Add open-source SaaS alternatives to future projects (10 self-hosted replacements)

2026-08-13 06:12:11 -04:00
parent dd13c706d0
commit 92d8f4eb6b
2 changed files with 51 additions and 0 deletions
@@ -8,3 +8,4 @@ Master index of all internal and client projects.
 - **[OSINT People Search](./osint-tool/README.md)**: An Open Source Intelligence tool for performing background checks, compiling data broker reports, and removing personal information. (IN DEVELOPMENT)
 - **[Apex Track Experience](./apex-track/README.md)**: Website and operations platform for track day experiences, vehicle registrations, and event logistics. (PLANNED)
 - **[BoxPilot Logistics](./boxpilot/README.md)**: Logistics and shipping management platform. (PLANNED)
+- **[Open-Source SaaS Alternatives](../projects/oss-saas-alternatives.md)**: 10 self-hostable replacements for paid SaaS (AppFlowy, Immich, Documenso, Excalidraw, Penpot, Cal.DIY, ListMonk, Dub, RustDesk, FluidVoice). Future productize/host candidates. (FUTURE PROJECTS)
@@ -0,0 +1,50 @@
+# Open-Source SaaS Alternatives — Future Project Candidates
+
+**Status:** Future Projects — Research & Planning
+**Saved:** 2026-08-12
+**Category:** Productize / Self-Host / MSP Offering
+**Owner:** IT Pro Partner (Sho'Nuff)
+**Source:** "10 GitHub Repos That Will Kill Your Monthly Subscriptions" — Andrew Warner, The Next New Thing (Aug 11 2026) — https://youtu.be/jMAe1h39rHo
+
+---
+
+## Thesis
+
+Ten open-source, self-hostable replacements for paid SaaS tools. Warner's closing pitch is the operative idea: *"take the source code, throw it at Codex or Claude, and build your own version around your needs."* For IT Pro Partner the higher-value angle is the inverse of "self-host it yourself" — **wrap each in a managed/hosted offering and sell it at premium pricing** (obstacles-as-products pattern, same as Ops Portal / Super Search / backup-restore).
+
+## The Ten Candidates
+
+| # | OSS Tool | Replaces | Repo | ITPP Angle |
+|---|---|---|---|---|
+| 1 | AppFlowy | Notion | github.com/AppFlowy-IO/AppFlowy | Flutter+Rust, block editor, kanban, AI. Hosted-plan vendor exists — white-label opportunity |
+| 2 | Immich | Google Photos | github.com/immich-app/immich | 110k stars, on-device face rec. Managed photo vault for clients (respect 3-2-1 backup) |
+| 3 | **Documenso** | DocuSign | github.com/documenso/documenso | **Self-hosted e-sign + audit trail.** Fits proposal/contract pipeline (VerdictTank/RFP Tank sign-off) |
+| 4 | Excalidraw | Miro | github.com/excalidraw/excalidraw | MIT, instant no-signup whiteboard. Already used internally — resell not obvious |
+| 5 | Penpot | Figma | github.com/penpot/penpot | Web-standards design tool. Niche, dev-facing |
+| 6 | Cal.DIY | Calendly | github.com/calcom/cal.diy | Self-hosted scheduling. MSP client booking, white-label |
+| 7 | ListMonk | Mailchimp | github.com/knadh/listmonk | No per-subscriber pricing. Email/outreach stack (Savannah, TIMA PTA, prospect funnels) |
+| 8 | Dub | Bitly | github.com/dubinc/dub | Link mgmt + conversion tracking + affiliate. Marketing funnel tooling |
+| 9 | **RustDesk** | TeamViewer | github.com/rustdesk/rustdesk | **Self-hosted remote desktop.** MSP core tool — managed relay on netcup kills per-seat TeamViewer/Splashtop fees |
+| 10 | FluidVoice | Whisper Flow | github.com/altic-dev/FluidVoice | Local STT, audio never leaves the box. Windows build landing. Voice-agent adjacent |
+
+## Priority Candidates (build/test first)
+
+1. **RustDesk** — the highest-leverage MSP play. A self-hosted relay + managed client rollout replaces a per-seat cost line on every support contract. Test: relay on netcup, tunnel via WireGuard/Tailscale, verify NAT traversal.
+2. **Documenso** — self-hosted e-signature with audit trail on our infra. Direct fit for proposal and contract sign-off in the VerdictTank/RFP Tank pipeline. DocuSign's $132/yr-for-5-envelopes pricing is the pain point to sell against.
+3. **ListMonk + Dub** — cheap wins for the marketing/outreach funnel. Self-hosted newsletter + link tracking kills two subscriptions and feeds lead attribution.
+
+## Productize Angle
+
+Each of these is a candidate to package as "Hosted X for MSPs/clients" — managed deployment, backups (already in the Core 6 + Wasabi pipeline), updates, and support, at premium recurring pricing. The moat is not the software (it's free), it's the operation: the same infra + backup + reliability discipline we already run. Do not leave clients to self-host.
+
+## Open Questions
+
+1. RustDesk relay: netcup vs. app2 (Hetzner) placement, and whether a public relay or Tailscale-only mesh is the right default.
+2. Documenso: does it meet legal e-signature requirements for client contracts (audit trail integrity, signer identity)?
+3. ListMonk deliverability: self-hosted IP reputation vs. routing through an SMTP relay (MXroute).
+
+## Source
+
+- Video: https://youtu.be/jMAe1h39rHo (Andrew Warner, The Next New Thing)
+- Resource links: https://thenextnewthing.ai/l/github-repos-aug14
+- Retrieved: 2026-08-12