havenSelf-hostable private blogging

haven

Haven is a self-hostable private blogging platform built with Ruby on Rails that prioritizes privacy and ease of use. It enables you to share updates with friends and family through a built-in web interface, complete with user management, markdown editing, and private RSS feeds—all without the complexity and commercial focus of traditional blogging platforms.

Key Features

• Privacy-first design: No self-signup or public access; you control who gets invited to read your blog
• Low-bandwidth optimized: Automatic image downscaling, no JavaScript frameworks, and no ads or trackers
• Built-in RSS functionality: Share private RSS feeds with friends and use the integrated reader to follow other blogs
• Easy customization: Add custom CSS or fonts and write posts with markdown and live preview
• Rich media support: Host images, videos, and audio directly on your blog

Use Cases

• Family updates: Share life moments with close relatives through a private, ad-free space
• Friend networks: Keep a close circle of friends connected with automatic RSS notifications
• Personal journaling: Write freely on your own server without commercial surveillance or data harvesting

Who Is It For

Haven is ideal for individuals and small groups who want to self-host a blogging platform focused on privacy and simplicity. It's designed for personal sharing with friends and family rather than commercial or large-scale public blogging.