Simple youtube-dl REST API to launch downloads on a distant server.
License: GPL-3.0. Source: https://github.com/Totonyus/ydl_api_ng.
docker run -p 5011:80 totonyus/ydl_api_ng # don't forget to map the folders
Self-hosting gives you three things SaaS can’t: data ownership (the files live on disks you control), cost predictability (a one-time setup vs. recurring per-seat fees that grow with your household or team), and longevity (open-source means the app keeps working even if the maintainers move on, since you can pin a working version). The trade-off is that you take on the operational work of running a server, applying updates, and handling backups.
Most self-hosted apps run comfortably on modest hardware — a Raspberry Pi 4, a mini PC, a NAS with Docker support, or a small VPS is usually enough for personal or family use. CPU and RAM requirements scale with how many simultaneous users or how much data you push through ydl_api_ng. Storage requirements depend on the kind of data you keep; check the README for guidance on data retention.
Last verified: 2026-04-21