Yacy

Peer based, decentralized search engine server.

GitHub stars
4,063
License
GPL-2.0
Last commit
23 September 2026
Runs on
Java, Docker, Kubernetes

Commits per month, last 12 months

208 commits

Replaces

Paid products Yacy can stand in for.

How to self-host Yacy

Yacy runs on Java, Docker and Kubernetes. 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 Yacy free?

Yes. Yacy is open source under the GPL-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 Yacy?

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

What does Yacy replace?

People use Yacy instead of Google Search.

Is Yacy still maintained?

The last change to Yacy's code was on 23 September 2026, with 208 commits in the last 12 months.

Topics

Search Engines

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