# Can I use a shared host for a personal Chatmail relay? Or a VPS? **URL:** \ **Category:** Chatmail Relays\ **Tags:** server-config\ **Created:** [April 29, 2026, 7:21am UTC](https://support.delta.chat/t/can-i-use-a-shared-host-for-a-personal-chatmail-relay-or-a-vps/5124 "2026-04-29T07:21:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![u5w0e2l56](https://support.delta.chat/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/u/76d3ee/32.png) [@u5w0e2l56](https://support.delta.chat/u/u5w0e2l56)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2026, 7:21am UTC](https://support.delta.chat/t/can-i-use-a-shared-host-for-a-personal-chatmail-relay-or-a-vps/5124/1 "2026-04-29T07:21:33Z")
Hello, I’m completely new to Chatmail and I’m considering hosting my own relay. Checked the [documentation](https://chatmail.at/doc/relay/getting_started.html) for setting it up, but wanted to double-check with the community: - It says root user access to the deployment server is required - meaning that shared hosts are not an option? - but that also means I can technically can use a Virtual Private Server? Or would that not fulfill some other requirement? Thanks for any helpful pointers! ---
**Author:** ![ian](https://support.delta.chat/user_avatar/support.delta.chat/ian/32/3164_2.png) [@ian](https://support.delta.chat/u/ian)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2026, 8:15am UTC](https://support.delta.chat/t/can-i-use-a-shared-host-for-a-personal-chatmail-relay-or-a-vps/5124/2 "2026-04-29T08:15:45Z")
- You need root access to bind to ports below 1024 to install any such software. You are also free to use [classic email accounts](https://delta.chat/en/help#can-i-use-a-classic-email-address-with-delta-chat) if that is what your managed shared hosting provider gives you. - A VPS would be fine. (Note that unlike a VPS, cloud instances may not always be usable as many data centers block port 25. Please confirm before you make a commitment with the provider such as by contacting support or asking for a 3-day trial period to test it)