How to Deploy Metabase on DigitalOcean with Docker, PostgreSQL, NGINX, and SSL

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This step-by-step guide shows you how to install and secure Metabase on a DigitalOcean Droplet using Docker. You’ll connect it to a managed PostgreSQL database, use your own domain, set up HTTPS with Certbot, and learn how to keep Metabase up to date. Perfect for teams that want fast, self-hosted analytics! 📊

🧰 What You Need

  • 🌐 Domain name pointed to your Droplet IP
  • ☁️ DigitalOcean Droplet running Ubuntu 22.04+
  • 🐳 Docker installed on the Droplet
  • 🛢️ Managed PostgreSQL cluster from DigitalOcean

🔧 Step 1: Create Your Managed PostgreSQL Database

Log in to the DigitalOcean Control Panel and go to Databases → Create. Choose PostgreSQL and use these settings:

  • 📍 Host: db-postgresql-sgp1-76543-do-user-2468013-0.b.db.ondigitalocean.com
  • 🔢 Port: 25060
  • 📘 Database Name: metabase_prod
  • 👤 Username: metabase_admin
  • 🔐 Password: S8fKzEw1P@ssw0rd
  • ✅ SSL Mode: Required

🛡️ Don’t forget to whitelist your Droplet’s IP under Trusted Sources.

🐳 Step 2: Install Docker on Ubuntu

sudo apt update
sudo apt install docker.io -y
sudo systemctl enable docker
sudo systemctl start docker

📦 Step 3: Run Metabase Container

docker run -d -p 3000:3000 \
  -e "MB_DB_TYPE=postgres" \
  -e "MB_DB_DBNAME=metabase_prod" \
  -e "MB_DB_PORT=25060" \
  -e "MB_DB_USER=metabase_admin" \
  -e "MB_DB_PASS=S8fKzEw1P@ssw0rd" \
  -e "MB_DB_HOST=db-postgresql-sgp1-76543-do-user-2468013-0.b.db.ondigitalocean.com" \
  -e "MB_DB_SSL=true" \
  --name metabase \
  --restart always \
  metabase/metabase:latest

🌍 Step 4: Connect Your Domain & Install NGINX

Update your domain’s DNS records to point analytics.yourdomain.com to your Droplet’s IP. Then install NGINX:

sudo apt install nginx -y
sudo nano /etc/nginx/sites-available/metabase

Paste the config below (change the domain to yours):

server {
  listen 80;
  server_name analytics.yourdomain.com;

  location / {
    proxy_pass http://localhost:3000;
    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;
  }
}
sudo ln -s /etc/nginx/sites-available/metabase /etc/nginx/sites-enabled/
sudo nginx -t
sudo systemctl reload nginx

🔐 Step 5: Secure Your Site with SSL via Certbot

sudo apt install certbot python3-certbot-nginx -y
sudo certbot --nginx -d analytics.yourdomain.com

🎉 You now have HTTPS with a free Let’s Encrypt certificate!

🧪 Step 6: Visit Your Metabase Dashboard

Go to https://analytics.yourdomain.com in your browser and complete the Metabase setup wizard. You’re ready to explore your data! 📈

🔄 Step 7: Update Metabase When a New Version Is Released

Keep your Metabase container fresh and secure using this method:

docker pull metabase/metabase:latest
docker stop metabase
docker rm metabase

docker run -d -p 3000:3000 \
  -e "MB_DB_TYPE=postgres" \
  -e "MB_DB_DBNAME=metabase_prod" \
  -e "MB_DB_PORT=25060" \
  -e "MB_DB_USER=metabase_admin" \
  -e "MB_DB_PASS=S8fKzEw1P@ssw0rd" \
  -e "MB_DB_HOST=db-postgresql-sgp1-76543-do-user-2468013-0.b.db.ondigitalocean.com" \
  -e "MB_DB_SSL=true" \
  --name metabase \
  --restart always \
  metabase/metabase:latest

✅ Conclusion

You now have a secure, scalable Metabase setup on DigitalOcean! Use this setup to build dashboards, run queries, and give your team the data insights they need. 🧠💡

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