Your data stays yours
Every contact, every campaign, every reply lives in your own PostgreSQL database on your own VPS.
SELF-HOSTING
Self-hosted vs cloud —
your server, your rules.
The only platform on the ForgeSend compare hub that publicly offers VPS or Docker self-hosting. No SaaS lock-in. Lead and campaign data stays in your own database when you self-host. Your data sovereignty, on your terms.
Self-Hosted Solo is free forever. Agency licence $599/year. Cloud starts at $29/month.
Your IP reputation
Sending goes through your own connected inboxes via OAuth or SMTP. Your domain reputation is never shared with other operators on a shared platform.
Your compliance
GDPR, data residency, client confidentiality — you control where data lives and who has access to it. No shared ForgeSend infrastructure. You decide where the core platform runs and who manages your deployment.
UK DATA SOVEREIGNTY
UK data protection for self-hosted cold outreach
Where the data physically sits
Self-hosted, every contact record, campaign, and reply generated by a cold outreach programme lives in your own PostgreSQL database on infrastructure you choose. A UK-based operator can keep that database on a VPS physically located in the UK, under direct operator control, rather than routed through a vendor's shared infrastructure in another jurisdiction.
What that means for UK obligations
UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018 place accountability for personal data used in cold outreach on whoever controls that processing. Self-hosting doesn't remove that accountability, but it does remove the need to account for a vendor's sub-processors or cross-border transfers, since there's no third-party processor infrastructure in the chain. Operators who'd rather rely on a documented processor relationship instead can use ForgeSend's UK-hosted cloud tier, covered by a Data Processing Agreement.
This is an infrastructure decision about where cold outreach data physically resides — not a substitute for an operator's own assessment of lawful basis and retention obligations. See Trust & Security for how ForgeSend's cloud tier handles the same questions.
CLOUD VS SELF-HOSTED
Choose the path that matches how you operate.
ForgeSend cloud is the faster hosted path. Self-hosting is for operators who want to run the core platform on their own VPS, connect their own enrichment API keys, and manage infrastructure themselves.
CHOOSE CLOUD WHEN
- ✓You want ForgeSend running quickly
- ✓You do not want to manage a VPS
- ✓You want hosted workspace setup
- ✓You prefer to review pricing and trial terms before committing
CHOOSE SELF-HOSTED WHEN
- ✓You want lead and campaign data on your own infrastructure
- ✓You are comfortable managing a VPS/Docker deployment
- ✓You want BYOK enrichment with your own API keys
- ✓You prefer a self-hosted licence path
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Everything in Cloud, on your infrastructure
The self-hosted licence includes the full ForgeSend platform. No feature restrictions.
✓Unlimited inboxes
✓Unlimited sending
✓Pre-send deliverability guardrails
✓Per-inbox health scoring
✓Enrichment ledger — BYOK (bring your own API keys)
✓Unified reply inbox
✓Campaign sequences with spintax
✓3-tier email verification
✓Auto-pause on reply and bounce
✓Full data export (JSON/CSV)
✓Docker Compose included — PostgreSQL and Redis spin up automatically
✓PM2 process management included
REQUIREMENTS
What you'll need
- →A Linux VPS (Ubuntu 20.04+ recommended) — minimum 2GB RAM, 2 vCPU
- →Docker and Docker Compose installed
- →Node.js 18+ installed
- →A domain with DNS access (for SPF, DKIM, DMARC configuration)
- →Google OAuth app (for Gmail sending) and/or Microsoft Azure app (for Outlook sending)
- →A valid ForgeSend self-hosted commercial licence
Setup takes approximately 30–60 minutes for a technically capable operator. Full step-by-step documentation is available at docs.forgesend.cloud.
FIT
When self-hosting makes sense.
GOOD FIT
- ✓Technical operators already comfortable with VPS/Docker
- ✓Founders or agencies who want the core platform on their own infrastructure
- ✓Operators who want BYOK enrichment with their own API keys
- ✓Teams that want a self-hosted licence path instead of hosted SaaS
NOT IDEAL FOR
- —You want ForgeSend running without managing infrastructure
- —You do not want to maintain a VPS
- —You want ForgeSend-managed hosting, updates, and operational setup
- —You want outcome guarantees from the platform
LICENSING
Self-hosted licence tiers
These are self-hosted licence options. ForgeSend cloud is priced separately and starts at $29/month. Self-hosting is for operators who want to run the core platform on their own VPS and connect their own provider keys.
Solo
Free forever
- ✓Single workspace
- ✓Single operator
- ✓Run on your own VPS with Docker — your own PostgreSQL database, not a shared one
- ✓BYOK enrichment — connect your own enrichment provider API keys
- ✓You control your data, your IP reputation, and your compliance
- ✓Commercial licence included
- ✓Everything included, no feature restrictions
Agency
$599/year
- ✓Everything in Solo
- ✓Multiple client workspaces
- ✓Client workspace isolation
- ✓BYOK enrichment
- ✓Commercial licence included
- ✓Everything included, no feature restrictions
Enterprise
Custom pricing
- ✓Everything in Agency
- ✓SLA guarantee
- ✓Dedicated support
- ✓Custom deployment options
SELF-HOSTING FAQ
Common questions about self-hosting ForgeSend.
Who should self-host ForgeSend?
Self-hosting is best for technical operators, founders, or agencies that want to run the core platform on their own VPS and are comfortable managing infrastructure.
When should I choose ForgeSend cloud instead?
Choose cloud if you want ForgeSend hosted for you, do not want to manage a VPS, or want the fastest path to start testing the product.
What does BYOK enrichment mean?
BYOK means bring your own keys. In self-hosted mode, you connect your own enrichment provider API keys instead of using ForgeSend-managed enrichment credits.
Is Self-Hosted Solo free forever?
Yes. The Solo self-hosted licence is free forever and includes a commercial licence. You are responsible for your own VPS and infrastructure costs, and any provider API costs if you use BYOK enrichment.
Does self-hosting affect deliverability?
Self-hosting changes where the core platform runs. It does not affect or guarantee inbox placement, replies, or campaign results.
Can I compare cloud and self-hosted before deciding?
Yes. Review the cloud pricing page and the self-hosted licence tiers on this page to decide which path fits how you operate.
Ready to choose your deployment path?
Review the setup docs, compare licence options, or use ForgeSend cloud if you want the hosted path.