Back to all templates
FastAPI logo

FastAPI

Development256MB+ RAM

Modern Python FastAPI framework with async support and Uvicorn ASGI server

developmentframeworksfastapiopen-sourceself-hosteddocker

Deploy FastAPI in 3 Steps

1

Connect Your VPS

Add your server credentials to Server Compass

2

Select FastAPI

Choose from our template library

3

Deploy & Configure

Fill in settings and click Deploy

No Docker knowledge required
Step-by-step deployment guide

Deploy FastAPI on a VPS with Server Compass

Use the FastAPI template in Server Compass to deploy a generated FastAPI starter on your VPS, then verify the JSON response in a browser.

About 8 minutesBrowser verified
1
Step 1

Open the server Apps tab

Select the tutorial-vps VPS, open the Apps tab, and start a new app deployment.

Server Compass Apps tab before creating a FastAPI app
2
Step 2

Choose an app template

Click New App and choose the template deployment path so Server Compass can load the built-in catalog.

Choosing to deploy an app from a Server Compass template
3
Step 3

Search for FastAPI

Use the template picker search to find FastAPI in the Server Compass template catalog.

Searching for FastAPI in the Server Compass template picker
4
Step 4

Select the FastAPI template

Choose the FastAPI template. Server Compass fills the compose services, variables, and build settings for this template.

FastAPI template selected in Server Compass
5
Step 5

Review the FastAPI settings

Confirm the app name and generated settings. In this run, the app was named fastapi-demo.

Reviewing FastAPI project settings and compose services
6
Step 6

Deploy FastAPI

Review the generated compose settings, confirm the port check passes, and click Deploy.

Reviewing FastAPI generated settings before deployment
7
Step 7

Watch the deployment progress

Keep the deployment modal open while Server Compass uploads files, starts containers, and verifies the stack.

Server Compass deploying the FastAPI template on the VPS
8
Step 8

Confirm FastAPI is running

After deployment finishes, return to the Apps tab and confirm the FastAPI app is marked Running.

FastAPI template running in the Server Compass Apps tab
9
Step 9

Open FastAPI in the browser

Open the application URL in a browser. The loaded FastAPI page confirms the template is reachable.

The deployed FastAPI app loaded in a browser

After FastAPI Opens

  • Replace the generated starter with your real FastAPI application.
  • Set production CORS origins instead of using a wildcard for public APIs.
  • Add HTTPS and a domain before exposing authenticated API traffic.

Verified Result

FastAPI loaded successfully at http://167.233.138.53:8000/.

FastAPI deployment questions

What does the FastAPI template deploy?

Use the FastAPI template in Server Compass to deploy a generated FastAPI starter on your VPS, then verify the JSON response in a browser.

Which port did the tutorial use?

The tutorial used host port 8000, mapped to container port 8000.

Should this become a blog post?

No. The deployment guide should live on the FastAPI template detail page and be linked from the reusable template deployment docs page.

Self-Deploy Guide

DIY FastAPI Deployment

Learn how to self-host FastAPI with this hands-on deployment guide.

1

SSH into Your Server

Launch your preferred terminal and connect to your VPS using SSH.

terminal
# Log into your server
ssh root@<your-server-ip>

# If using key-based auth
ssh -i ~/.ssh/my-key root@<your-server-ip>

First time? Docker not installed? Run: curl -fsSL https://get.docker.com | sh

2

Create Working Directory

Prepare a directory for your application files and configuration.

terminal
# Create and navigate to project directory
mkdir -p ~/apps/fastapi
cd ~/apps/fastapi
3

Configure Your Containers

Create the Docker Compose configuration file with these contents:

docker-compose.yml
services:
  fastapi:
    build:
      context: .
      dockerfile: Dockerfile
    ports:
      - "8000:8000"
    environment:
      - ENVIRONMENT=production
      - APP_MODULE=main:app
      - DATABASE_URL=<your-database-url>
      - SECRET_KEY=<your-secret-key>
      - CORS_ORIGINS=*
    restart: unless-stopped
Setup Variables
PORTApplication port(default: 8000)
APP_MODULEUvicorn app module(default: main:app)
SECRET_KEYSecret key
DATABASE_URLDatabase URL
CORS_ORIGINSCORS origins(default: *)
4

Deploy with Docker Compose

Launch the application stack using Docker Compose.

terminal
# Deploy the application
docker compose up -d

# Check container health
docker compose ps

# Monitor logs
docker compose logs -f --tail=100
5

Open Required Ports

Enable external access by opening the necessary port.

terminal
# Allow the application port through firewall
sudo ufw allow 8000/tcp
sudo ufw reload

# Access your app at:
# http://your-server-ip:8000
Skip the Terminal

There's an easier way. Meet Server Compass.

Let Server Compass handle the complexity. Deploy FastAPI with a simple, intuitive interface.

  • Intuitive dashboard
  • Deploy in 3 minutes
  • Free SSL included
  • Blue-green deploys
  • Real-time logs
  • Version history
Download Server Compass$29 one-time • Lifetime license

After Deployment

After deploying FastAPI with Server Compass, complete these steps to finish setup

1

Test API endpoints

2

Verify interactive documentation at /docs

Need help? Check out our documentation for detailed guides.

FastAPI FAQ

Common questions about self-hosting FastAPI

How do I deploy FastAPI with Server Compass?

Simply download Server Compass, connect to your VPS, and select FastAPI from the templates list. Fill in the required configuration and click Deploy. The entire process takes under 3 minutes.

What are the system requirements for FastAPI?

FastAPI requires a minimum of 256MB RAM. We recommend a VPS with at least 1024MB RAM for optimal performance. Any modern Linux server with Docker support will work.

Can I migrate my existing FastAPI data?

Yes! Server Compass provides volume mapping that allows you to import existing data. You can also use standard FastAPI backup and restore procedures.

How do I update FastAPI to the latest version?

Server Compass makes updates easy. Simply click the Update button in your deployment dashboard, and the latest FastAPI image will be pulled and deployed with zero downtime.

Is FastAPI free to self-host?

FastAPI is open-source software. You only pay for your VPS hosting (typically $5-20/month) and optionally Server Compass ($29 one-time). No subscription fees or per-seat pricing.

Ready to Self-Host FastAPI?

Download Server Compass and deploy FastAPI to your VPS in under 3 minutes. No Docker expertise required.

Download Server Compass