---
title: "Deploy EspoCRM | CRM Application on Railway"
description: "Self Host EspoCRM. Sales automation, contacts, leads, deals, and workflows"
category: "Other"
url: https://railway.com/deploy/espocrm
---

# Deploy EspoCRM | CRM Application on Railway

Self Host EspoCRM. Sales automation, contacts, leads, deals, and workflows

**[Deploy EspoCRM | CRM Application on Railway on Railway](https://railway.com/template/espocrm)**

- **Creator:** Heimdall
- **Category:** Other
- **Total deploys:** 25

## Template content

### EspoCRM https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/homarr-labs/dashboard-icons/svg/espocrm.svg

- **Image:** espocrm/espocrm:latest
- **Start command:** `/bin/sh -c 'a2dismod mpm_event 2>/dev/null; a2enmod mpm_prefork 2>/dev/null; docker-daemon.sh & apache2-foreground'`
- **Public domain:** Yes

### Postgres https://devicons.railway.app/i/postgresql.svg

- **Image:** ghcr.io/railwayapp-templates/postgres-ssl:18

## Documentation

![EspoCRM logo](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/espocrm/documentation/master/docs/_static/images/administration/installation/2.png)

# Deploy and Host EspoCRM on Railway

Deploy EspoCRM on Railway to get a fully functional, self-hosted CRM with sales automation, customer support, and email marketing — no per-user fees. Self-host EspoCRM with one click and run EspoCRM on Railway with PostgreSQL for persistent data storage and a background daemon for scheduled workflows and email processing.

This Railway template pre-configures the EspoCRM application server (`espocrm/espocrm`) with Railway-managed PostgreSQL, a persistent volume for application files, and a built-in background job processor for cron tasks and automated workflows.

## Getting Started with EspoCRM on Railway

After deployment completes, open your Railway-provided URL to access the EspoCRM login page. Sign in with the admin credentials configured during deployment (`admin` username and the generated password from the `ESPOCRM_ADMIN_PASSWORD` environment variable).

Your first step should be navigating to **Administration → Settings** to configure your company name, timezone, and default currency. Next, set up your email integration under **Administration → Email Accounts** by adding your IMAP/SMTP credentials — this enables EspoCRM's email tracking and mass email features. Create your first Contact or Lead to start building your CRM pipeline.

![EspoCRM dashboard screenshot](https://www.espocrm.com/wp-content/uploads/EspoCRM-Interface.png)

## About Hosting EspoCRM

EspoCRM is an open-source Customer Relationship Management platform built in PHP. It provides a modern, responsive web interface for managing contacts, leads, opportunities, and customer support cases — replacing expensive SaaS CRM tools like HubSpot or Salesforce with a self-hosted solution you fully control.

- **Sales automation** — customizable pipeline stages, deal tracking, lead scoring, and forecasting
- **Email integration** — IMAP/SMTP sync, mass email campaigns, email templates, and tracking
- **Customer support** — case management, SLA tracking, knowledge base, and customer portal
- **Business process automation** — visual BPM designer, workflow rules, and scheduled jobs
- **REST API** — full API access for custom integrations with n8n, Zapier, or any webhook-based tool
- **Customizable entities** — create custom fields, relationships, layouts, and modules without code

## Why Deploy EspoCRM on Railway

- No per-user licensing fees — unlimited users on the self-hosted AGPL edition
- PostgreSQL-backed for reliable, scalable data storage
- Background daemon handles scheduled workflows, email fetching, and notifications automatically
- One-click deploy with pre-configured environment variables and persistent storage
- Full data ownership — your CRM data stays on your infrastructure

## Common Use Cases for Self-Hosted EspoCRM

- **Sales pipeline management** — track deals from lead capture through close with customizable stages and probability forecasting
- **Customer support ticketing** — manage support cases with SLA rules, assignment workflows, and customer portal access
- **Email marketing campaigns** — send mass emails with templates, target lists, opt-out tracking, and delivery analytics
- **Business process automation** — design visual workflows that auto-assign leads, send notifications, and update records on schedule

## Dependencies for EspoCRM on Railway

- **EspoCRM** — `espocrm/espocrm:latest` (PHP 8.4 + Apache, includes CRM application and background daemon)
- **PostgreSQL** — Railway-managed database for persistent CRM data storage

### Environment Variables Reference for EspoCRM

| Variable | Description |
|---|---|
| `ESPOCRM_DATABASE_PLATFORM` | Database driver — set to `Postgresql` for Railway |
| `ESPOCRM_DATABASE_HOST` | PostgreSQL hostname (Railway private domain) |
| `ESPOCRM_ADMIN_USERNAME` | Admin account username (bootstrap-only) |
| `ESPOCRM_ADMIN_PASSWORD` | Admin account password (bootstrap-only, must be static) |
| `ESPOCRM_SITE_URL` | Full public URL with `https://` prefix |
| `PORT` | Container listening port for Railway routing |

### Deployment Dependencies

- **Runtime**: PHP 8.4 with Apache (included in Docker image)
- **Docker Hub**: [espocrm/espocrm](https://hub.docker.com/r/espocrm/espocrm)
- **GitHub**: [espocrm/espocrm](https://github.com/espocrm/espocrm)
- **Docs**: [docs.espocrm.com](https://docs.espocrm.com/)

## Hardware Requirements for Self-Hosting EspoCRM

| Resource | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | 1 vCPU | 2 vCPUs |
| RAM | 512 MB | 2 GB |
| Storage | 1 GB | 5 GB |
| Runtime | PHP 8.1+ | PHP 8.4 |

## Self-Hosting EspoCRM with Docker

Run EspoCRM locally using Docker Compose with PostgreSQL:

```
services:
  espocrm:
    image: espocrm/espocrm:latest
    ports:
      - "8080:80"
    environment:
      ESPOCRM_DATABASE_PLATFORM: Postgresql
      ESPOCRM_DATABASE_HOST: postgres
      ESPOCRM_DATABASE_PORT: "5432"
      ESPOCRM_DATABASE_NAME: espocrm
      ESPOCRM_DATABASE_USER: espocrm
      ESPOCRM_DATABASE_PASSWORD: changeme
      ESPOCRM_ADMIN_USERNAME: admin
      ESPOCRM_ADMIN_PASSWORD: admin123
      ESPOCRM_SITE_URL: "http://localhost:8080"
    volumes:
      - espocrm-data:/var/www/html

  postgres:
    image: postgres:16
    environment:
      POSTGRES_DB: espocrm
      POSTGRES_USER: espocrm
      POSTGRES_PASSWORD: changeme
    volumes:
      - pg-data:/var/lib/postgresql/data

volumes:
  espocrm-data:
  pg-data:
```

Start EspoCRM with a single command:

```
docker compose up -d
```

Access the CRM at `http://localhost:8080` and log in with `admin` / `admin123`.

## How Much Does EspoCRM Cost to Self-Host?

EspoCRM is free and open-source under the AGPL-3.0 license with no user limits. Self-hosting on Railway costs only your infrastructure usage — typically $5–15/month for small teams. Paid cloud hosting starts at $15/user/month. Optional paid extensions (Advanced Pack, Sales Pack, VoIP Integration) add features like visual BPM and advanced reporting.

## EspoCRM vs SuiteCRM — Which Self-Hosted CRM to Choose?

| Feature | EspoCRM | SuiteCRM |
|---|---|---|
| UI/UX | Modern, responsive SPA | Legacy UI (v7), improving in v8 |
| Ease of setup | Quick Docker deploy | More complex setup |
| G2 ease-of-setup score | 9.0/10 | 8.3/10 |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| BPM/Workflows | Visual designer (paid extension) | Built-in workflows |
| Best for | Small-to-mid teams wanting clean UX | Teams needing SugarCRM compatibility |

EspoCRM is the better choice for teams that value a modern interface and fast deployment. SuiteCRM offers broader built-in features but with a steeper learning curve and older UI.

## FAQ

**What is EspoCRM and why self-host it?**
EspoCRM is an open-source CRM application for managing contacts, leads, sales opportunities, and customer support. Self-hosting gives you full data ownership, no per-user fees, and the ability to customize without vendor lock-in.

**What does this Railway template deploy for EspoCRM?**
This template deploys the EspoCRM application server with Apache, a Railway-managed PostgreSQL database, a persistent volume for application files, and a background daemon for scheduled jobs — all pre-configured and ready to use.

**Why does EspoCRM on Railway need PostgreSQL?**
EspoCRM stores all CRM data (contacts, leads, deals, emails, workflows) in a relational database. PostgreSQL provides reliable, ACID-compliant storage. While EspoCRM traditionally uses MySQL/MariaDB, it fully supports PostgreSQL via the `ESPOCRM_DATABASE_PLATFORM=Postgresql` setting.

**How do I enable email integration in self-hosted EspoCRM?**
Navigate to Administration → Email Accounts and add your IMAP server credentials for incoming email sync. For outgoing email, configure SMTP under Administration → Outbound Emails. EspoCRM supports Gmail, Outlook, and any standard IMAP/SMTP server.

**Can I use EspoCRM's REST API for custom integrations on Railway?**
Yes. EspoCRM exposes a full REST API at `/api/v1/` with authentication via API keys or username/password. You can integrate with n8n, Zapier, or any webhook-based tool. Generate an API key under Administration → API Users.

**How do I run background jobs and scheduled workflows in EspoCRM on Railway?**
The Railway template includes the EspoCRM daemon as a background process in the same container. It handles cron jobs, scheduled workflows, email fetching, and notification delivery automatically — no separate worker service needed.


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