Selfish makes the files on your device. Hosting is the service that makes those files available to readers. You pay for the app once; any hosting charges are separate.
Start with the amount of setup you want
For a first personal blog: a managed static host such as Netlify or Cloudflare Pages avoids maintaining a server. Check the current plan’s limits before choosing it, especially how often you can deploy and what happens when you reach your allowance.
If you already run a server: use SFTP and keep your existing setup. Selfish works with an SSH/SFTP account and a writable web folder. A DigitalOcean Droplet, a Hetzner server or another Linux VPS can provide that; you still need to configure the web server and HTTPS yourself.
If you already have storage or a sync workflow: use S3-compatible storage, WebDAV or a folder. Confirm how that destination will serve a public website; being able to upload files is only one part of hosting.
Compare the supported destinations
| Destination | Setup in Selfish | What you manage | Setup guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netlify | An existing site and a personal access token. | The site, token, domain and plan allowance. HTTPS and CDN are managed by the host. | Netlify |
| Cloudflare Pages | A Direct Upload project, account details and API token. | Project, token and domain. Choose Direct Upload for this workflow. | Cloudflare Pages |
| GitHub Pages | A repository and token. | Repository, Pages settings and domain. Check GitHub’s usage policies for your intended site. | GitHub Pages |
| Your server over SFTP | Host, port, user, remote path and password or SSH key. | Server updates, web server, HTTPS, backups and permissions. | SFTP |
| S3-compatible storage | Bucket, endpoint, region and access keys. | Public serving, permissions, HTTPS and any CDN you put in front. | S3 |
| WebDAV | Server address, path and login. | A server that supports WebDAV and a way to serve the uploaded files. | WebDAV |
| Folder | A folder you choose on your device. | The sync or deployment service that takes it online. | Folder |
Read the provider’s current terms before signing up: Netlify pricing, Cloudflare Pages limits, GitHub Pages limits, and DigitalOcean Droplets. Free plans have limits; a paid plan is not automatically necessary for a small blog.
Before paying for shared hosting
Ask the host whether your particular plan supports SFTP over SSH, rather than FTP or FTPS, and which folder it serves publicly. Selfish needs one of its supported destinations. A host advertising “website hosting” or “FTP access” alone does not establish compatibility.
For a VPS, confirm that you are comfortable administering it. Buying a server does not configure a website automatically. Our server setup walkthrough explains that part.
Your domain belongs in Site URL
Start on a host-provided address if that makes setup easier. When your domain is ready, enter the final public address in Site Settings → Site → Site URL and publish again. Selfish uses it for canonical links, feeds and the sitemap. Custom domains explains the DNS checks.
Moving an existing blog
Netlify and Cloudflare Pages can serve the redirect rules Selfish writes for imported post addresses. On other destinations Selfish writes forwarding pages; you can configure server redirects separately. Check your important old links before switching DNS. The WordPress migration checklist covers the checks.
About these recommendations
These are the app’s supported publishing methods, with different costs and responsibilities. The provider links on this page are ordinary links: we do not currently earn a commission from them. If we add affiliate links later, we will label them beside the recommendation. The choice will still include free and self-hosted options.
Get Selfish on the App Store, or read the publishing guide before you decide.