---
title: "Deploy Isso"
description: "Commenting server that adds a comment box to any web page"
category: "Blogs"
url: https://railway.com/deploy/isso
---

# Deploy Isso

Commenting server that adds a comment box to any web page

**[Deploy Isso on Railway](https://railway.com/template/isso)**

Machine-readable deploy manifest (JSON, validated by TemplateCI): https://railway.com/deploy/isso/manifest.json

- **Creator:** A3A
- **Category:** Blogs
- **Total deploys:** 1

## Template content

### isso https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/isso-comments/isso@0.14.0/isso/img/isso.svg

- **Source:** https://github.com/gridalpha/isso-railway
- **Health check:** /info
- **Public domain:** Yes

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

- **Image:** axllent/mailpit:latest
- **Health check:** /livez
- **Public domain:** Yes

## Documentation

# Deploy and Host Isso on Railway

Isso is a commenting server that gives a static site the discussion thread a site generator can't provide. Drop one `
<section id="isso-thread"></section>
```

Add that page's origin to `ISSO_HOST` first, or the browser blocks the request.

Running Isso elsewhere means the same image plus a configuration file. This starts it with Docker, mounting a config directory and a database directory:

```
mkdir -p config db
curl -o config/isso.cfg \
  https://raw.githubusercontent.com/isso-comments/isso/master/contrib/isso.sample.cfg
# set dbpath = /db/comments.db and host = https://yourblog.example
docker run -d --name isso -p 8080:8080 \
  -v "$PWD/config:/config" -v "$PWD/db:/db" \
  ghcr.io/isso-comments/isso:0
```

The `[general] host` key is mandatory — Isso refuses to start when it is empty, because that list doubles as the CORS allow-list.

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

Isso is free and open source under the MIT licence — no paid tier, no hosted plan, no per-comment pricing, which is why people move to it from Disqus or Hyvor Talk. On Railway you pay only for the compute, memory and storage the two services use.

## Isso vs Other Comment Systems

| | Isso | Disqus | Commento |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-hosted | Yes | No | Yes |
| Reader account required | No | Yes | Optional |
| Database | SQLite | Hosted | PostgreSQL |
| Tracking / ads | None | Yes | None |
| Licence | MIT | Proprietary | MIT |


## FAQ

**What is Isso?**
An open-source commenting server that embeds a comment thread in any web page with one script tag. It is a self-hosted replacement for Disqus and stores comments in SQLite.

**What does this Railway template deploy?**
Two services: `isso`, the commenting server with a volume for its SQLite database, and `mailpit`, a capture-only SMTP server for its moderation and reply notifications.

**Why does the template include a mail server?**
Moderation and reply notifications are both e-mail, and without SMTP they fail silently. Mailpit captures the mail so both work immediately; point `ISSO_SMTP_HOST` at a real relay to have it delivered.

**How do I log in to the Isso admin panel?**
Go to `/admin/` on the `isso` service's domain. There is no username — Isso authenticates with one password, generated into the `ISSO_ADMIN_PASSWORD` variable, which you can read or change in the Railway dashboard.

**How do I add comments to my Hugo or Jekyll blog?**
Set `ISSO_HOST` to your blog's URL, then put the `

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