How to Install GlitchTip (Sentry Alternative) on AlmaLinux 9

GlitchTip (Sentry Alternative) on AlmaLinux 9 (Docker Compose + Nginx + SSL)

GlitchTip is a modern, open-source error tracking and performance monitoring platform designed as a lightweight, privacy-focused alternative to Sentry. It helps developers detect and analyze application errors, monitor performance, and track releases — all with full control over infrastructure and data. GlitchTip supports Sentry SDKs, making it a seamless replacement for existing Sentry integrations.

Running GlitchTip on AlmaLinux 9, a RHEL-compatible enterprise operating system, ensures stability, reliability, and long-term security for production environments. With SELinux enforcement, systemd 252, OpenSSL 3, and the latest Docker packages, AlmaLinux 9 is an excellent foundation for deploying GlitchTip using Docker Compose, PostgreSQL, Redis, and Nginx with SSL.

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Architecture Overview

Layer	Component	Role
OS	AlmaLinux 9	Enterprise-grade, RHEL-compatible operating system
Container Runtime	Docker Engine + Compose	Orchestrates GlitchTip services and dependencies
Application	GlitchTip (Django)	Web interface and backend for error tracking and analytics
Database	PostgreSQL 15	Stores projects, user data, and event logs
Cache/Queue	Redis	Handles background jobs, async events, and caching
Reverse Proxy	Nginx	Terminates HTTPS, routes requests, and handles compression
TLS	Let’s Encrypt / PKI	Provides SSL encryption for web interface and API

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Why Use GlitchTip?

• Open-source Sentry replacement – no licensing fees or data restrictions.
• Sentry SDK compatible – easily switch without code changes.
• Privacy-focused – all data stays within your infrastructure.
• Performance metrics – monitor response times and bottlenecks.
• Team management – multi-user roles, project grouping, and reporting.
• Email notifications – alert teams of critical exceptions automatically.
• Efficient and scalable – runs smoothly on modest resources.

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GlitchTip vs Other Error Tracking Tools

Feature/Capability	GlitchTip (Self-hosted)	Sentry (Cloud/Self-hosted)	LogRocket	Elastic APM
Hosting	Self-hosted / Cloud	Cloud or on-prem	Cloud only	Self-hosted / Cloud
Database	PostgreSQL	PostgreSQL	Proprietary	Elasticsearch
Source available	100% open-source	Partially open-source	No	Yes
SDK compatibility	Sentry SDKs supported	Native	No	Partial
Cost	Free, open-source	Paid tiers	Subscription	License-based
Ideal for	DevOps teams / SMBs	Enterprises	Frontend apps	Large setups

GlitchTip offers Sentry-level monitoring with complete transparency, making it ideal for teams who value open-source freedom, simplicity, and data ownership.

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Security & Best Practices

• Deploy behind Nginx or Traefik with HTTPS enabled.
• Use Docker secrets or .env files to store credentials securely.
• Limit PostgreSQL and Redis access to internal Docker networks.
• Enable SELinux enforcement and configure ports via semanage.
• Keep Docker images, AlmaLinux, and GlitchTip updated regularly.
• Restrict access with firewalld, allowing only ports 80 and 443.
• Automate SSL renewals with Certbot or Traefik’s ACME integration.
• Schedule PostgreSQL backups for database recovery and retention.
• Enable fail2ban or similar tools for login brute-force protection.

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Typical Use Cases

• Error monitoring for web, mobile, and backend systems.
• Frontend crash tracking using Sentry-compatible SDKs.
• Performance monitoring for API latency and server response time.
• Release tracking with deployment visibility.
• Self-hosted observability for GDPR- or HIPAA-compliant environments.
• Alternative to Sentry Cloud for teams requiring privacy and independence.

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Deploying GlitchTip on AlmaLinux 9 with Docker Compose provides a robust, secure, and fully self-hosted monitoring platform that rivals Sentry in functionality — ideal for developers, startups, and enterprises seeking open-source control and reliability.

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Step 1: Create a Shape.Host Cloud VPS Instance

Go to Shape.Host and log in.

Click Create → Instance.

Choose your preferred location.

Select a plan with at least 2 CPUs, 4 GB RAM, and 20 GB SSD.

Choose AlmaLinux 9 (64-bit) as your operating system.

Click Create Instance.

Copy the server IP address from the Resources section.

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Step 2: Connect to Your Server

Connect via SSH:

ssh root@your_server_ip

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Step 3: Update the System

It’s important to update all packages to ensure stability and compatibility.

dnf update -y

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Step 4: Install Docker and Dependencies

Install required packages for repository management and HTTPS communication:

dnf install curl ca-certificates gnupg2 yum-utils -y

Add Docker’s official repository for CentOS/AlmaLinux:

dnf config-manager --add-repo https://download.docker.com/linux/centos/docker-ce.repo

Install Docker Engine, the CLI tools, and Docker Compose plugin:

dnf install docker-ce docker-ce-cli containerd.io docker-compose-plugin -y

Enable and start the Docker service:

systemctl enable --now docker

Check Docker and Docker Compose versions to confirm installation:

docker --version
docker compose version

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Step 5: Prepare the GlitchTip Directory

Create and navigate to the GlitchTip installation directory:

mkdir -p /opt/glitchtip
cd /opt/glitchtip

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Step 6: Create the Docker Compose Configuration

Create the Docker Compose configuration file:

nano docker-compose.yml

Paste the following configuration:

services:
  postgres:
    image: postgres:15
    container_name: glitchtip_postgres
    restart: always
    environment:
      POSTGRES_DB: glitchtip
      POSTGRES_USER: glitchtip
      POSTGRES_PASSWORD: strongpassword
    volumes:
      - ./postgres-data:/var/lib/postgresql/data

  redis:
    image: redis:7
    container_name: glitchtip_redis
    restart: always

  glitchtip:
    image: glitchtip/glitchtip:latest
    container_name: glitchtip_app
    depends_on:
      - postgres
      - redis
    environment:
      DATABASE_URL: postgres://glitchtip:strongpassword@postgres:5432/glitchtip
      SECRET_KEY: changethiskeytoarandomstring
      EMAIL_URL: smtp://smtp.example.com:587
      DEFAULT_FROM_EMAIL: noreply@example.com
      CELERY_BROKER_URL: redis://redis:6379/0
      ENABLE_SIGNUPS: "True"
      GLITCHTIP_DOMAIN: https://glitchtip.example.com
    ports:
      - "8000:8080"
    volumes:
      - ./uploads:/app/uploads
    restart: always

⚙️ Important Notes:

• Replace strongpassword with a strong PostgreSQL password.
• Replace changethiskeytoarandomstring with a secure 32-character random string (openssl rand -hex 32).
• Replace smtp.example.com with your actual mail server.
• Change glitchtip.example.com to your real domain name.

Save and exit with CTRL + O, ENTER, CTRL + X.

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Step 7: Launch GlitchTip Containers

Download the required images and start all containers:

docker compose up -d

Check if everything is running:

docker ps

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Step 8: Initialize the Database

Run the database migrations:

docker compose exec glitchtip python3 manage.py migrate

Create a superuser account to log in to GlitchTip:

docker compose exec glitchtip python3 manage.py createsuperuser

Enter your email, username, and password when prompted.

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Step 9: Install and Configure Nginx

Install Nginx to serve GlitchTip behind a reverse proxy:

dnf install nginx -y

Enable and start Nginx:

systemctl enable --now nginx

Create a new Nginx configuration file:

nano /etc/nginx/conf.d/glitchtip.conf

Paste this configuration:

server {
    listen 80;
    server_name glitchtip.example.com;

    location / {
        proxy_pass http://127.0.0.1:8000;
        proxy_http_version 1.1;
        proxy_set_header Host $host;
        proxy_set_header X-Real-IP $remote_addr;
        proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-For $proxy_add_x_forwarded_for;
        proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-Proto $scheme;
        proxy_buffering off;
    }
}

Check the syntax and reload Nginx:

nginx -t
systemctl reload nginx

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Step 10: Secure GlitchTip with SSL

Install Certbot and its Nginx plugin:

dnf install certbot python3-certbot-nginx -y

Obtain and apply a free SSL certificate from Let’s Encrypt:

certbot --nginx -d almalinux-tutorials.shape.host --email contact@shape.host --agree-tos --non-interactive

Reload Nginx to apply HTTPS:

systemctl reload nginx

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Step 11: Restart Containers

Restart the GlitchTip containers to ensure all services load with the latest environment settings:

docker compose restart

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Step 12: Access GlitchTip

Open your browser and visit:

https://glitchtip.example.com

Log in with the superuser credentials you created earlier.
You’ll now have access to your self-hosted Sentry-compatible error tracking system.

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Step 13: (Optional) Enable Firewall Rules

Allow essential services through the firewall:

firewall-cmd --permanent --add-service=http
firewall-cmd --permanent --add-service=https
firewall-cmd --reload

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You installed GlitchTip (Sentry Alternative) on AlmaLinux 9 using Docker Compose, Nginx, and Let’s Encrypt SSL.

You now have a robust, self-hosted monitoring platform with complete data control — ideal for development teams or enterprises that prioritize privacy, security, and flexibility.

Deploy GlitchTip confidently on a Shape.Host Linux SSD VPS, built for performance, reliability, and full root access.