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A Beginner-Friendly Guide to Self-Hosting Threema in a Decentralized Environment

This guide walks you through how to self-host Threema in a decentralized environment, covering licensing, setup, hosting platforms, data security, and maintenance. Ideal for privacy-focused individuals and organizations, it outlines best practices and real-world compliance strategies for running a secure, independent Threema server.

5 min read
Self-host Threema securely and privately

🧭 Overview of Threema and Decentralization

What is Threema?

Threema is a privacy-focused secure messaging application developed in Switzerland. Known for its end-to-end encryption, it allows users to send text messages, voice messages, images, videos, and even conduct voice and video calls without compromising their privacy. What makes Threema stand out is its Swiss data protection law compliance, anonymity (no phone number/email required), and independent infrastructure, offering strong security without user tracking or profiling.

Core features of Threema:

  • End-to-end encryption by default
  • Anonymous usage (no phone number/email required)
  • No ads, no data mining
  • Secure group chats, polling, and file sharing
  • Threema Work (for enterprises) and Threema OnPrem (for self-hosted deployments)

What is Decentralized Hosting?

Decentralized hosting involves deploying applications or services across independently managed servers rather than relying on a central authority or cloud provider. Unlike traditional centralized systems where one provider owns and controls user data, decentralized hosting puts the power back into users’ hands, allowing for greater autonomy and privacy.

Benefits of decentralized hosting:

  • Enhanced control over data and infrastructure
  • Reduced risk of mass surveillance or third-party data breaches
  • Better resilience and independence from major tech companies
  • Improved compliance with local data protection laws (e.g., GDPR)

💻 Self-Hosting Options

Is Threema Free to Host?

No, Threema is not open-source or free for self-hosting. It offers a paid enterprise-grade solution called Threema OnPrem, designed for organizations or individuals seeking full data ownership and independent infrastructure.

Threema OnPrem Licensing & Pricing Model

Threema OnPrem is offered as a paid license under a one-time setup fee plus a per-user pricing model. As of the latest available details:

  • Setup Fee: CHF 3,800 (approx. USD 4,200)
  • User Licenses: Start from CHF 11.90/user/year (~USD 13)
  • Minimum order: 150 users

❗ Note: These figures may change. Visit the official Threema OnPrem page or contact their sales team for updated quotes.

How to Purchase a License

  1. Visit: https://threema.ch/en/onprem
  2. Submit Inquiry: Use the contact form to describe your intended deployment scale.
  3. Receive Quotation: A sales representative will provide a detailed quote.
  4. Purchase & Access: Upon purchase, you’ll receive access to installation packages and documentation.
  5. Deployment Assistance (Optional): You can optionally engage Threema’s professional support team for installation guidance.

🌐 Hosting Platforms

You can host Threema OnPrem in various environments depending on your scale and security needs.

1. Cloud VPS

Ideal for quick deployment and moderate privacy:

  • Providers: Hetzner, DigitalOcean, Linode, etc.
  • Minimum Specs:
    • 2 vCPU
    • 4 GB RAM
    • 50 GB SSD
    • Linux (Ubuntu/Debian preferred)

2. Dedicated Servers

Best for larger user bases or strict data locality:

  • Specs for 500+ users:
    • 4-8 core CPU (Xeon/i7 equivalent)
    • 16–32 GB RAM
    • 500 GB+ NVMe SSD
    • RAID setup for redundancy

3. Local Self-Hosting (e.g., Raspberry Pi 5)

Great for privacy-focused hobbyists or small groups:

  • Recommended Raspberry Pi 5 Specs:
    • 8 GB RAM
    • 128 GB SSD (via USB 3.0 or NVMe adapter)
    • Passive cooling, UPS for power protection
  • Use Case: ~10–20 users, local-only communication (LAN)

⚠️ Ensure the device has strong internet bandwidth and consistent uptime if it’s used beyond local communication.

🛠️ Installation and Setup

🔒 Important: These steps assume you’ve obtained the Threema OnPrem license.

Prerequisites:

  • Linux system (Debian/Ubuntu recommended)
  • Root access or sudo privileges
  • Static IP and DNS setup (for public access)
  • SSL certificate (e.g., Let’s Encrypt or custom CA)
  • Docker and Docker Compose (preferred method)
  • Firewall configuration

Step-by-Step Setup:

  1. Update System

    sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

  2. Install Docker & Docker Compose

    sudo apt install docker.io docker-compose -y
sudo systemctl enable docker

  3. Configure Firewall

    sudo ufw allow 80,443/tcp
sudo ufw enable

  4. Install SSL Certificate

    • Use Let’s Encrypt (Certbot) or upload your own certificates to /etc/ssl/threema

  5. Download Threema OnPrem Packages

    • Extract the tarball provided by Threema into /opt/threema

  6. Edit Configuration Files

    • Define database settings, ports, SSL paths, and admin credentials

  7. Start the Service

    cd /opt/threema && docker-compose up -d

  8. Verify the Deployment

    • Access the web interface via https://yourdomain.com/admin
    • Create user accounts and start testing securely

🔐 Securing Data and Privacy

Local Storage Protection

Whether you host on a Raspberry Pi or a dedicated server:

  • Encrypt disks using LUKS or BitLocker (Windows)
  • Store backups on separate encrypted volumes
  • Use read-only OS images for air-gapped environments

Encryption Strategies

  • Use SSL/TLS with strong ciphers (disable older protocols)
  • Enable full-disk encryption for physical storage
  • Encrypt backups using GPG or age

Jurisdictional & Privacy Law Considerations

  • Prefer privacy-respecting jurisdictions like Switzerland, Iceland, or Finland
  • Avoid cloud providers in 5/9/14 Eyes countries
  • Review GDPR and local surveillance laws applicable to your region

🔄 Ongoing Maintenance

Maintenance Best Practices

  • Apply updates weekly (OS, Threema software, Docker)
  • Enable audit logging and set up log rotation
  • Use monitoring tools like Uptime Kuma, Prometheus, or Grafana
  • Schedule automated encrypted backups (daily or weekly)

Incident Response

  • Prepare a runbook for downtime or breach response
  • Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for admin access
  • Use tools like Fail2Ban and auditd for intrusion monitoring

Resources to Stay Updated

  • Threema’s official support portal
  • Mailing lists or RSS for vulnerability alerts (e.g., US-CERT)
  • Community forums and GitHub repositories (for open tools around Threema integration)

✅ Real-World Best Practices

  • Follow NIST SP 800-53 or ISO 27001 for secure system design
  • Segregate network layers (DMZ for Threema frontend, isolated DB layer)
  • Deploy in a zero-trust architecture with minimal open ports
  • Use OpenVPN or WireGuard for remote access control

Summary of Key Steps:

  1. Understand your user capacity and deployment scale
  2. Purchase Threema OnPrem licenses via official channels
  3. Choose a secure hosting platform (cloud or self-hosted)
  4. Install using Docker, configure firewalls, and apply SSL
  5. Encrypt all stored data and ensure compliance with local laws
  6. Maintain system health and security with routine updates
  7. Document your procedures and review them quarterly

🎯 Practical Tips for Long-Term Success

  • Rotate credentials and certificates every 6–12 months
  • Schedule penetration testing every year or after major changes
  • Educate users on secure messaging practices (e.g., recognizing phishing)
  • Keep a detailed changelog and security log archive
  • Join privacy advocacy communities for support and resources

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