DocuSeal Docker Compose Self-Hosted
Deploy a document signing platform for free using Docker Compose. No DocuSign bill. No SaaS vendor lock-in. Your data stays on your servers. Setup takes 15 minutes.
Typical annual DocuSign cost for a small team
DocuSeal Docker Compose costs zero. Opsily managed hosting starts at €20/month. That is 40x cheaper than DocuSign.
DocuSeal Self-Hosted vs DocuSign
Deploy DocuSeal with Docker Compose in 4 Steps
This is the fastest path from zero to a working document signing platform. No Docker experience required.
Choose Your App
Select an app to get started.
Clone the Repository
Get the official DocuSeal repo from GitHub. One command pulls the Docker Compose file and all config templates.
Configure Environment Variables
Set your base URL, secret key, and database password. Takes 2 minutes. Most users copy the example env file and tweak 3 lines.
Start the Services
Run 'docker-compose up -d'. DocuSeal app and PostgreSQL database spin up together. Logs tell you when it is ready.
Access Your Instance
Navigate to your domain. Create an admin account. Upload your first document. You are signing within 15 minutes.
The Docker Compose Architecture
DocuSeal runs as two containers: the app (Node.js) and the database (PostgreSQL). The docker-compose.yml file orchestrates both.
Two-Container Setup
The app container includes the signing UI, API, and document processing logic. PostgreSQL stores user accounts, documents, audit logs, and signing fields. A shared volume (docuseal-data) persists uploaded PDFs and database files between restarts.
Production Checklist
Before going live, verify these:
- Database password is unique and stored in your secrets manager (not in git)
- Reverse proxy (nginx, Caddy, Traefik) handles HTTPS and SSL certificates
- Volume mounts use absolute paths on your host server
- Email service (SMTP or SendGrid) is configured for signing reminders
- Backups run daily and store outside your server
- Firewall allows only HTTPS (443) and SSH (22) inbound
- Database backups are encrypted and stored off-site
Volume Persistence
The data volume must be on a persistent storage layer. If you are running on a VM without block storage, use an external Postgres RDS or similar. Docker Compose local volumes work for testing. Production deployments need replicated storage or managed database service.
Email Configuration
DocuSeal sends signing invites and reminders via SMTP. Set SMTP_HOST, SMTP_PORT, SMTP_USER, and SMTP_PASS as environment variables. Use a transactional email service like SendGrid, Mailgun, or PostalServer for reliability. Opsily manages this for you if you choose managed hosting.
Reverse Proxy Setup
DocuSeal listens on port 3000 by default. Use a reverse proxy to handle HTTPS, domain routing, and SSL certificate renewal. Caddy automatically obtains and renews Let's Encrypt certificates. Nginx requires manual certificate setup. Both work well.
Why Choose Opsily Over DIY Self-Hosting?
DocuSeal Docker Compose is simple. But running servers is not.
No DevOps Overhead
Database maintenance, backups, SSL renewal, and security patches run automatically. You focus on signing workflows, not server management. One dashboard, zero SSH commands.
EU Data Residency (GDPR Ready)
Your data stays in German data centers. No US infrastructure. Full GDPR compliance without extra effort. Perfect for legal teams, healthcare, and financial services in Europe.
Professional Support & Uptime
99.9% uptime SLA. 24/7 monitoring. Phone support for critical issues. DocuSeal running on your own hardware gives you zero guarantees. We handle that.
Built for teams who need reliability
Security & Compliance Built In
DocuSeal on Opsily meets the strict requirements of regulated industries.
GDPR Compliant
Data stored in EU data centers. Data Processing Agreement included. Signing data never leaves German servers.
ISO 27001 Ready
Opsily infrastructure passes security audits. Audit trails available for compliance reviews. Document signing creates cryptographic proof of signature.
End-to-End Encryption
SSL/TLS for all connections. Database encryption at rest. Email delivery secured. Your documents are never in transit unencrypted.
Automatic Backups
Daily encrypted backups to redundant storage. Disaster recovery tested monthly. Restore any point in the last 30 days.
Audit Logs
Every action logged: who signed, when, from where. Access logs retained for 90 days. Required for legal and healthcare compliance.
Pair DocuSeal With Other Apps
Complete your document workflow with storage, identity, and administration tools.
Open-source document signing and e-signature platform
Start Free or Go Managed
Self-hosted DocuSeal is always free. Pick a managed plan if you want zero infrastructure work.
Loading pricing...
Questions About DocuSeal Docker Setup
Answers to common questions from teams deploying DocuSeal self-hosted.
Clone the official DocuSeal GitHub repo, copy the docker-compose.yml file, set your environment variables (base URL, secret key, database password), then run 'docker-compose up -d'. The two containers (app + PostgreSQL) spin up together. You are signing documents within 15 minutes. The hardest part is setting up a reverse proxy for HTTPS, which takes another 10 minutes with Caddy or Nginx.
Ready to Sign Documents Your Way
Deploy free with Docker Compose today. Or let Opsily handle the ops. Either path, no vendor lock-in.