Self-Hosting vs. Managed Hosting: Which is the Smarter Choice for Forums?

[Shawn Gossman]

Is self-hosting forums (on your own server) worth the effort, or does it create unnecessary headaches?

Do managed hosting platforms (like Vanilla Cloud or ProBoards) stifle creativity and control in exchange for convenience?

Have you had issues with downtime, security, or scalability that influenced your hosting decision?

Which is more cost-effective in the long run: self-hosting or managed hosting?

For self-hosters: How do you handle backups, updates, and server management without issues?

Are managed platforms exploiting admins with expensive subscription models for features you can DIY?

Horror stories or success stories: What’s your hosting experience, and what would you recommend to others?

 

[Nomad]

If you have time and skills, self hosting is better but for those who do not have time to manage and do not have website management skills, managed hosting is better. I started with self hosting even though I did not have skills, I learned by trial and error

 

[Shawn Gossman]

I didn't have any skills with servers either when I started using them.

Now, I can usually get by but I'm no expert by any means.

But still, self-hosting is what I'd rather do.

 

[Cedric]

Self-hosting is what I prefer and find logical personally. But it's a dying breed. People are more looking for cloud options and it's a rising trend.

 

[JoelR]

There's a philosophical point about self hosting which is that you control more. You control the server, php, MySQL, the ability to host other sites, when and how often you conduct backups, your ability to tinker. There's a sense of greater ownership and control.

One of the philosophical changes happening in forums is from server admins with technical skills to community managers with people skills. You don't necessarily need to have technical skills anymore to run a highly successful forum, but you will always have to have great people skills.

 

[Tracy]

Depends on several factors. If the admin has the knowledge and the time, they can end up with a better server for the same price as it would cost getting a server/vps and then paying for management services.
I personally have been doing it for well over 10 years and still don't mind it. Very rarely do I come across an issue I can't resolve. There may reach a point that I decide I don't want to do the server management/maintenance myself and then I'll hire it done. But it's simple enough that if I get to that point, I probably won't be wanting to run a site either.