Top 15 “Privacy-First” Projects You Can Host on Raspberry Pi

Lately, it feels harder to rely on online services. Between constant tracking, rising subscription costs, and growing privacy concerns, I find myself using my Raspberry Pi increasingly to bring some services back under my control.

Several privacy-focused services can be self-hosted on a Raspberry Pi, giving users control over their data without relying on third parties. As a bonus, most of these tools are free and offer features similar to mainstream solutions.

In this article, I’ll show you a selection of projects you can run on your Raspberry Pi to take back control. From private cloud storage to VPNs and password managers, each project solves a real problem and helps you regain control of your data.

If you’re looking for inspiration for your next Raspberry Pi project, I’ve put together a list of 75+ ideas with full descriptions, difficulty ratings, and links to tutorials. Whether you’re a beginner or more advanced, there’s something here for you. Grab the list for free here!

Host Your Own Password Manager

Technical Difficulty: Medium
Time Required: 1-2 hr
Fun Factor: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I used to reuse the same password across several sites because it was easier to remember. But after seeing how often accounts get compromised, I realized that habit was a huge security risk.

A password manager solves this problem by storing all your credentials in a secure vault and automatically generating strong passwords.

Vaultwarden is a lightweight password manager that’s compatible with official Bitwarden apps. This means you can keep using the Bitwarden clients on your phone and computer while hosting the actual password database on your Raspberry Pi.

From a privacy point of view, this is a major improvement. Instead of trusting a cloud provider with your login data, you keep the vault entirely under your control. It also reduces the number of companies that might store or access your authentication data.

A Raspberry Pi 4 or 5 is recommended to run Vaultwarden. You’ll also want some basic familiarity with Docker or Linux services, along with a reliable backup strategy so your vault stays safe if your storage fails.

If you’re planning to run it in containers, tools like Docker Compose make managing services like Vaultwarden and many other projects easy to maintain.

Create a Personal Cloud

Technical Difficulty: Medium
Time Required: 2-3 hr
Fun Factor: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Cloud storage services like Google Drive or OneDrive are convenient, but they also require trusting a company to store and manage all your personal files. I personally like running a small private cloud at home because it gives me the same convenience as Google Drive while keeping my files on hardware I control.

Nextcloud is a classic choice for self-hosting, because it does much more than file storage if you want it to: sharing links, photo libraries, collaborative notes, calendars, contacts and an app ecosystem that grows with your needs.

Hosting your own cloud improves privacy because your files aren’t scanned, indexed, or connected to advertising profiles. You also control exactly who can access your data and where copies of your files are stored.

For the best experience, it’s recommended to use an SSD instead of a microSD card for storage. Running Nextcloud also requires some willingness to maintain a web application over time, including updates, backups, and occasional troubleshooting.

If you’ve never tried it before, installing Nextcloud on your Raspberry Pi is actually a great introduction to self-hosting.

Run Your Own VPN Server

Technical Difficulty: Medium
Time Required: 1 hr
Fun Factor: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Public Wi-Fi networks are convenient, but they’re also one of the easiest places for traffic to be monitored. Running your own VPN server allows you to create a secure tunnel between your devices and your home network whenever you’re away.

WireGuard has become one of the most popular VPN protocols because it’s lightweight, fast, and much simpler than older solutions. That makes it a great match for a Raspberry Pi that runs continuously as a small home server.

Using your own VPN improves privacy because your internet traffic is encrypted and routed through infrastructure you control. Instead of trusting a commercial VPN provider’s promises to “not log” your activity, you keep the entire connection within your own network.

Setting up a VPN server typically requires a Raspberry Pi, access to your router for port forwarding, and a bit of networking confidence. Once configured, though, it usually runs quietly in the background with very little maintenance.

If you’ve never tried it before, setting up WireGuard is actually simpler than most people expect. When I first tested it on a Raspberry Pi, I was surprised by how quickly it worked. It’s also interesting to compare it with newer mesh VPN solutions like Tailscale, which solve the same problem differently.

Host a Private Search Engine

Technical Difficulty: Medium
Time Required: 1-2 hr
Fun Factor: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Search engines collect an enormous amount of information about users over time. Every query can contribute to a long-term profile of interests, habits, and personal behavior. I don’t use this every day, but when I want to search for something without it being tied to my Google account, this comes in handy.

SearxNG offers an alternative by acting as a self-hosted metasearch engine. Instead of relying on one search provider, it gathers results from multiple sources and displays them through a customizable interface you control.

Running it yourself helps reduce the amount of data collected by any single company. It also lets you disable logging entirely, customize the search engines used, and remove tracking mechanisms commonly found in public search platforms.

Again, you don’t need much to deploy tools like this; you’ll only need Docker experience and a bit of patience for the configuration, because some search engines can impose rate limits or block patterns.

Want even more ideas? I put together a free resource with over 75 Raspberry Pi project ideas, each with a quick description, tutorial link, and hardware requirements. Whether you’re just starting out or looking for something to do this weekend, this list will keep you busy for a while. Just click here to get instant access.

Self-Hosted RSS Reader

Technical Difficulty: Low
Time Required: 30-60 mins
Fun Factor: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Many people get their news through social media feeds, but those platforms are heavily optimized for engagement and tracking. An RSS reader offers a quieter and more intentional way to follow websites you actually care about.

FreshRSS is a full-featured RSS reader you can host yourself, with folders, tags, filters, and a comfortable interface that works well on desktop and mobile. If you prefer something simpler, tools like Miniflux exist, but FreshRSS is often the best all-around pick for people building an RSS habit.

Using RSS improves privacy because you don’t need an account tied to an advertising profile, and there are no algorithms pushing content designed to keep you scrolling. I actually started using RSS again recently, and it’s refreshing to follow websites without endless algorithm recommendations.

Running an RSS reader on a Raspberry Pi is straightforward and works well even on older models, making it one of the easiest privacy-focused projects to try.

Have Your Own Git Server

Technical Difficulty: Medium
Time Required: 2-3 hr
Fun Factor: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Most developers are familiar with Git as a version control system for tracking and managing software projects. What many people don’t realize is that you can also host your own private Git server instead of relying entirely on centralized services like GitHub or GitLab.

Gitea is a lightweight Git web interface that runs very well on a Raspberry Pi. It includes the features most self-hosters actually need: repository hosting, user accounts, permissions, issue tracking, and a clean web interface for managing projects.

Running your own Git server improves privacy by reducing metadata exposure. Things like project names, internal tools, usernames, and repository structures remain in your own infrastructure instead of being indexed or stored by third-party services.

You’ll need some familiarity with Git and a reliable backup routine. If your repositories are important, keeping off-site backups is essential so you don’t lose your work in case of hardware failure.

If you want to dive deeper into version control, learning how Git works on Raspberry Pi is a great starting point for managing your own repositories.

Save Your Information with a Self-Hosted Note-Taking App

Technical Difficulty: Medium
Time Required: 2-3 hr
Fun Factor: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Over time, I realize I store more sensitive information in my notes than I thought. Ideas, work tasks, research notes and sometimes even credentials or private documents.

That’s why self-hosting a note-taking app makes sense to me; it gives me a private place to store everything without relying on a cloud service that might analyze or restrict access.

Joplin is a popular choice because it supports synchronization across devices and offers strong encryption.

Standard Notes is another well-known option focused heavily on privacy and simplicity. Both tools are widely trusted in privacy communities and work well when hosted on a Raspberry Pi.

This setup improves privacy because your notes aren’t stored inside an account tied to a large tech company. It also reduces the risk of losing access to your data if a service changes its terms, shuts down, or locks your account.

Running a note server requires a Raspberry Pi, some comfort with hosting small services, and a solid backup strategy. Syncing notes across several devices can add a bit of complexity, but it’s still manageable for most intermediate users.

Many people run these kinds of services in containers to simplify updates and maintenance, with tools like Docker Compose on Raspberry Pi to manage multiple apps at once.

Set Up Encrypted Backups

Technical Difficulty: Medium
Time Required: 2-3 hr
Fun Factor: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

At some point, I realized that having backups isn’t enough if they aren’t properly secured. If a drive is lost or stolen, unencrypted files are still exposed. That’s why I prefer encryption backups; they keep my data unreadable without the key, even if the storage ends up in the wrong hands.

Restic is a great starting point because it offers strong encryption while keeping the setup relatively simple. BorgBackup and Duplicati are also popular alternatives, depending on how much automation or control you want over the process.

Having encrypted backups protects your data from hardware failures, accidental deletion, or theft while still maintaining privacy. You can even store backups in multiple locations without worrying about someone accessing the raw files.

To set this up, you’ll need a backup destination such as an external drive, NAS, or remote server. The configuration itself isn’t very difficult, but the important part is regularly testing your backups to ensure they actually work when you need them.

If you want a practical example before choosing between these tools, setting up automated backups on Raspberry Pi with Rsnapshot is another good way to understand the basics.

Build a Proxy Network for Anonymization

Technical Difficulty: Medium
Time Required: 2-3 hr
Fun Factor: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A proxy server acts as an intermediary between your device and the internet. Instead of connecting directly to a website, your traffic passes through another system first, which can help reduce basic tracking and hide your real IP address.

Tor is one of the most well-known privacy networks because it routes traffic through several volunteer-run relays instead of sending it directly from your home connection. A Raspberry Pi can be configured as a Tor proxy or gateway, allowing certain devices on your network to browse through the Tor network automatically.

This approach adds an extra layer of privacy by separating your browsing activity from your home IP address. It’s particularly useful if you want a dedicated device that provides privacy-focused browsing without configuring every individual computer.

However, Tor prioritizes anonymity over speed. Performance is usually slower than with a direct connection, so this project is best suited for privacy-focused browsing rather than high-bandwidth activities.

But, If you want something simpler before building a full proxy setup, trying the Tor Browser on Raspberry Pi is a good way to get familiar with the Tor network first. I don’t use Tor for everything, but it’s useful to have as an option when you want a bit more privacy.

Run Your Own Web Meeting App

Technical Difficulty: Medium
Time Required: 2-3 hr
Fun Factor: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Most online meetings today rely on large platforms like Zoom, Google Meet, or Microsoft Teams. While convenient, I’m always a little weirded out when these services collect large amounts of metadata about meetings, participants, and communication patterns.

Self-hosting your own meeting platform gives you more control over that data. Jitsi Meet is one of the most popular open-source video conferencing solutions and works directly in the browser without requiring special software.

Running Jitsi on your own server allows you to create private meeting rooms without relying on third-party providers. You control access, manage participants, and decide how your communication tools are hosted.

Video conferencing is more resource-intensive than many other self-hosted services, so a Raspberry Pi 4 or 5 and a stable internet connection are recommended. For small teams or personal use, though, it can work surprisingly well.

In some cases, you might still need compatibility with existing platforms, which is why many people still install Zoom on Raspberry Pi for work or school meetings.

Private Remote Access with Tailscale

Technical Difficulty: Low
Time Required: 30-60 mins
Fun Factor: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

For a long time, I assumed remote access meant dealing with messy router settings and port forwarding. Then I tried Tailscale, and it completely changed how I approach it. A mesh VPN gives me a simpler way to connect devices securely without exposing services to the public internet.

Tailscale is one of the easiest tools for this. It uses WireGuard behind the scenes but handles most of the configuration automatically, allowing devices to connect securely with minimal setup.

Using a mesh VPN improves privacy by eliminating the need to open ports on your router, which reduces the risk of scans or unauthorized access attempts. It also provides a secure way to reach your self-hosted services from anywhere.

All you need is a Raspberry Pi, a Tailscale account, and the ability to authorize devices on your network. Because the setup is so simple, it’s one of the best beginner-friendly privacy projects.

Setting up Tailscale on a Raspberry Pi only takes a few minutes and is often one of the easiest ways to enable secure remote access. This is actually one of the setups I use the most, because it just works without constantly tweaking router settings.

Protect Self-Hosted Apps with Authentication

Technical Difficulty: Medium
Time Required: 2-3 hr
Fun Factor: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

When you start running several self-hosted services, managing authentication for each one individually can become messy and inconsistent. Some applications offer limited security options or weak login systems.

Authelia solves this by acting as a centralized authentication gateway. Instead of trusting every application to manage logins correctly, you can place Authelia in front of your services and require authentication before users can access them.

It supports features like two-factor authentication and integrates well with reverse proxies such as Nginx or Traefik. This allows you to protect multiple services at once using a single login system.

This setup significantly improves privacy and security by preventing unauthorized access to dashboards, personal data, and administrative interfaces across your self-hosted environment.

Sync Files Privately Across Devices

Technical Difficulty: Low
Time Required: 1 hr
Fun Factor: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Having the same files across all my devices is something I rely on daily, but I’ve never been fully comfortable uploading everything to a third-party cloud. That’s why tools like Syncthing stand out, they keep files synchronized directly between devices without handing them over to a central provider.

Syncthing offers a different approach by synchronizing files directly between your devices without using a central cloud provider. Your Raspberry Pi can act as an always-on node that keeps everything in sync.

Because Syncthing is decentralized, your files remain under your control and are transferred directly between trusted devices. This reduces exposure to data breaches, account lockouts, and third-party tracking.

It’s a great project for anyone who wants the convenience of automatic file syncing without relying on large cloud providers. I like this approach more than traditional cloud storage because I know exactly where my files are at all times.

However, Syncthing is not the only app that fits nicely on a Raspberry Pi. There are other amazing apps if you’re trying to build a more private and practical self-hosted setup.

Run a Private Blockchain Node

Technical Difficulty: Hard
Time Required: 3-4 hr
Fun Factor: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Many cryptocurrency users rely on public node providers to interact with blockchain networks. While convenient, those providers can collect metadata about wallet usage, queries, and transaction activity.

Running your own blockchain node removes that dependency. Instead of asking an external service for blockchain data, your node verifies transactions directly and interacts with the network on your behalf.

Several blockchain communities provide lightweight node implementations that can run on low-power hardware. While some networks require more resources, a Raspberry Pi can still work as a gateway node or experimental setup.

Hosting your own node doesn’t make blockchain activity anonymous, but it removes another third-party service from the process and gives you a more direct relationship with the network.

Running nodes is not the only thing you can do with a Raspberry Pi. You can also experiment with cryptomining, proving that many things can be done with small board devices.

Block Ads and Trackers on Your Entire Network

Technical Difficulty: Low
Time Required: 30-45 mins
Fun Factor: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

After a while, I got tired of seeing ads and trackers everywhere, especially on mobile devices where browser extensions don’t work. That’s why tools like Pi-hole and AdGuard Home make so much sense: they protect the entire network at once.

Network-level ad blockers like Pi-hole or AdGuard Home solve this problem by filtering requests at the DNS level. Once installed on a Raspberry Pi, they can block advertising and tracking domains for every device connected to your network.

This significantly reduces tracking across browsers and apps while also lowering bandwidth usage and improving page loading speeds. It’s one of the easiest and most impactful privacy upgrades you can make.

Setting up Pi-hole or AdGuard Home usually requires access to your router so you can change your DNS settings. Once configured, the system runs quietly in the background and provides a dashboard where you can monitor blocked domains and network activity.

Many people start with Pi-hole on Raspberry Pi because it’s easy to install and has a large community. But, another solid alternative is AdGuard Home on Raspberry Pi, which offers a slightly different interface and filtering options.

Just like most of the projects on this list, you won’t need much to have it, only knowledge and access to your router (for changing the DNS setting), and ideally a simple failover service for your internet in case your Pi goes down.

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