this post was submitted on 27 Jul 2026
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I use Debian as my daily driver, but I'm still a newbie. I would like to selfhost a few apps, initially on a VPS, but I will probably move to a local PC once I diagnose what is broken with my old computer.

The guides at https://selfhosting.sh/ always recommend Ubuntu Server LTS for newbies, but Ubuntu seems to have bad PR and I already run Debian on my home PC. On one hand, I am a newbie and I guess Ubuntu might be easier to set up and maintain. Though, I don't HOW exactly? On the other hand, if I have Debian on my home PC and on my server, they are the same system, so I'd be learning the same system at two places and with two usage scenarios. But it might be easier to make mistakes on Debian..?

What is your opinion/recommendation?

EDIT: thank you everyone! My gut feeling was Debian and your responses were overwhelmingly in favor of Debian, so Debian it is :)

(page 2) 37 comments
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[–] gblues@bolha.us 2 points 1 week ago

@steel_for_humans I'm a debian sucker, so I'm realy biased. I don't like how ubuntu do things, like snaps default and that kind of thing. If you don't need nothing bleeding edge on your server, I guess debian is good enough. And you can alway use containers to get the hot and new stuff.

[–] kinther@lemmy.world 2 points 1 week ago

Both are viable. Ubuntu is based on Debian. It may come with some additional bloat. Really it comes down to what you feel comfortable with. Neither will be a bad choice.

[–] ArborNode@lemmy.shutes.org 2 points 1 week ago

Are you strictly self hosting with this device? If so there are whole operating systems that make this easy. TrueNAS Scale for example.

I would suggest broadening your search. Debian vs Ubuntu is not much of a difference in my opinion. Videos and just trying some can help you decide.

[–] SnailMagnitude@mander.xyz 2 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Either is fine.

I tend towards ubuntu lts pro with automatic upgrades and reboots. Much like the guide you mention pretty much everything targets ubuntu lts.

[–] lka1988@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 1 week ago

I tend towards ubuntu lts pro with automatic upgrades and reboots.

This can be done easily on Debian, too. Without an artificial limitation.

[–] s4mdf0o1@piaille.fr 1 points 1 week ago

@steel_for_humans
on a VPS you will exclusively have a terminal with ssh
to me Debian is the only choice, while you will be able to do the same, but keeping freedom rather then apps taking your hand for nothing more
Ask AI for special things, it'll be easier

[–] monkeyman512@lemmy.world 1 points 1 week ago

I would personally use Debian as my first choice then use Ubuntu if there is a reason to use it over Debian. For example Ubuntu will often integrate drivers for new devices faster than Debian. But if you are dealing with hardware released more 1 year ago, I wouldn't worry about that. Also, some applications will specifically call out Ubuntu as their supported distro.

[–] Decronym@lemmy.decronym.xyz 1 points 1 week ago* (last edited 5 days ago)

Acronyms, initialisms, abbreviations, contractions, and other phrases which expand to something larger, that I've seen in this thread:

Fewer Letters More Letters
IoT Internet of Things for device controllers
LTS Long Term Support software version
LXC Linux Containers
NAS Network-Attached Storage
PSU Power Supply Unit
SSD Solid State Drive mass storage
VPS Virtual Private Server (opposed to shared hosting)

[Thread #65 for this comm, first seen 27th Jul 2026, 18:10] [FAQ] [Full list] [Contact] [Source code]

[–] watson387@sopuli.xyz 1 points 1 week ago (3 children)

Debian. Fuck Ubuntu. Don't forget to install sudo.

[–] SrMono@feddit.org -1 points 1 week ago

Always used Ubuntu server and would always recommend that to newbies.

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