> ## Content Index
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> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Best Commenting Systems for Websites That You Can Self-Host
- URL: https://linuxhandbook.com/self-host-comment-system/
- Published: 2021-08-05T06:30:49.000Z
- Updated: 2025-01-28T11:33:37.000Z
- Description: Here are some ad-free, private commenting systems that you can self-host and own the user data.
- Author: Abhishek Prakash
- Tags: Self Host

Having a great comment system is essential for building a community around your website. 

However, it is not easy to find a good commenting system that you can self-host on your server.

At present, I am using [FastComments](https://fastcomments.com/?via=itsfoss&ref=linuxhandbook.com) on Linux Handbook because it allows SSO login with Ghost CMS. 

[FastComments.comLive embedded commenting, fast.![](https://linuxhandbook.com/content/images/icon/favicon.ico)Commenting Done Right![](https://linuxhandbook.com/content/images/thumbnail/logo-1080-2020-01.png)](https://fastcomments.com/?via=itsfoss&ref=linuxhandbook.com)

There are tons of other free and paid commenting services available, such as Disqus, OpenWeb, [Hyvor Talk](https://talk.hyvor.com/?aff=36672&ref=linuxhandbook.com) etc.

But their free tier displays crappy ads and you may not want to pay $15 per month just for having comments on your system.

Moreover, you don't get the feel of owning the data. Your community's data is shared by a third-party service, and some commenting systems may not allow exporting comments easily.

As we experiment extensively with such things on Linux Handbook here, I thought of sharing some lesser-known but nice commenting systems that you can self-host.

📋

This is not a WordPress-specific article. I have deliberately skipped WordPress comments plugins here.

## Chirpy

![Chirpy self hosted commenting system](https://linuxhandbook.com/content/images/2025/01/chirpy-commenting-system.png)

💬 [Example of commenting system](https://chirpy.dev/blog/open-source?ref=linuxhandbook.com)  
🌐 [Official website](https://chirpy.dev/?ref=linuxhandbook.com)  
📦 [GitHub repository](https://github.com/devrsi0n/chirpy?ref=linuxhandbook.com)  
📄 [Deployment documents](https://chirpy.dev/docs/self-hosted?ref=linuxhandbook.com)

Chirpy is a new player in the commenting platform market. The devs mentioned that they created Chirpy because platforms like Disqus shared user data without their consent.

It sure looks beautiful. If you want a modern looking privacy commenting system, this could be a good choice.

Chirpy also offers paid hosted service that has a limited free plan as well. It can also be self-hosted although there are no Vercel templates at the moment of writing this section.

## Isso

![Isso comment](https://linuxhandbook.com/content/images/2021/08/isso-comments.png)

Isso is a free and open source commenting server similar to Disqus. Users can write comments in Markdown. There is also the option to edit or delete own comments within 15 minutes.

It uses Python and SQLite in the backend and you can deploy it on any website using a single 40kb JavaScript.

Isso also allows you to import comments from Disqus and WordPress. That's an additional benefit.

💬 [Example of commenting system](https://isso-comments.de/?ref=linuxhandbook.com)  
🌐 [Official website](https://isso-comments.de/?ref=linuxhandbook.com)  
📦 [GitHub repository](https://github.com/isso-comments/isso/?ref=linuxhandbook.com)  
📄 [Deployment documents](https://isso-comments.de/community/?ref=linuxhandbook.com)

We have also created our own [self-hosting guide for Isso with Docker](https://linuxhandbook.com/deploy-isso-comment/).

[Deploying Isso Commenting System Under Nginx With DockerFollow this Docker Compose approach to make an easy deployment of Isso on a server based on the official Dockerfile from the devs.![](https://linuxhandbook.com/favicon.png)Linux HandbookAvimanyu Bandyopadhyay![](https://linuxhandbook.com/content/images/2021/08/isso-comment-deployment.png)](https://linuxhandbook.com/deploy-isso-comment/)

## Bandurria

![Bandurria self hosted commenting system](https://linuxhandbook.com/content/images/2025/01/banduria-comments.webp)

Another new commenting system. This one is built on Rust and requires only 4 MB of RAM to operate. You can embed it with a JavaScript of 9 KB. Talk about being lightweight.

You can customize with CSS to match your website's style.

💬 [Example of commenting system](https://valeriansaliou.name/blog/makair-series-the-building-blocks-of-a-mechanical-ventilator/?ref=linuxhandbook.com)  
🌐 [Official website](https://crates.io/crates/bandurria?ref=linuxhandbook.com)  
📦 [GitHub repository](https://github.com/valeriansaliou/bandurria?ref=linuxhandbook.com)  
📄 [Deployment documents](https://github.com/valeriansaliou/bandurria?tab=readme-ov-file&ref=linuxhandbook.com#how-to-use-it)

## Remark42

![Remark42 self hosted commenting system](https://linuxhandbook.com/content/images/2025/01/remark42.png)

Lightweight, self-hosted commenting option, Remark42 is a simple tool. There are a few useful features here such as importing from Disqus and WordPress, exporting to JSON etc. You can also get notified about new comments via Slack, Telegram and email.

Remark42 also allows social login via Google, Facebook, GitHub etc apart from the usual email logins. It can also allow anonymous comments if you want.

💬 [Example of commenting system](https://remark42.com/demo/?ref=linuxhandbook.com)  
🌐 [Official website](https://remark42.com/?ref=linuxhandbook.com)  
📦 [GitHub repository](https://github.com/umputun/remark42?ref=linuxhandbook.com)  
📄 [Deployment documents](https://remark42.com/docs/getting-started/installation/?ref=linuxhandbook.com)

## Comentario

![Comentario self-hosted, open source commenting system](https://linuxhandbook.com/content/images/2024/05/commentario-commenting-system-screenshot.webp)

[Comentario](https://comentario.app/en/?ref=linuxhandbook.com) is an open source commenting system that you can easily self-host with Docker. It is clean and lightweight, with just 20 KB of additional weight to your webpage.

It is the successor to the abandoned Commento project.

Like Commento, it supports Markdown syntax and visitors have option to upvote or downvote comments. As the website owner, you could also feature a comment by making it 'sticky'.

Threaded comments are also there. Owners and moderators are labeled properly, which is a good thing.

You can self-host Commento using Docker. A hosted cloud version is planned but not available yet.

💬 [Example of commenting system](https://demo.comentario.app/?ref=linuxhandbook.com)  
🌐 [Official website](https://comentario.app/en/?ref=linuxhandbook.com)  
📦 [GitLab repository](https://gitlab.com/comentario/comentario?ref=linuxhandbook.com)  
📄 [Deployment documents](https://docs.comentario.app/en/installation/?ref=linuxhandbook.com)

## Giscus

![Giscus self hosted commenting system based on GitHub Discussions](https://linuxhandbook.com/content/images/2022/01/giscus-commenting-system.png)

Giscus is an open source Disqus alternative commenting system based on GitHub Discussions.

If you do not know already, [GitHub Discussions](https://docs.github.com/en/discussions?ref=linuxhandbook.com) is a collaborative communication forum for the community around an open source project.

Consider it an enhancement on the GitHub Issues which are primarily for bug reporting but were frequently (mis)used for discussion on projects.

You can easily self-host it by creating a GitHub app.

💬 [Example of commenting system](https://giscus.app/?ref=linuxhandbook.com) (go to bottom of the page)  
🌐 [Official website](https://giscus.app/?ref=linuxhandbook.com)  
📦 [GitHub repository](https://github.com/giscus/giscus?ref=linuxhandbook.com)  
📄 [Deployment documents](https://github.com/giscus/giscus/blob/main/SELF-HOSTING.md?ref=linuxhandbook.com)

## Discourse

![Discourse commenting system](https://linuxhandbook.com/content/images/2021/08/discourse-comment-system.webp)

Discourse is essentially a forum software and quite a good one. At the same time, Discourse can also be used as a commenting system on websites.

This is a great way to build an exclusive community of readers. Anyone who wants to leave a comment needs to create an account. This may deter casual commenters, but people who really want to participate in the discussion are the valued community members. 

Using Discourse as the commenting system, you get the additional benefit of having a forum at the same cost.

Basically, it creates a new forum topic for every published article. Few comments are displayed on the website and the rest can be viewed on the forum.

Discourse can be easily installed using Docker and you can integrate it on a variety of CMS thanks to JavaScript.

💬 [Example of commenting system](https://blog.discourse.org/2024/10/discourse-a-team-collaboration-tool/?ref=linuxhandbook.com) (go to bottom)  
🌐 [Official website](https://www.discourse.org/?ref=linuxhandbook.com)  
📦 [GitHub repository](https://github.com/discourse/discourse?ref=linuxhandbook.com)  
📄 [Deployment documents](https://meta.discourse.org/t/install-discourse-in-production-with-the-official-supported-instructions/142537?ref=linuxhandbook.com)

🚀

Run your own instance of Discourse effortlessly in the cloud with PikaPods from as less as $6.5 per month! [Start free with $5 welcome credit](https://www.pikapods.com/apps?ref=linuxhandbook.com#forum?ref=linuxhandbook..com) 😎

## Talkyard

![Talkyard comment system](https://linuxhandbook.com/content/images/2021/08/talkyard-comment.webp)

Like Discourse, Talkyard is also a forum software that [doubles up as a commenting system](https://blog-comments.talkyard.io/?ref=linuxhandbook.com). 

It can be easily integrated to Ghost, Hugo, Gatsby, Jekyll or anywhere thanks to a 140 kb JavaScript.

It is open source, so you can self-host or opt for their managed hosting that starts at just 2 euro a month.

💬 [Example of commenting system](https://www.kajmagnus.blog/new-embedded-comments/?ref=linuxhandbook.com)  
🌐 [Official website](https://www.talkyard.io/?ref=linuxhandbook.com)  
📦 [GitHub repository](https://github.com/debiki/talkyard?ref=linuxhandbook.com)  
📄 [Deployment documents](https://github.com/debiki/talkyard-prod-one?ref=linuxhandbook.com)

We do have a [guide on deploying Talkyard with Docker](https://linuxhandbook.com/deploying-talkyard-forum/). Feel free to check it out.

[Deploying Talkyard Forum Under Nginx With DockerDeploying Talkyard forum is a tricky task. Follow this hybrid docker approach to deploy Talkyard on a server with other web-services.![](https://linuxhandbook.com/assets/icon-192x192.png?v=fc6e31db58)Linux HandbookTeam LHB![](https://linuxhandbook.com/content/images/2020/10/deploy-talkyard-docker-1.jpg)](https://linuxhandbook.com/deploying-talkyard-forum/)

## Utterances

![Utterances comment system](https://linuxhandbook.com/content/images/2021/08/utterances-comment-system.webp)

🚧

As of January'25, the last commit on Utterance was three years ago. It seems that development has stalled. Avoid it please.

[Utterances](https://utteranc.es/?ref=linuxhandbook.com) is a lightweight comment system built on GitHub issues.

You probably know that GitHub has a built-in commenting system so that developers and users can discuss a bug.

Utterances utilize this system to create a commenting system for your website. Basically, every new article is opened as a new GitHub issue and visitors and readers leave comment on it using their GitHub account.

Okay, the advantage becomes a drawback here as visitors must have GitHub account to leave a comment. If that's not an issue for you, you may use it.

The documentation is not very clear but here's what you need to do. Create a new public GitHub repository for your website. Install [Utterances app](https://github.com/apps/utterances?ref=linuxhandbook.com) on that repository.

On the Utterances website, choose some additional parameters and then it will give you a small JavaScript that you can add to your website.

## What's your favorite?

All of the options mentioned here lack a feature for the multi-author websites. I don't see the option to send email notifications to the author of the article. Sure, you can send the notifications to the admins and moderators for all comments but you cannot be selective about automatically sending it to the respective authors. 

On Linux Handbook, we have used [Cove commenting system](https://cove.chat/?ref=linuxhandbook.com) because it integrated natively with Ghost membership system. Cove cannot be self-hosted, though.

Later, I moved all my [Ghost](https://ghost.org/?via=abhishek70&ref=linuxhandbook.com) websites to [Hyvor Talk](https://talk.hyvor.com/?aff=36672&ref=linuxhandbook.com). This one is also not self-hosted but provides a good-looking commenting system that is ad-free and privacy-respecting. 

[Hyvor Talk - The Best Commenting Platform For Your WebsiteHyvor Talk is a privacy-focused, fully-customizable, and affordable commenting platform for websites.![](https://talk.hyvor.com/favicon.ico)Hyvor Talk![](https://cdn.hyvor.com/uploads/talk/cover.png)](https://talk.hyvor.com/?aff=36672&ref=linuxhandbook.com)

Apart from that, we have tested several commenting systems on test websites and listed them here. But at the end, it is up to you to decide which is the best for your need.