BentoPDF

This is my personal, actively evolving self-hosted stack. I run my own VPS and prefer tools I can understand, control, and migrate without vendor lock-in. The apps here are ones I actually use (or am seriously testing), chosen for a balance of simplicity, flexibility, and long-term survivability. This list isn’t about “the most powerful” tools — just what works for me. I update it as my setup grows and my opinions sharpen!

Part 1 of 3 in Series: lists will continually be updated periodically. Criteria I look for universally for my lists are as follows: — Open source code: publicly audited — Privacy-focus: minimal data collection, encryption by default — Security-focus: 2FA available, encryption by default — Zero Knowledge end-to-end encryption (E2EE) when appropriate — Cross-platform or progressive web apps (PWAs) + cloud backup/sync — Freemium subscription model, so basic features are always available for free — Oligarchy / Big Tech alternative — Absence of “dark” or deceptive patterns Criteria specifically for this list: — Established companies with a strong reputation — Provides a “it just works” experience for the user: minimal configuration, user friendly — Features available can easily replace Big Tech’s popular apps

FOSS projects you can self-host on Docker.