1
Step 1Open the server Apps tab
Select your VPS, open the Apps tab, and start a new app deployment. Keep sensitive server details hidden before capturing or sharing screenshots.
Back to all templates
FreshRSS
Application128MB+ RAM
Free, self-hosted RSS feed aggregator with mobile support
rssfeed-readernewsaggregator
Deploy FreshRSS in 3 Steps
1
Connect Your VPS
Add your server credentials to Server Compass
2
Select FreshRSS
Choose from our template library
3
Deploy & Configure
Fill in settings and click Deploy
No Docker knowledge required
Step-by-step deployment guide
Deploy FreshRSS on a VPS with Server Compass
Use the FreshRSS template in Server Compass to deploy a self-hosted RSS feed reader on your VPS, then verify the FreshRSS web UI in a browser.
About 7 minutesBrowser verified
2
Step 2Choose an app template
Click New App and choose the template deployment path so Server Compass can load the built-in catalog.
3
Step 3Search for FreshRSS
Use the template picker search to find FreshRSS in the Server Compass template catalog.
4
Step 4Select the FreshRSS template
Choose the FreshRSS template. Server Compass fills the FreshRSS image, host port, timezone, persistent data volume, and persistent extensions volume.
5
Step 5Review the FreshRSS settings
Confirm the app name and compose services. In this run, the app was named freshrss-demo and used host port 3001.
6
Step 6Deploy FreshRSS
Review the generated environment values, confirm the port is available, and click Deploy Now.
7
Step 7Watch the deployment progress
Keep the deployment modal open while Server Compass uploads the compose file, pulls the FreshRSS image, starts the container, and verifies the stack.
8
Step 8Confirm FreshRSS is running
After deployment finishes, return to the Apps tab and confirm the FreshRSS app is marked Running with its application URL available.
9
Step 9Open FreshRSS in the browser
Open the application URL in a browser. The FreshRSS web UI confirms the site is reachable.
After FreshRSS Opens
- Create the first FreshRSS account; the first user becomes the administrator.
- Configure HTTPS and user access before production use.
- Add a domain and HTTPS before exposing the RSS reader to users.
- Back up the FreshRSS data volume before relying on it for production feeds.
FreshRSS deployment questions
What does the FreshRSS template deploy?
It deploys FreshRSS with persistent data and extensions volumes for feeds.
Which port did the tutorial use?
The tutorial used host port 3001, which maps to the FreshRSS web server on container port 80.
Why does the guide stop at the first-run web UI?
The tutorial verifies the clean first-run web UI because real feeds, users, mobile API access, and update schedules depend on the production server.
Should this become a blog post?
No. The deployment guide should live on the FreshRSS template detail page and be linked from the reusable template deployment docs page.
Why Self-Host FreshRSS?
FreshRSS is a powerful RSS feed aggregator with mobile support. Self-hosting gives you a private, ad-free news reading experience where your reading habits aren't tracked by corporations or used to build advertising profiles.
Read news from any source without algorithmic filtering
Your reading habits stay completely private
Mobile support through Fever and Google Reader APIs
Extremely lightweight — runs on just 128MB RAM
Extensions for full-text content, YouTube feeds, and more
FreshRSS vs Alternatives
FreshRSS vs Feedly
Feedly tracks your reading and charges for features. FreshRSS is self-hosted, private, and completely free with no limits.
FreshRSS vs Miniflux
Miniflux is minimalist. FreshRSS offers more features including extensions, themes, and a richer feed management interface.
FreshRSS vs Inoreader
Inoreader limits free accounts. FreshRSS is unlimited with full-text search and powerful filtering on your own server.
Why Deploy FreshRSS with Server Compass?
Server Compass deploys FreshRSS with persistent storage for your feeds and read states. At just 128MB RAM, it's perfect for running alongside other services on any VPS.
Download Server CompassAfter Deployment
After deploying FreshRSS with Server Compass, complete these steps to finish setup
1
Create admin account
2
Add RSS feeds
3
Configure mobile app access
Need help? Check out our documentation for detailed guides.
FreshRSS FAQ
Common questions about self-hosting FreshRSS
How do I deploy FreshRSS with Server Compass?
Simply download Server Compass, connect to your VPS, and select FreshRSS 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 FreshRSS?
FreshRSS requires a minimum of 128MB 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 FreshRSS data?
Yes! Server Compass provides volume mapping that allows you to import existing data. You can also use standard FreshRSS backup and restore procedures.
How do I update FreshRSS to the latest version?
Server Compass makes updates easy. Simply click the Update button in your deployment dashboard, and the latest FreshRSS image will be pulled and deployed with zero downtime.
Is FreshRSS free to self-host?
FreshRSS 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 FreshRSS?
Download Server Compass and deploy FreshRSS to your VPS in under 3 minutes. No Docker expertise required.
Download Server Compass