Bitwarden lite self-host deployment, formerly unified, is now generally available! This self-host option is a more lightweight and flexible deployment alternative, ideal for homelab enthusiasts and community members who want to get started quickly with self-hosting Bitwarden. With the release of general availability, Bitwarden lite users can benefit from enhanced performance and reliability.
Why self-host Bitwarden
Individuals and organizations who opt to self-host Bitwarden for their password management enjoy multiple benefits, including:
Enhanced autonomy over data
Ability to adapt deployment to meet unique organizational, regional, or personal compliance standards.
Flexibility to deploy on-premises or in the cloud based on your infrastructure and security preferences.
Whether you are a tech-savvy individual who enjoys managing your own infrastructure, or part of an organization with specific hosting requirements, self-hosting password management is a great option for enhanced control over your data and flexibility.
What makes Bitwarden lite unique?
The lite self-host deployment is unique compared to other Bitwarden deployment options for multiple reasons.
Lightweight: The lite deployment offers a simplified Docker structure with all services running in a single Docker container.
Even more flexible: Bitwarden users can easily utilize different database solutions to host their Bitwarden server, including Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQLite.
Due to its lightweight nature, the Bitwarden lite deployment is primarily built for individuals and community members to self-host and is not always recommended for organizations. If your organization is unsure if Bitwarden lite is the right deployment for your architecture and ecosystem, contact sales.
Start self-hosting with Bitwarden lite by following these deployment steps.
Why the name change?
Initially called the Bitwarden unified self-host deployment, the Bitwarden lite self-host deployment has undergone a name change with beta exit. The new name was adopted for a multitude of reasons. “Lite” is a common naming convention for software applications and is immediately recognizable to the software community. “Lite” better communicates the lightweight structure of the offering, helping new users easily self-select the best deployment option for their use case. This reduces confusion when evaluating deployment options. Still have questions? Contact the Bitwarden support team for further information.
Other Bitwarden self-host deployment options
Bitwarden offers multiple options for self-hosting. Evaluate the available self-hosting options and select the one that’s right for you!
Bitwarden standard deployment
The Bitwarden standard self-host deployment is offered for both Linux and Windows operating systems and is ideal for IT professionals and organizations looking to self-host Bitwarden.
Offline deployment
The Bitwarden Windows offline deployment enables organizations to deploy Bitwarden with an offline or air-gapped Windows server. This deployment is great for organizations or government agencies that require extra data protection.
Kubernetes & Helm deployment
Bitwarden users and organizations also have the option to host Bitwarden on Kubernetes using a Helm chart. This option is designed for highly-available and containerized deployments. Because this option requires advanced knowledge of Kubernetes, it is recommended the organization or user has support from DevOps engineers or cloud administrators when deploying.
Digital droplet
The DigitalOcean droplet is another great option for self-hosting Bitwarden. The Bitwarden 1-click droplet is available through the DigitalOcean Marketplace and simplifies self-hosting via a virtual machine.
Get started with self-hosted password management
Ready to self-host your own password management? Get started for free and check out the Bitwarden help center for step-by-step instructions.