Host for your friends.
Your hardware, your rules.
Running an OrOrbit server is like hosting a Minecraft server — your PC becomes the hub and your friends connect over the internet. Your messages, images, and files live on YOUR computer.
What does hosting mean?
You run the server
OrOrbit Server is a standalone app that runs on your computer (or a VPS). It stores all the messages, files, and voice data for your community. Think of it like a game server — one person runs it, everyone else connects.
Your friends use the client
Everyone else downloads OrOrbit (the client). They click your invite link, create an identity, and they're in. No accounts, no sign-ups, no app store purchases. The client is separate from the server — you can run both on the same machine, or on different ones.
No data leaves your network
Unlike traditional chat platforms, your data never passes through a company's cloud. Messages, files, and voice streams go directly between your server and your friends.
Choose your hosting path
Three ways to run an OrOrbit server, from easiest to most advanced.
OrOrbit Server App
Recommended for desktopA standalone desktop application with a setup wizard and admin panel. Download, install, run the wizard, and your server is live. No command line, no configuration files.
- ✓ Windows today (macOS and Linux coming soon)
- ✓ Visual setup wizard
- ✓ Built-in admin panel
- ✓ Auto-updates
Docker
AdvancedFor users who already run Docker infrastructure. A Dockerfile and compose config are included in the repo. Works on any Linux server, VPS, or NAS that supports Docker.
OrOrbit Pulsar
EasiestDon't want to host at all? Pulsar managed hosting is coming soon. We'll run the server, handle updates, backups, connectivity, and security. You just use it.
- ✓ Zero setup — server is live in seconds
- ✓ Automatic backups, updates, and SSL
- ✓ Custom subdomain or domain
- ✓ IP masking and DDoS protection
Platform support
| Platform | Server App (GUI) | Headless (CLI) | Docker |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows | ✓ | — | WSL2 |
| macOS | Coming soon | — | ✓ |
| Linux (x64) | Coming soon | Coming soon | ✓ |
| Linux (ARM64) | Coming soon | Coming soon | ✓ |
Security FAQ
Common questions about self-hosting security.
Can people hack into my server?
OrOrbit follows security best practices: rate limiting, input validation, CSRF protection, and encrypted connections by default. The same protections used by production web applications. That said, any internet-facing service has some inherent risk. We recommend keeping your server software up to date and using the built-in tunnel if you're not comfortable with port forwarding.
Does hosting expose my IP address?
By default, direct connections reveal your server's IP to connected clients. If privacy is a concern, use OrOrbit's built-in tunnel (no IP exposure) or upgrade to Pulsar for full IP masking and a custom domain.
What happens if my PC goes offline?
If your server machine is off, nobody can connect until it's back on. For always-on availability, consider a VPS or Pulsar managed hosting. All messages and files are stored on the server machine, so they'll be there when it comes back.
Am I responsible for my users' content?
As a server host, you control what happens on your server. You can moderate, remove content, and ban users. You're responsible for the content hosted on your hardware the same way you'd be responsible for anything stored on your own computer.
Is my data backed up?
OrOrbit Server includes tools for database backups, but you're responsible for running them. The admin panel makes it easy to schedule automatic backups. For worry-free backups, Pulsar handles this automatically.
Hosting responsibility
When you host an OrOrbit server, you are the operator. You're responsible for keeping the software updated, securing your network, backing up your data, and moderating content. OrOrbit provides the tools — automatic updates, built-in security, admin controls — but the responsibility is yours. If you'd prefer not to manage this, Pulsar handles everything for you.
Ready to host?
Download OrOrbit Server, run the setup wizard, and share the invite link. The whole thing takes about two minutes.