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When deciding between using OpnForm’s cloud service or self-hosting, it’s important to understand the key differences and benefits of each option. Below is a comparison to help you make an informed decision:
Self-hosting OpnForm does not require an Enterprise license for core functionality. Free self-hosted instances include OIDC within a 2-user instance limit. Adding more users and some advanced workspace features require a self-hosted Enterprise license. See Self-hosted License.
Self-HostedOpnForm Cloud
High availability servers~$50+/month✅
Load balancer~$15+/month✅
Managed database~$45-70+/month✅
Instance-wide SMTP provider~$15+/month✅
Users2 users free; Enterprise license for more usersBased on cloud plan
OIDC SSOIncluded within the 2-user free self-hosted limitBased on cloud plan
SupportDiscordLive Chat
Setup timeManual✅ Up and running in minutes
UpgradesManual✅ Automatic
Multi-zone availabilityManual✅
BackupsManual✅ Automatic
MonitoringManual✅
Custom code and forks✅❌
SSL certificateManual✅
Where your money goes3rd-party servicesImproving OpnForm

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When Should You Self-Host?

There are specific scenarios where self-hosting OpnForm might be the better choice:
  • Regulatory Compliance: If you need an air-gapped environment for regulatory reasons (e.g., HIPAA compliance).
  • Custom Builds: If you want to run a custom build or fork of OpnForm with your own customizations.
  • Custom Integrations: If you need to use community or custom integrations that are not supported in the cloud version.
For most users, the managed OpnForm Cloud service will be the better option due to its ease of use, automatic updates, and comprehensive support. This comparison is inspired by the Metabase Cloud vs Self-Hosting page.