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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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Ollama + Open WebUI
Development8192MB+ RAM
Self-hosted AI stack: Ollama LLM runtime with Open WebUI — a ChatGPT-like interface. Pre-wired together, zero config.
aillmollamachatwebuichatgpt-alternative
Deploy Ollama + Open WebUI in 3 Steps
1
Connect Your VPS
Add your server credentials to Server Compass
2
Select Ollama + Open WebUI
Choose from our template library
3
Deploy & Configure
Fill in settings and click Deploy
No Docker knowledge required
Video Tutorials
Learn How to Deploy Ollama + Open WebUI
Step-by-step deployment guide
Deploy Ollama + Open WebUI on a VPS with Server Compass
Use the Ollama + Open WebUI template in Server Compass to deploy a self-hosted AI chat interface on your VPS, then verify the first-run web UI in a browser.
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 Ollama + Open WebUI
Use the template picker search to find Ollama + Open WebUI in the Server Compass template catalog.
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Step 4Select the Ollama + Open WebUI template
Choose the Ollama + Open WebUI template. Server Compass fills the Ollama + Open WebUI service, persistent data volume, Ollama URL, session secret, and web port.
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Step 5Review the Ollama + Open WebUI settings
Confirm the app name and compose services. In this run, the app was named ollama-webui-demo and used host port 3000.
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Step 6Deploy Ollama + Open WebUI
Review the generated compose settings, confirm the web port is available, keep the generated session secret hidden, 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 Ollama + Open WebUI image, starts the container, and verifies the stack.
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Step 8Confirm Ollama + Open WebUI is running
After deployment finishes, return to the Apps tab and confirm the Ollama + Open WebUI app is marked Running with its application URL available.
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Step 9Open Ollama + Open WebUI in the browser
Click Open Application or open the application URL in a browser. The Ollama + Open WebUI first-run screen confirms the AI chat interface is reachable and ready for the first admin account.
After Ollama + Open WebUI Opens
- Register the first Ollama + Open WebUI user promptly; the first registered user becomes admin.
- Configure Ollama or a remote model provider before production use.
- Disable open signup after creating the intended admin and user accounts.
- Add a domain and HTTPS before exposing the chat interface outside a private network.
- Back up the Ollama + Open WebUI data volume before relying on saved chats, users, or settings.
Verified Result
The Ollama + Open WebUI web UI loaded successfully in a browser.
Ollama + Open WebUI deployment questions
What does the Ollama + Open WebUI template deploy?
It deploys the Ollama + Open WebUI container with a persistent data volume, a generated session secret, and an Ollama base URL that can point to a local or remote model server.
Which port did the tutorial use?
The tutorial used host port 3000, which maps to the Ollama + Open WebUI web UI on container port 8080.
Why does the browser verification stop at the first web UI screen?
A fresh Ollama + Open WebUI deployment is considered reachable when the first-run account screen loads. Model configuration and user policy depend on your own production setup.
Should this become a blog post?
No. The deployment guide should live on the Ollama + Open WebUI template detail page and be linked from the reusable template deployment docs page.
CLI Deployment
Deploy Ollama + Open WebUI Yourself
Want full control? Here's how to deploy Ollama + Open WebUI yourself using Docker Compose.
1
Access Your VPS Terminal
Use your terminal to securely access your server. You'll need your server's IP address.
terminal
# Connect via SSH
ssh root@your-vps-ip
# Alternative with key file
ssh -i /path/to/key root@your-vps-ipFirst time? Make sure Docker is installed on your VPS. Run: curl -fsSL https://get.docker.com | sh
2
Set Up the Deployment Folder
Initialize a project folder on your server.
terminal
# Create and navigate to project directory
mkdir -p ~/apps/ollama-webui
cd ~/apps/ollama-webui3
Set Up the Stack Definition
Use this Docker Compose configuration for your deployment:
docker-compose.yml
services:
ollama:
image: ollama/ollama:latest
volumes:
- ollama_data:/root/.ollama
environment:
- OLLAMA_KEEP_ALIVE=5m
restart: unless-stopped
open-webui:
image: ghcr.io/open-webui/open-webui:main
ports:
- "3000:8080"
environment:
- OLLAMA_BASE_URL=http://ollama:11434
- WEBUI_SECRET_KEY=<your-secret-key>
- ENABLE_SIGNUP=true
volumes:
- open_webui_data:/app/backend/data
depends_on:
- ollama
restart: unless-stopped
volumes:
ollama_data:
open_webui_data:
Required Settings
PORTHost port for Open WebUI(default: 3000)SECRET_KEYSession secret keyKEEP_ALIVEModel keep-alive duration(default: 5m)4
Start the Containers
Bring up your containers in detached mode.
terminal
# Start all services
docker compose up -d
# List running containers
docker compose ps
# Watch the logs
docker compose logs -f5
Set Up Firewall Rules
Allow the application port through your server's firewall.
terminal
# Allow the application port through firewall
sudo ufw allow 3000/tcp
sudo ufw reload
# Access your app at:
# http://your-server-ip:3000Skip the Terminal
Let Server Compass do the heavy lifting.
Skip the terminal and deploy Ollama + Open WebUI with a visual interface. Configure everything with clicks, not commands.
- Beautiful interface
- One-click deploys
- Let's Encrypt SSL
- Zero downtime
- Container monitoring
- Easy rollbacks
Download Server Compass$29 one-time • Lifetime license
After Deployment
After deploying Ollama + Open WebUI with Server Compass, complete these steps to finish setup
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Visit the Open WebUI URL and register the first account (becomes admin)
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Open the Ollama tab in ServerCompass to pull models
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Start chatting — models are instantly available in the interface
Need help? Check out our documentation for detailed guides.
Ollama + Open WebUI FAQ
Common questions about self-hosting Ollama + Open WebUI
How do I deploy Ollama + Open WebUI with Server Compass?
Simply download Server Compass, connect to your VPS, and select Ollama + Open WebUI 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 Ollama + Open WebUI?
Ollama + Open WebUI requires a minimum of 8192MB RAM. We recommend a VPS with at least 16384MB RAM for optimal performance. Any modern Linux server with Docker support will work.
Can I migrate my existing Ollama + Open WebUI data?
Yes! Server Compass provides volume mapping that allows you to import existing data. You can also use standard Ollama + Open WebUI backup and restore procedures.
How do I update Ollama + Open WebUI to the latest version?
Server Compass makes updates easy. Simply click the Update button in your deployment dashboard, and the latest Ollama + Open WebUI image will be pulled and deployed with zero downtime.
Is Ollama + Open WebUI free to self-host?
Ollama + Open WebUI 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.
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