How to Install GlitchTip (Sentry Alternative) on Rocky Linux 9

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

GlitchTip is an open-source error tracking, performance monitoring, and observability platform built as a lightweight alternative to Sentry. It offers comprehensive monitoring for frontend and backend applications, providing crash analytics, event grouping, performance tracking, and alerting — all under your full control. GlitchTip is compatible with Sentry SDKs, allowing effortless migration from Sentry Cloud or on-premise setups.

Running GlitchTip on Rocky Linux 9, a RHEL-compatible enterprise-grade operating system, provides stability, long-term support, and security for production environments. With SELinux enforcement, systemd 252, OpenSSL 3, and modern Docker Compose support, Rocky Linux 9 is ideal for deploying GlitchTip using PostgreSQL, Redis, Nginx, and SSL encryption.

Architecture Overview

Layer	Component	Role
OS	Rocky Linux 9	Enterprise-grade, RHEL-compatible base
Container Runtime	Docker Engine + Compose	Orchestrates GlitchTip and its dependencies
Application	GlitchTip (Django)	Web dashboard and backend for event tracking
Database	PostgreSQL 15	Stores events, users, organizations, and configuration data
Cache/Queue	Redis	Handles asynchronous tasks and background jobs
Reverse Proxy	Nginx	Terminates HTTPS, routes traffic, and adds compression
TLS	Let’s Encrypt / PKI	Provides HTTPS for web interface and API

Why Use GlitchTip?

Open-source alternative to Sentry – identical client SDK support and similar feature set.
Self-hosted observability – retain full control over logs and performance data.
Privacy and compliance – host within your infrastructure (GDPR/HIPAA ready).
Lightweight and efficient – minimal resource usage with Docker Compose.
Team collaboration – role-based access and multi-project support.
Performance monitoring – identify bottlenecks and latency issues easily.
Alerting via email or integrations – stay informed on real-time issues.

GlitchTip vs Other Error Monitoring Tools

Feature/Capability	GlitchTip (Self-hosted)	Sentry (Cloud/Self-hosted)	LogRocket	Elastic APM
Hosting	Self-hosted / Cloud	Cloud / Self-hosted	Cloud only	Self-hosted / Cloud
Database	PostgreSQL	PostgreSQL	Proprietary	Elasticsearch
SDK compatibility	Sentry SDKs supported	Native	No	Partial
Source availability	100% open-source	Partially open-source	No	Yes
Cost	Free	Subscription / Tiered	Subscription	License-based
Ideal for	Developers / SMBs	Enterprises	Frontend apps	Large infrastructures

GlitchTip gives teams Sentry-level monitoring power without vendor dependence, making it the best option for developers and DevOps teams who value data privacy, transparency, and control.

Security & Best Practices

Run GlitchTip behind Nginx or Traefik with HTTPS.
Store environment variables and credentials in .env files or Docker secrets.
Limit PostgreSQL and Redis to the internal Docker network.
Enable SELinux enforcement and open only required ports (80, 443).
Keep Docker images and Rocky Linux packages up to date.
Configure SMTP for alert notifications.
Automate SSL renewals with Certbot or Traefik ACME.
Schedule PostgreSQL backups with rotation policies.
Implement fail2ban for brute-force protection on login endpoints.

Typical Use Cases

Error monitoring for web and backend applications.
Performance analysis for slow queries or high-latency requests.
Release tracking – link errors to specific software versions.
Frontend monitoring using Sentry SDKs for JS and React apps.
Internal observability for microservices or private APIs.
Self-hosted Sentry alternative for teams under compliance restrictions.

Deploying GlitchTip on Rocky Linux 9 with Docker Compose and Nginx delivers a secure, scalable, and fully open-source monitoring platform — ideal for organizations that need Sentry-grade error tracking, performance insights, and privacy without cloud dependence.

Step 1: Set Up a Server Instance

To begin, you’ll need a reliable server to host GlitchTip. The easiest way to set up your environment is with a Shape.Host Cloud VPS, which provides powerful cloud infrastructure with full root access.

From the dashboard, click “Create”, then select “Instance.”

Choose a data center location closest to your users for optimal performance.

Select a plan that includes at least 2 CPUs, 4 GB RAM, and 20 GB SSD storage.

Under Operating System, choose Rocky Linux 9 (64-bit).

Confirm your configuration and click “Create Instance.”

Wait a few moments until your instance is ready. You’ll find the public IP address listed under the “Resources” section in your dashboard.

Once the instance is active, you’re ready to connect and begin the installation.

Step 2: Connect to Your Instance

Use SSH to access your new Rocky Linux 9 server.

For Linux/macOS:

ssh root@your_server_ip

Replace your_server_ip with the actual IP address of your instance.

For Windows:

Download and open PuTTY.
Enter your server’s IP address.
Log in as root and provide your password when prompted.

Once connected, you’ll have full control of the terminal to proceed with the installation.

Step 3: Installation Steps

Below are the exact commands (and configurations) to install GlitchTip on Rocky Linux 9. Follow each step carefully.

Update System Packages

dnf update

This updates your package lists and ensures you have the latest security patches.

Install Required Dependencies

dnf install curl ca-certificates gnupg2 yum-utils

These utilities are required to manage repositories and secure communication with remote servers.

Add the Docker Repository

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

This command adds Docker’s official repository to your system so you can install the latest version.

Install Docker and Docker Compose Plugin

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

This installs Docker Engine and Docker Compose, which will be used to run GlitchTip containers.

Enable and Start Docker

systemctl enable --now docker

This ensures Docker starts automatically on boot and is running now.

Verify Docker Installation

docker --version

docker compose version

These commands confirm that Docker and Docker Compose are installed correctly.

Create the GlitchTip Directory

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

This creates a dedicated folder for GlitchTip’s configuration files and navigates into it.

Create the Docker Compose 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

Save and close the file (CTRL+O, ENTER, CTRL+X).

Start GlitchTip Containers

docker compose up -d

This command downloads the required Docker images and starts all containers in detached mode.

Check Running Containers

docker ps

It lists all active containers, confirming that GlitchTip, PostgreSQL, and Redis are running.

Initialize the Database and Create Admin User

docker compose exec glitchtip python3 manage.py migrate

Runs database migrations for GlitchTip.

docker compose exec glitchtip python3 manage.py createsuperuser

Creates an administrator account for the GlitchTip web interface.

Step 4: Configure Nginx as a Reverse Proxy

Install Nginx

dnf install nginx

This installs Nginx, which will be used as a reverse proxy for GlitchTip.

Enable and Start Nginx

systemctl enable --now nginx

Create Nginx Configuration File

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

Paste the following 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;
    }
}

Test and Reload Nginx

nginx -t

Checks for syntax errors.

systemctl reload nginx

Applies the configuration.

Step 5: Secure Your Domain with SSL

Install Certbot

dnf install certbot python3-certbot-nginx

Obtain and Install SSL Certificate

certbot --nginx -d rockylinux-tutorials.shape.host --email contact@shape.host --agree-tos --non-interactive https://glitchtip.example.com

This automatically issues and installs a free SSL certificate from Let’s Encrypt for your domain.

Step 6: Verify Installation

To confirm everything is working:

Open your browser and visit:
http://glitchtip.example.com or https://glitchtip.example.com
Log in with the administrator credentials you created earlier.
You should see the GlitchTip dashboard, ready for use.

You’ve successfully installed GlitchTip on Rocky Linux 9 using Docker Compose, PostgreSQL, Redis, and Nginx. This setup provides a robust and scalable self-hosted monitoring solution for your applications.

For reliable performance, security, and scalability, consider deploying your next GlitchTip instance on Shape.Host Cloud VPS — offering fast SSD storage, flexible resources, and 24/7 support for all your Linux hosting needs.

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