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Discourse Hosting in Germany

WZ-IT runs Discourse as a dedicated instance in data centres in Germany, Switzerland or Austria, with updates, daily backups, 24/7 monitoring and a personal contact. On request, we also install Discourse in your cloud or on premises.

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Cloud Wolke HerausforderungServer NachhaltigkeitIT Beratung Service Consulting SoforthilfeTimo Wevelsiep Robin ZinsExperten für Innovation Migration AWSHetzner Hosting zuverlässig

Companies worldwide trust WZ-IT

  • Stadtwerke Brühl
  • DGHO e.V.
  • solarwerkstatt berlin
  • Krüger Dirndl
  • ABCO Water Systems
  • Golem.de
  • EVADXB
  • nextGYM
  • AInergy
  • ml&s
  • Odiseo Solutions
  • Annota
  • ARGE
  • SweetConnect GmbH
  • Aphy AG
  • CORGOS
  • Rekorder
  • SolidProof
  • Yonju
  • Keymate
  • Paritel
  • Mr. Clipart
  • Millenium
  • Negosh
  • Führerscheinmacher
  • BTI
  • Deutsche Gesellschaft für Datenschutz
Read client reviews

About the technology

What is Discourse?

Discourse is a modern, open-source discussion platform that redefines the traditional forum. With features like real-time discussions, integrated chat, AI support, and a fully responsive user interface, Discourse provides a contemporary community experience.

As an independent service provider, we support you in installing, configuring, and customizing this powerful community platform to your individual requirements and business goals. Leverage the benefits of an engaged community for your company, products, or services.

GitHubWebsiteOfficial Documentation

Discourse Features

  • Endless Conversations

    Instead of paginated posts, Discourse offers continuous scrolling with just-in-time loading for more fluid discussions without interruptions.

  • Integrated Chat

    Create channels for informal conversations between community members and seamlessly transform relevant chat content into structured topics.

  • AI Support

    Harness the power of artificial intelligence to summarize long topics, moderate content, and enhance community interaction.

  • Community Moderation

    Utilize a trust system where members gain additional rights over time and can help with moderation, including spam blocking and conflict resolution.

  • Mobile Optimization

    Discourse was designed for high-resolution touch devices, with a built-in mobile layout and native apps for iOS and Android.

  • Single Sign-On & Social Login

    Integrate Discourse seamlessly with your existing login system or leverage social logins like Google, Facebook, Twitter, and GitHub.

  • Email Integration

    Respond to notifications directly via email from any device without visiting the website, and utilize full mailing list support.

  • Extensible Functionality

    Expand your community's capabilities with official plugins for chat integration, topic voting, Google Adsense, and much more.

  • Comprehensive API

    Everything visible on screen can also be controlled via API calls, with full support for custom integrations and automations.

Infrastructure, integration and operations

Discourse as part of your infrastructure

We do more than provide an application. WZ-IT designs the technical architecture, integrates network and identity, operates the agreed scope and develops integrations when the standard product is not enough.

Architecture and migration

Sizing, target environment, data transfer, cutover and recovery are resolved before production operations.

  • On-Premise

    In your data center: Installation on bare-metal, VM or Docker · Integration with existing Active Directory/LDAP

  • Installation in your cloud

    In your own cloud account, for example with AWS, Azure, GCP or Hetzner · Terraform/IaC setup (optional) · Kubernetes or Docker Compose · Capacity and scaling design

  • Enterprise Setup

    Advanced architecture after technical and licence assessment: HA and recovery design where supported by the application and edition · Logging according to feature set and edition · Custom security policies

Network and identity

SSO, secure access, internal systems and existing security components are integrated appropriately.

  • VPN Access

    WireGuard, NetBird, Tailscale, Headscale, OpenVPN, Cloudflare Tunnel · Easy client setup for all devices

  • SSO Integration

    Directly or through an upstream identity layer

  • Multi-Factor Auth

    Depends on application, edition and identity provider

  • Firewall & Hardening

    Fail2Ban, Rate Limiting, IP Whitelisting

Monitoring and service level

Updates, backups, technical monitoring and response paths follow a transparent operational scope.

  • 24/7 proactive monitoring

  • Updates and patches

    Regular updates, CVE monitoring and prioritised patches for critical vulnerabilities

  • Daily backup with 7-day retention

  • Personal technical contact

Integration and development

APIs, automation and custom extensions can be delivered beyond basic deployment.

  • DiscourseConnect (SSO)

    Nobody wants a second account. We implement DiscourseConnect so your main application (WordPress, App, Shop) acts as the Identity Provider. Login in the app = Login in the forum.

  • Webhooks & Automation

    We reward engagement. A user posts 10 solutions? A webhook informs your CRM or app to award gamification badges or unlock premium support.

  • Plugins & Theme Components

    We don't change the core. We write plugins (Ruby) for backend logic and theme components (JS/Handlebars) for UI adjustments. 100% update-safe.

Full-service installation with no hidden costs

What the Discourse setup includes

  • Complete installation & configuration
  • SSL certificate & reverse proxy setup
  • Backup strategy & disaster recovery
  • Performance optimization & tuning
  • Security hardening following OWASP
  • Monitoring & logging setup
  • Documentation & best practices
  • Administrator training (remote)
  • 30 days email support included
  • Dedicated contact person
  • Optional integration: LDAP/AD, SSO, MFA
  • Update strategy & patch management setup

The exact scope depends on the application, edition, infrastructure and criticality. Vendor licences and non-standard components are quoted separately.

Concrete Use Cases

Discourse Development & Integration

Discourse is a modern Rails app. This makes it extremely customizable. We integrate the forum so deeply into your product that users don't notice they are switching platforms.

Embedded Comments

Problem

Blog comments are often spam magnets and isolated from the forum.

Solution

We replace the comment section on your website/blog with Discourse topics via JavaScript embed. Discussions take place centrally in the forum.

Paywall & Membership Sync

Problem

Certain areas in the forum should only be accessible to paying members (Patreon, Stripe, Steady).

Solution

Synchronization of group memberships. When a subscription ends, an API script automatically revokes access to VIP categories in the forum.

Legacy Migration (phpBB/vBulletin)

Problem

Important history lies in a 15-year-old forum that is no longer secure.

Solution

Development of import scripts that rescue users, posts, passwords (hashes), and permalinks and cleanly transfer them to Discourse.

Managed Hosting & Operations

How much does Discourse hosting cost?

Compute, applications, storage and response are shown separately. You can see what ongoing operations include and which requirements need a technical assessment.

Starter workload from€99.90/ month · cancel monthly

Discourse hosting in Germany: GDPR-compliant operations

  • One managed standard application included
  • .de domain included or your own domain or subdomain via CNAME
  • Choice of location: Germany (ISO 27001, BSI C5), Switzerland (ISO 27001) or Austria (ISO 27001)
  • Confidentiality agreement under Section 203 German Criminal Code (StGB) available on request (location Germany)
  • 99.9 % standard availability per month
  • Regular updates, CVE monitoring and prioritised patches for critical vulnerabilities
  • Central logs with immutable retention
  • Daily backup with 7-day retention
  • 5 TB outbound traffic per workload and month
  • 24/7 proactive monitoring
  • Five service levels, 24/7 P1 response with Production or Critical
  • Personal technical contact

Instance sizes and monthly prices

XS · 2 vCPU, 2 GB RAM, 40 GB NVMe SSD
€99.90 in total
S · 2 vCPU, 4 GB RAM, 80 GB NVMe SSD
€129.90 in total
M · 4 vCPU, 8 GB RAM, 80 GB NVMe SSD
€159.80 in total
L · 8 vCPU, 16 GB RAM, 80 GB NVMe SSD
€219.80 in total
XL · 16 vCPU, 32 GB RAM, 80 GB NVMe SSD
€329.80 in total
Additional storage per 50 GB
+€4.99
Configure now

Straightforward provisioning within a few business days

Payment
  • SEPA direct debit
  • Visa
  • Mastercard
  • American Express
  • Apple Pay
  • Google Pay
  • PayPal
  • Bank transfer

All prices are net and exclude statutory VAT. The offers are addressed to businesses. All on-premises options

Other options

Try it free for 7 days

Request a test instance

We set up a test instance for you, usually on the next business day. No payment details required. After seven days it is deleted unless you continue.

Request a test instance →Bring Your Own Infrastructure

Installation on Your Infrastructure

Installation on your own infrastructure · On-premise or in your cloud · Control over data location and access · Custom configuration · Complete documentation · Initial setup & configuration · Optional support and maintenance contract

Price on request, plus optional support & maintenanceRequest a proposal →On-premises option

Run Discourse on hardware at your organisation

As an alternative to managed hosting in the data centre, WZ-IT provides the hardware, configures Discourse, and handles hardening, monitoring, updates, backup and technical support. Access can be limited to the internal network or enabled through VPN and existing identities.

from €349 excl. VAT / month · plus one-time provisioning and initial setupView WZ-IT App Node →

Target architecture

Integrate Discourse into your infrastructure with clear controls

Collaboration platforms connect communication, files, identities and integrations. We treat them as a complete system rather than a single container.

Teams, guests and endpoints

Browser, desktop and mobile clients access shared workspaces through agreed roles.

Secure access

TLS, firewall rules, reverse proxies or private network paths are designed around the platform's exposure.

Identity and permissions

Local accounts, SSO, directories, service accounts and emergency access are connected through clear roles.

Discourse platform

Workspaces, communication, sharing and roles are configured and operated in a controlled way.

Database and files

Messages, content, uploads, search, retention and backups.

Realtime and media services

Notifications, calls, TURN or further services depending on the feature set.

Directories and integrations

SSO, provisioning, bots, webhooks and connected business systems.

The diagram is a resilient target model. Its implementation depends on edition, data flows, load, availability objectives and existing infrastructure.

Role in the overall system

Related services for Discourse

This page covers installation and the agreed platform operations for Discourse. Custom code, the access layer and special confidentiality requirements remain clearly separated responsibilities that can be added when needed.

Maintain the application

Support custom code and integrations

Keep custom extensions, interfaces and dependencies controlled, updated and supportable.

View service Secure access

Connect users, sites and systems

Add identity-based access and private network paths as a separate operational layer.

View service Operate confidentially

Assess Section 203 requirements separately

For professional secrecy holders, define contractual, access and infrastructure requirements in a dedicated operating model.

View service

Three relevant adjacent paths instead of a long list of further products.

View the overall system

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the most important questions

Knowledge

More about Discourse

Matching solutions for your project

Reviews & projects

Client feedback and projects worldwide

Networking & Provisioning

WZ-IT moved our studio infrastructure from decentralised individual devices to a central platform: every site is securely connected via VPN, new devices are onboarded automatically and an entire site is provisioned from a template, without manual steps on location. What impressed me most is the breadth and depth of their knowledge: Timo and Robin are not a typical IT provider who sets up a server and leaves. The two of them think their way into highly complex infrastructure and software topics, work through every requirement we put in front of them, and build networking, provisioning and operations so that everything fits together in the end. WZ-IT is an excellent partner for complex software, network and architecture projects.
Steve KirchnerManaging Director, nextGYM GmbH
View project

International

Built in Germany's Ruhr Valley. Running worldwide.

WZ-IT designs, develops and operates infrastructure and software for clients in Germany and internationally. We deliver projects remotely and continue supporting them in ongoing operations after go-live.

Selected projects

Read client reviews

  • stadtwerke-bruehl.deSecure your Proxmox & backup setup
  • richtung-sonne.deSee knowledge transfer
  • krueger-dirndl.deSee the AI platform
  • dgho.deModernize your infrastructure - sovereign
  • golem.dePlan a sovereign open-source stack
  • mlands.comIntegrate a local AI solution
  • arge.deModernize your legacy software
  • evadxb.comCut cloud cost - up to −81%
  • aphy.comBuild a high-availability Proxmox cluster
  • ainergy.deVirtualize with Managed Proxmox
  • annota.deDesign an open-source AI architecture
  • yonju.deGet collaboration fully managed
  • odiseo.netShip your prototype to production
  • sweetconnect.deConnect sites and clusters securely

Managed Hosting & Operations

Enquire about hosting and operations for Discourse

Briefly describe the current state and objective for Discourse. We assess infrastructure, integration, and ongoing operations.

  • Straight with Timo and Robin - no sales team, no pitch
  • A professional assessment of your situation
  • Concrete next steps for infrastructure, software or AI

The conversation is free and non-binding.

WZ-IT's advice on our Azure migration was technically sound and completely non-binding right from the intro call - we took away a great deal.
Jakob ÖschlbergerInno7 GmbH
Email[email protected]Phone+49 2922 875068
Timo and Robin, founders of WZ-IT

Which Discourse service do you need?

Choose the appropriate starting point or simply describe the situation.

We usually respond within one business day. Please do not submit credentials.

WZ-IT's advice on our Azure migration was technically sound and completely non-binding right from the intro call - we took away a great deal.
Jakob ÖschlbergerInno7 GmbH