What You Need
Station runs on modest hardware. Here's what to get ready before you install.
A server
You need a Linux server with a public IP address. The installer supports Ubuntu 20.04 / 22.04 and Debian 11 / 12, and can set up Docker for you automatically on those systems.
| Resource | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | 1 vCPU (x86) | 2 vCPUs |
| RAM | 1 GB | 4 GB |
| Storage | 10 GB + space for your music | 40 GB SSD |
| Network | Stable connection | 20 TB/mo traffic |
1 GB of RAM is enough to get started. 4 GB gives you comfortable headroom as your catalog and listenership grow.
Where to get a server
Any VPS provider works. A few affordable options:
| Provider | Starting at | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cherry Servers | ~$4/mo | Global regions, hourly billing available |
| Netcup | ~$4/mo | Budget option |
| Contabo | ~$6/mo | More resources for the money |
| Hetzner | ~$7/mo | Reliable and well-documented; free trial credits |
Prices are starting points and change with region, plan, and availability — the cheapest plans can sell out, so the real cost may be higher. Pick any plan that meets the minimums above.
Spin up a server on Hetzner — this referral link includes free credits so you can try it without paying out of pocket. Or compare providers to find one that fits.
Prefer to run from home? You can, as long as your machine stays on, you can forward the required ports (see below), and you have a stable connection. Most artists choose a VPS for reliability.
A domain name
Your server needs a domain so listeners can reach it securely over HTTPS. You have two options, and the installer supports both:
- Your own domain (recommended) — use any subdomain, e.g.
music.yourdomain.com. Before installing, create an A record pointing that subdomain at your server's IP address. DNS changes can take anywhere from 5 to 60 minutes to take effect. - A free DuckDNS subdomain — no domain of your own? The installer can set up a free DuckDNS subdomain. Create a DuckDNS account and subdomain first, and have your token ready.
The installer checks that your domain points to your server before continuing, and it provisions a free HTTPS certificate from Let's Encrypt automatically. You don't have to configure any of that yourself.
Ports
Make sure these ports are reachable from the internet. Most VPS providers leave them open by default.
| Port | Purpose |
|---|---|
| 80 | HTTP — certificate validation and redirect to HTTPS |
| 443 | HTTPS — your dashboard and listener traffic |
| 4001 | Peer-to-peer networking (TCP) |
| 4002 | Peer-to-peer networking (QUIC / UDP) |
Storage planning
How much space your music needs:
- FLAC: ~30–50 MB per track
- MP3: ~8–12 MB per track
- Cover art: ~1–5 MB each
Example: 50 FLAC tracks ≈ 2–3 GB.
A wallet (only if you want to get paid)
Not required to install Station or stream your music — but your Fan Club, Storefront, and Treasury run on a blockchain, so they need a browser wallet like MetaMask.
You can set this up now or later; nothing about it depends on your server. On the current test network the tokens are free, so it costs nothing to try. See Blockchain Network.
Next step
Got your server and domain ready? → Install Station