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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.
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LimeSurvey
Application512MB+ RAM
Powerful open-source survey platform and form builder
applicationcrmlimesurveyopen-sourceself-hosteddocker
Deploy LimeSurvey in 3 Steps
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Connect Your VPS
Add your server credentials to Server Compass
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Select LimeSurvey
Choose from our template library
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Deploy & Configure
Fill in settings and click Deploy
No Docker knowledge required
Step-by-step deployment guide
Deploy LimeSurvey on a VPS with Server Compass
Use the LimeSurvey template in Server Compass to deploy a self-hosted survey platform with MySQL storage on your VPS, then verify the LimeSurvey login page in a browser.
About 7 minutesBrowser verified
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Step 2Choose an app template
Click New App and choose the template deployment path so Server Compass can load the built-in catalog.
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Step 3Search for LimeSurvey
Use the template picker search to find LimeSurvey in the Server Compass template catalog.
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Step 4Select the LimeSurvey template
Choose the LimeSurvey template. Server Compass fills the LimeSurvey web service, MySQL database service, initial admin email, admin password, and database passwords.
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Step 5Review the LimeSurvey settings
Confirm the app name and compose services. In this run, the app was named limesurvey-demo and used host port 4045.
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Step 6Deploy LimeSurvey
Review the generated environment values, confirm the port is available, and click Deploy Now.
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Step 7Watch the deployment progress
Keep the deployment modal open while Server Compass uploads the compose file, pulls the LimeSurvey image, starts the container, and verifies the stack.
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Step 8Confirm LimeSurvey is running
After deployment finishes, return to the Apps tab and confirm the LimeSurvey app is marked Running with its application URL available.
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Step 9Open LimeSurvey in the browser
Open the application URL in a browser. The LimeSurvey web UI confirms the site is reachable.
After LimeSurvey Opens
- Sign in with the initial admin account and change the password after first login.
- Create your first survey and configure participants, tokens, and question groups before production use.
- Configure SMTP before sending survey invitations or password reset emails.
- Add a domain and HTTPS before exposing LimeSurvey to users.
- Back up the LimeSurvey upload, plugin, and MySQL volumes before relying on them for production surveys.
LimeSurvey deployment questions
What does the LimeSurvey template deploy?
It deploys the LimeSurvey Apache web application with a MySQL database for survey data.
Which port did the tutorial use?
The tutorial used host port 4045, which maps to the LimeSurvey web service on container port 8080.
Why does the guide stop at the login or setup web UI?
The tutorial verifies the clean LimeSurvey login page because surveys, participants, tokens, and branding are workspace-specific.
Should this become a blog post?
No. The deployment guide should live on the LimeSurvey template detail page and be linked from the reusable template deployment docs page.
After Deployment
After deploying LimeSurvey with Server Compass, complete these steps to finish setup
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Visit the application URL
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Log in with the admin credentials
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Create your first survey from the home dashboard
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Configure SMTP if you need email invitations
Need help? Check out our documentation for detailed guides.
LimeSurvey FAQ
Common questions about self-hosting LimeSurvey
How do I deploy LimeSurvey with Server Compass?
Simply download Server Compass, connect to your VPS, and select LimeSurvey 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 LimeSurvey?
LimeSurvey requires a minimum of 512MB 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 LimeSurvey data?
Yes! Server Compass provides volume mapping that allows you to import existing data. You can also use standard LimeSurvey backup and restore procedures.
How do I update LimeSurvey to the latest version?
Server Compass makes updates easy. Simply click the Update button in your deployment dashboard, and the latest LimeSurvey image will be pulled and deployed with zero downtime.
Is LimeSurvey free to self-host?
LimeSurvey 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 LimeSurvey?
Download Server Compass and deploy LimeSurvey to your VPS in under 3 minutes. No Docker expertise required.
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