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Step 1Open the server Apps tab
Select the tutorial-vps 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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ntfy
Infrastructure128MB+ RAM
Simple HTTP-based pub-sub notification service for scripts, apps, and devices
infrastructuremessagingntfyopen-sourceself-hosteddocker
Deploy ntfy in 3 Steps
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Connect Your VPS
Add your server credentials to Server Compass
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Select ntfy
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 ntfy on a VPS with Server Compass
Use the ntfy template in Server Compass to deploy a self-hosted HTTP pub-sub notification service on your VPS, then verify the web app and API health endpoint.
About 10 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 ntfy
Use the template picker search to find ntfy in the Server Compass template catalog.
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Step 4Select the ntfy template
Choose the ntfy template. Server Compass fills the ntfy service, cache and auth volumes, base URL, and default access settings.
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Step 5Review the ntfy settings
Confirm the app name, web/API port, base URL, and default access policy. In this run, the app was named ntfy-demo and used host port 4015.
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Step 6Deploy ntfy
Review the generated compose settings, confirm the ntfy web port is available, and click Deploy.
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Step 7Watch the deployment progress
Keep the deployment modal open while Server Compass uploads the compose file, pulls the ntfy image, starts the container, and verifies the stack.
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Step 8Confirm ntfy is running
After deployment finishes, return to the Apps tab and confirm the ntfy app is marked Running with its application URL available.
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Step 9Open ntfy in the browser
Open the application URL in a browser. The ntfy web app confirms the notification service is reachable.
After ntfy Opens
- Publish a test message with curl or the ntfy CLI.
- Set `AUTH_DEFAULT_ACCESS` to `deny-all` and create users before using private topics.
- Put ntfy behind HTTPS before relying on browser push notifications.
- Back up the ntfy cache and auth volumes before production use.
- Keep topic names private if anonymous read-write access remains enabled.
Verified Result
The ntfy web interface loaded successfully from the deployed container and the service health endpoint was available.
ntfy deployment questions
What does the ntfy template deploy?
It deploys the ntfy server with a web app, HTTP publish/subscribe API, persistent cache storage, and an auth database volume.
Which port did the tutorial use?
The tutorial used host port 4015, which maps to the ntfy web UI on container port 80.
Does ntfy need setup after deployment?
For a public production instance, yes. Configure users and access policies, enable HTTPS, and test publishing to a topic.
Should this become a blog post?
No. The deployment guide should live on the ntfy template detail page and be linked from the reusable template deployment docs page.
After Deployment
After deploying ntfy with Server Compass, complete these steps to finish setup
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Open ntfy at http://YOUR_SERVER_IP:{{PORT}}
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Publish a test message with curl
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Configure users/access policies before relying on private topics
Need help? Check out our documentation for detailed guides.
ntfy FAQ
Common questions about self-hosting ntfy
How do I deploy ntfy with Server Compass?
Simply download Server Compass, connect to your VPS, and select ntfy 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 ntfy?
ntfy 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 ntfy data?
Yes! Server Compass provides volume mapping that allows you to import existing data. You can also use standard ntfy backup and restore procedures.
How do I update ntfy to the latest version?
Server Compass makes updates easy. Simply click the Update button in your deployment dashboard, and the latest ntfy image will be pulled and deployed with zero downtime.
Is ntfy free to self-host?
ntfy 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 ntfy?
Download Server Compass and deploy ntfy to your VPS in under 3 minutes. No Docker expertise required.
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