Deploy AFFiNE Your Way
Run AFFiNE on your own server, on managed infrastructure, or inside an enterprise private cloud. Pick the path that fits your team — your content stays portable either way.
- 70K+ GitHub stars
- Official Docker Compose path
- Managed option on Elestio
Which deployment path fits you?
Every deployment decision comes down to three questions: who operates the infrastructure, where the data lives, and how much of your time it takes. Answer those, and the path picks itself — the four options below cover the whole map.
Self-host vs. managed vs. private cloud
| Self-host (Docker) | Managed (Elestio) | Enterprise private cloud | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who operates it | You | Elestio | You or your partner, with AFFiNE's team involved |
| Where data lives | Your servers and storage | Dedicated instance on the cloud/region you choose | Your infrastructure, to your residency requirements |
| Setup effort | A compose file and an .env | Minutes — provisioned for you | Scoped project with architecture review |
| Updates & backups | You run them (documented path) | Included in the managed service | Yours, with documented backup/restore runbooks |
| Cost shape | Free up to 10 seats; Team license beyond | Managed-service subscription from Elestio | Custom contract |
| Best for | Technical teams that want full control | Teams that want AFFiNE without ops work | 100+ seats, regulated or air-gapped environments |
Snapshot as of July 2026 — verify details against the linked docs and provider pages.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between self-hosting and managed hosting?
The software is the same — the difference is who operates it. Self-hosting means you run the Docker Compose stack on your own server and handle updates and backups yourself, at no license cost for up to 10 seats per workspace. Managed hosting on Elestio means their platform provisions a dedicated instance and handles the operational work as part of their subscription, on the cloud provider and region you select.
Is self-hosting AFFiNE free?
Yes — self-hosting is free for personal use and for teams of up to 10 seats per workspace. Beyond 10 seats, production teams activate a Team subscription ($10 per seat/month billed annually), or an Installable License for networks where online license checks aren't possible.
Can AFFiNE run in an intranet or air-gapped network?
Yes. The standard Team plan verifies licenses online, so for restricted networks AFFiNE offers an Installable License: purchase it once and activate it from the workspace license settings, with no connection to AFFiNE's license service required. This is a documented, supported deployment mode — see the enterprise page for the full picture.
Can I move between deployment options later?
Yes. Workspace content is portable: you can start on AFFiNE Cloud or a managed instance and later move to self-hosting, or the reverse. The practical path is export plus import into the new instance, validated in a pilot workspace first — and if you're planning a larger move, the enterprise team can walk it with you.
What about AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud marketplaces?
There is no official AFFiNE listing on the big-three cloud marketplaces today — listings you may find there are third-party repackagings, not published or supported by us. If your procurement runs through cloud marketplaces or you need private offers and annual contracts, talk to sales: that's handled through the enterprise procurement track.
Which path should a small technical team pick?
If you have someone comfortable with Docker and a server to spare, self-host — it's free up to 10 seats and the docs cover install, storage, backups, and upgrades. If you'd rather not own the ops work, Elestio gets you a production instance in minutes for a predictable monthly fee. You can revisit the choice later; your content stays portable either way.
Ready to deploy?
Start with the self-host guide, spin up a managed instance on Elestio, or bring your constraints to a call.
Last updated: July 13, 2026