SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
It runs on the PC you already have.
PlantStacks is deliberately light: one ordinary machine hosts it for the whole building. No database server to license, no container platform, no cloud account — and no internet connection required, ever.
| Minimum | Recommended | |
|---|---|---|
| Host OS | Windows 10 / Server 2016+, or Linux with systemd (Ubuntu 20.04+, Debian 11+, RHEL 8+) | Windows 11 / Server 2022, Ubuntu 22.04 LTS |
| CPU | 2 cores (x64) | 4 cores |
| Memory | 2 GB free | 4–8 GB |
| Disk | 2 GB free (SSD strongly preferred) | 20 GB SSD — years of records + nightly backups |
| Runtime | None — the Windows build is a self-contained executable | Linux source bundle needs Node.js ≥ 18 |
| Database | Built-in (zero-config file store) | Optional PostgreSQL backend for very large datasets |
| Network | One free TCP port (default 8443) on the LAN | A fixed hostname/IP so bookmarks don't break |
| Internet | Not required — install, activation and daily use are fully offline | Optional: online update check & webhooks are opt-in |
Client devices
Anything with a modern browser on the same network: Windows/Mac/Linux PCs, tablets, shop-floor touch terminals. Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari (current or previous major version). No app to install, nothing to maintain per device.
Multi-plant
One install per plant, same requirements each. Only the hub plant needs an address the others can reach (a LAN hostname, VPN address, or DNS name). Spokes connect outbound only — no inbound ports, no certificates to manage, no VPN mesh.
Sizing guide: a 50-person shop with five years of movement history fits comfortably in the recommended spec. The optional PostgreSQL backend and horizontal guidance live in the docs hub.
That old office PC will do fine.
Download it, run it, and see for yourself — 30 days free, offline, no card.
Download PlantStacks