Goal
Build a home media server and self-hosting setup that eliminates (or significantly reduces) monthly subscriptions — Netflix, Spotify, Tidal, Dropbox, Google Photos, and others. Own the stack. Stop renting.
Services to Replace
| Service | Monthly cost | Self-hosted replacement (candidates) |
|---|---|---|
| Netflix | $XX | Jellyfin / Plex — movies & TV |
| Spotify | $XX | Navidrome / Funkwhale — music streaming |
| Tidal | $XX | Navidrome / Beets — lossless music library |
| Dropbox | $XX | Nextcloud — file sync & storage |
| Google Photos | $XX | Immich / Nextcloud Photos — photo backup |
Key Areas to Research
- Hardware — what to run the server on (see resource note — recycled office PC is the sweet spot)
- OS & base layer — Zima OS recommended for beginners; TrueNAS (feature-heavy), Unraid (flexible RAID)
- Media server — Jellyfin (free, open source) vs Plex (paid lifetime, better clients + remote access built-in)
- Music — Navidrome + Beets pipeline; PlexAmp as alternative if using Plex
- Photo backup — Immich is the clear winner; ImageGo handles migration from Google/iCloud
- File sync — Nextcloud or Syncthing as Dropbox replacement (not covered yet — needs research)
- Networking — Tailscale for personal remote access (free); Cloudflare + domain (~$3/yr via Porkbun) for sharing with others
- Content sourcing — legal acquisition methods, ripping owned media, Bandcamp, Qobuz downloads
- Storage — 2× 4TB WD Red NAS drives as starting point; RAID 5 for personal data, RAID 0 fine for media
- Power & noise — always-on power draw, noise levels if in living space
Recommended Starter Stack (from research)
| What | Tool | Est. Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware | Recycled office PC (HP EliteDesk / Dell Optiplex) | ~$75 |
| Storage | 2× 4TB WD Red | ~$150–200 |
| OS | Zima OS | Free / $29 lifetime |
| App management | Portainer | Free |
| Photos | Immich | Free |
| Media | Jellyfin or Plex | Free / ~$120 lifetime |
| Remote access | Tailscale | Free |
| Public URL | Cloudflare + domain (Porkbun) | ~$3/yr |
Note: Drive prices are rising — AI companies have bought up supply through 2029. Buy sooner rather than later.
Next Actions
- Tally current monthly subscription spend (the number will be motivating)
- Decide on hardware — check what’s available locally (old PC / Mac Mini / buy recycled)
- Start with Immich for photos — highest personal value, clear migration path
- Set up Jellyfin as media server (free, low-risk starting point)
- Research music stack — Navidrome vs PlexAmp
- Research Nextcloud / Syncthing for Dropbox replacement
- Map out phased rollout — migrate one service at a time, don’t cancel all at once
Notes
Working name is UnWired — will revisit for a better name. The goal isn’t just saving money; it’s owning the experience, having no arbitrary content removals, and keeping data private.