Hosting TrocOS
TrocOS is a self-hosted application — each community runs its own instance. You own your data, your members, and your configuration.
Choosing a deployment option
| Scalingo | Heroku | Kamal | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Managed PaaS | Managed PaaS | Self-managed VPS |
| Setup complexity | Low | Low | Medium |
| Cost | From ~€15/month | From ~$15/month | VPS cost only (~€5–10/month) |
| Postgres included | Add-on | Add-on | Docker accessory |
| SSL | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic (Let's Encrypt) |
| Best for | French/EU teams, GDPR-conscious deployments | Teams already on Heroku ecosystem | Cost-conscious, hands-on operators |
Not sure which to pick? Start with Scalingo or Heroku — they handle the infrastructure so you can focus on your community. Kamal gives you more control and lower running costs but requires a VPS and some familiarity with Docker.
Prerequisites (all options)
Before deploying, you'll need:
- A GitLab account and a fork of the TrocOS repo
- A PostgreSQL database (provided as an add-on on PaaS platforms)
- OAuth credentials for the providers you want to enable (optional — see OAuth Setup)
Next steps
Pick your deployment option: