Fess

Powerful and easily deployable Enterprise Search Server.

Apache-2.0Reading & links
GitHub stars
1,141
License
Apache-2.0
Latest release
fess-15.8.0
20 August 2026
Last commit
13 October 2026
Runs on
Java, Docker

Commits per month, last 12 months

680 commits

How to self-host Fess

Fess runs on Java and Docker. The project's own install guide is the place to start; most people put it on a small server with Docker and a reverse proxy for HTTPS.

  1. Get a server: a home server, a VPS, or a managed app host.
  2. Install it the way the project's docs describe, usually with Docker Compose.
  3. Put it behind HTTPS and set up backups before you add real data.
  4. Update it regularly. Watch the project's releases.

New to self-hosting? Start with the beginner's guide.

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Questions

Is Fess free?

Yes. Fess is open source under the Apache-2.0 license, so you can use it without paying for a license. You pay only for the server it runs on.

Can I self-host Fess?

Yes. Fess runs on Java and Docker. Follow the install guide in the project's documentation, or use a host that installs it for you.

Is Fess still maintained?

The last change to Fess's code was on 13 October 2026, with 680 commits in the last 12 months.

Topics

Search Engines

App data from awesome-selfhosted (CC BY-SA 3.0), stars and activity from GitHub.