![OnlyOffice online office suite Image](https://res.cloudinary.com/dojdzamvk/image/upload/v1761751455/only-office_sjnhbj.webp "Deploying OnlyOffice on Railway platform”)

Deploy and Host Managed ONLYOFFICE Service with one click on Railway

ONLYOFFICE is a free, open-source office suite available on GitHub that provides powerful document, spreadsheet, and presentation editing capabilities - all in your own private cloud. Designed as a privacy-focused alternative to Google Workspace and Microsoft 365, ONLYOFFICE enables individuals, teams, and enterprises to collaborate securely while keeping full control over their data.

About Hosting ONLYOFFICE on Railway (Self Hosting ONLYOFFICE on Railway)

You can self-host ONLYOFFICE to maintain full ownership and control of your data. Hosting it on Railway eliminates the need to manage complex server infrastructure manually. Railway’s one-click deployment and managed environment make running ONLYOFFICE smooth, scalable, and maintenance-free.

Why Deploy Managed ONLYOFFICE Service on Railway

Deploying a managed ONLYOFFICE service on Railway offers a powerful mix of privacy, control, and convenience. It combines the flexibility of self-hosting with the automation of a modern cloud platform.

With Railway, you get:

• Effortless Setup: One-click deployment with automatic provisioning.

• Auto Scaling: Railway adjusts your resources as usage grows.

• Simplified Maintenance: No manual updates or patching needed.

• Secure Hosting: Managed containers ensure your instance is isolated and secure.

This lets you focus entirely on productivity and collaboration, not on managing infrastructure.

Railway vs DigitalOcean:

While DigitalOcean requires you to manually configure droplets, install dependencies, and manage backups for your ONLYOFFICE setup, Railway provides one-click deployment with auto-scaling and integrated storage - perfect for hassle-free document hosting.

Railway vs Vultr:

Vultr gives you flexibility but expects manual setup and configuration for document servers. Railway automates these tasks - you just click deploy, set a few environment variables, and your ONLYOFFICE suite is live.

Railway vs AWS Lightsail:

AWS Lightsail involves networking setup, storage configuration, and OS management. Railway abstracts these layers entirely, giving you a clean, easy-to-use interface with zero infrastructure complexity.

Railway vs Hetzner:

Hetzner offers competitive pricing but expects full hands-on server management. Railway takes care of everything - you get enterprise-grade performance and automated scaling without ever logging into a terminal.

Common Use Cases

Here are some common use cases for ONLYOFFICE:

1. Collaborative Document Editing: Teams can work simultaneously on Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files directly in their browser.

2. Secure Enterprise Productivity Suite: Organizations can deploy ONLYOFFICE as their internal office suite to ensure data privacy.

3. Integration with Cloud Storage: Connect ONLYOFFICE with platforms like Nextcloud, Seafile, or ownCloud for seamless document management.

4. Project and CRM Management: The ONLYOFFICE Workspace edition includes project tracking, mail, and CRM tools for teams.

Dependencies for ONLYOFFICE hosted on Railway

To host ONLYOFFICE on Railway, you typically need:

• PostgreSQL database (for backend data storage)

• Redis (for caching and performance optimization)

• Document Server (core of ONLYOFFICE that handles file rendering and editing)

• Web Application (if using ONLYOFFICE Workspace)

Deployment Dependencies for Managed ONLYOFFICE Service

A managed ONLYOFFICE service requires a PostgreSQL database, Redis instance, and the Document Server runtime environment - all automatically provisioned and maintained by Railway.

Implementation Details for ONLYOFFICE

To deploy ONLYOFFICE, you’ll configure environment variables such as:

• DB_TYPE = PostgreSQL

• DB_HOST = your database host

• DB_USER = username

• DB_PASS = password

• DB_NAME = ONLYOFFICE database name

How does ONLYOFFICE compare with other office suites

ONLYOFFICE vs Google Workspace

ONLYOFFICE is open-source and self-hosted, giving you full control and data privacy. Google Workspace is a closed, cloud-based SaaS with limited privacy options. ONLYOFFICE matches Google’s collaboration tools while ensuring no third-party has access to your data.

ONLYOFFICE vs Microsoft 365

Microsoft 365 provides excellent online editing tools but stores data on Microsoft’s servers. ONLYOFFICE provides similar document compatibility and features, with the added advantage of private hosting and open-source flexibility.

ONLYOFFICE vs LibreOffice Online

LibreOffice Online is open-source but lacks the same real-time collaboration features. ONLYOFFICE provides simultaneous editing, integrated chat, and compatibility with Microsoft formats out-of-the-box.

ONLYOFFICE vs Collabora Online

Collabora is another open-source alternative based on LibreOffice. ONLYOFFICE stands out with a modern UI, faster performance, and deeper integrations with storage platforms like Nextcloud.

How to Use ONLYOFFICE

1. Deploy the ONLYOFFICE Server: Use Railway’s one-click deployment button.

2. Configure Environment Variables: Set your database and Redis connection settings.

3. Access the Dashboard: Open the provided Railway domain in your browser.

4. Connect Storage: Integrate with your Nextcloud or ownCloud instance.

5. Start Editing: Upload documents and collaborate with your team in real time.

You can also integrate ONLYOFFICE with any web application via its API or embedding functionality.

How to Self Host ONLYOFFICE on Other VPS

Clone the Repository

Clone the official GitHub repository using:

git clone https://github.com/ONLYOFFICE/Docker-DocumentServer.git

Install Dependencies

Ensure your VPS includes Docker or a compatible container runtime, PostgreSQL, and Redis.

Configure Environment Variables

Set your database credentials and other necessary variables.

Start the Application

Run your ONLYOFFICE container and expose the necessary ports.

Access the Web Interface

Navigate to your VPS’s IP or domain and begin using the document suite.

With Railway, these steps are automated into a single-click deployment.

Deploy Now!

Features of ONLYOFFICE

• Full compatibility with Microsoft Office formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx)

• Collaborative real-time document editing

• Built-in chat and commenting system

• Integration with Nextcloud, ownCloud, and Seafile

• Advanced document version control

• Role-based access management

Official Pricing of ONLYOFFICE Cloud Service

ONLYOFFICE offers both cloud-hosted and self-hosted editions. The cloud plan starts at $5 per user per month, providing all core features, automatic updates, and secure backups. Enterprise and developer editions are available with extended support and scalability options.

Self-hosted versions, like the one deployed on Railway, are completely free under the AGPL license, allowing unlimited usage and customization. [Updated Oct’25]

Self Hosting ONLYOFFICE vs Paid Cloud Plans

Self Hosting:

• Free and open-source

• Full control over your data

• Customizable and private

Cloud Plans:

• Managed hosting by ONLYOFFICE

• Automatic updates and backups

• Ideal for non-technical users

Monthly Cost of Self Hosting ONLYOFFICE on Railway

Self-hosting ONLYOFFICE on Railway generally costs $5–$15 USD per month, depending on resource usage and database storage. Compared to SaaS pricing, this is significantly cheaper for small teams or organizations.

System Requirements for Hosting ONLYOFFICE

• RAM: 2 GB minimum (4 GB recommended)

• CPU: 2 cores or more

• Storage: 10 GB minimum

• Database: PostgreSQL 10+

• Redis: For caching

• Network: Stable broadband connection

Railway automatically adjusts these resources based on your plan.

FAQs

What is ONLYOFFICE?

ONLYOFFICE is an open-source office suite for editing and collaborating on documents, spreadsheets, and presentations online, with complete data control.

How do I self host ONLYOFFICE?

You can self-host ONLYOFFICE using Railway by deploying the official container in one click and connecting it to PostgreSQL and Redis.

What are the main features of ONLYOFFICE?

ONLYOFFICE supports collaborative editing, document version control, chat, comments, integration with storage platforms, and Microsoft format compatibility.

How do I deploy ONLYOFFICE on Railway?

Click the Deploy Now button on Railway’s template page, set up your database environment variables, and Railway will automatically handle provisioning and scaling.

Is ONLYOFFICE free?

Yes. The self-hosted version is completely free and open-source under the AGPL license.

Can I integrate ONLYOFFICE with Nextcloud or ownCloud?

Yes, ONLYOFFICE integrates seamlessly with Nextcloud, ownCloud, and other file storage systems for collaborative document editing.

How much does it cost to self host ONLYOFFICE on Railway?

Typically between $5–$15 per month, depending on your selected plan and storage usage.

Is ONLYOFFICE suitable for enterprises?

Yes. ONLYOFFICE offers enterprise-grade scalability, LDAP integration, and advanced access control.

Where can I find the official ONLYOFFICE source code?

You can find it on GitHub at https://github.com/ONLYOFFICE.