• Confirm daily backup coverage and the retention included in your selected support level.
• Run one test backup and restore before onboarding the wider team.
• Assign owners for the Elestio account, billing, infrastructure incidents, and AFFiNE workspace administration.
• Route infrastructure, backup, update, and platform issues to Elestio; route AFFiNE product questions through AFFiNE's product support paths.
• If upgrading to AFFiNE 0.27, update every desktop and mobile client to version 0.26 or later before upgrading the server. See the AFFiNE 0.27 release notes and Elestio's 0.27 deployment article.
• Export a small test workspace so your portability process is documented before you need it.

Who should choose managed AFFiNE hosting?

Choose Elestio when you want a dedicated AFFiNE instance and control over provider, region, and resources, but you do not want to build the full backup, monitoring, TLS, and update workflow yourself. It is especially practical for small teams, pilots, and production workspaces without a dedicated platform-operations owner.

Choose the official self-host path when direct infrastructure control matters more than operational convenience and your team is ready to own the Docker Compose stack. Choose an enterprise private-cloud conversation when you need a restricted network, custom identity or governance requirements, procurement support, or a rollout architecture that cannot be handled as a standard managed service.

Frequently asked questions

Is AFFiNE officially available on Elestio?

Yes. Elestio is featured on AFFiNE's deployment page as the live managed-hosting path. Elestio operates the external service, while AFFiNE remains the workspace product. Provider pricing, regions, support terms, and managed-service behavior should be verified on Elestio before deployment.

How much does it cost to deploy AFFiNE on Elestio?

Elestio currently lists AFFiNE starting at $11 per month. Your actual price depends on the cloud provider, region, instance resources, storage, support level, and running hours. Review the estimated monthly price in the Elestio dashboard before creating the service.

Does Elestio update AFFiNE automatically?

Elestio can install the latest packaged AFFiNE version automatically and lets you schedule updates. You can also disable automatic application updates or select a specific version. For existing workspaces, test upgrades and check AFFiNE client compatibility before updating the server.

Where is my AFFiNE data stored?

Your application data is stored with the service in the provider and region you select. Elestio says account data is stored in the EU, while application data stays in the chosen service location. Confirm data residency, backup location, and support terms for your exact configuration.

Can I migrate an AFFiNE instance away from Elestio later?

Elestio documents migration in both directions and provides backup tools for moving data. AFFiNE workspace content is portable, but a production migration should still begin with a tested export, a verified backup, and a pilot restore in the target environment.

Does AFFiNE earn money from Elestio deployments?

AFFiNE may receive a revenue share when a deployment starts through the Elestio links in this article. This does not change the price shown to you by Elestio. We disclose the relationship so you can evaluate the recommendation and provider terms transparently.

Deploy AFFiNE without owning the routine DevOps work

Managed hosting adds a practical middle path between operating AFFiNE entirely on your own and planning a custom private-cloud rollout. You keep a dedicated AFFiNE workspace and choose where it runs; Elestio handles the surrounding operations according to the service plan.

Deploy AFFiNE on Elestio, or compare all AFFiNE deployment paths before you choose.