Local & open-source tools
Compare independent applications with familiar commercial services. Look at compatibility, features, limitations and ongoing costs.
DIGITAL INDEPENDENCE
Explore personal archives, independent publishing, local applications and self-hosted tools. Start with the information you care about and the control you want over it.

A PERSONAL STARTING POINT
A journal outside social media. An archive of photographs and writing. A personal tool that organises things the way you think.
Individuals and organisations can both benefit from considering where information lives, who can access it and how it can be moved.
Discuss an independent digital spaceA place for your everyday information.
Sample records only. Nothing is saved.
HONEST TRADE-OFFS
Self-hosting does not automatically guarantee security, privacy, anonymity or ownership. Configuration, updates, access controls, contracts and daily operation all affect the outcome.

Managed tools can reduce day-to-day work. Local or self-hosted tools may need you—or an agreed support person—to handle updates and maintenance.
Compare setup, storage, hosting and ongoing support costs. Free software can still take time and resources to maintain.
Keep separate backups, check that they can be restored and agree who will help if a device fails or access is lost.
NO CATEGORY REQUIRED
Tell us what you want to create, solve, improve or understand.
We’ll explore the possibilities with you.