I manage over 25 Discord communities and want to create custom bots using Python. The coding part is straightforward, but I’m struggling with the hosting strategy since all bots need constant uptime.
I’ve considered three options:
Cloud hosting - Expensive for 24/7 operation across multiple bots, plus there are so many providers it’s hard to choose
Raspberry Pi setup - Maybe 2-3 units to distribute the load and prevent overheating issues
Custom PC build - Using gaming hardware to create a dedicated server setup
Has anyone dealt with similar multi-bot hosting challenges? What would you recommend for this scale of operation?
Running that many bots at once can be challenging. I initially chose cloud hosting, but found a hybrid setup more effective after some experience. A mid-range dedicated server from the likes of Hetzner or OVH is cost-effective and offers better specifications than Raspberry Pi clusters. Utilizing Docker containers for each bot simplifies resource management; you can restart one bot without affecting others. It’s important to implement proper monitoring and auto-restart functionalities, as Discord’s API can occasionally disconnect bots. Additionally, distributing your bots across different application tokens is crucial to avoid rate limits. Notably, many Discord bots are inactive most of the time, allowing you to host 25+ lightweight Python bots on modest hardware if optimized correctly.
raspberry pi clusters look cool but you’ll run into RAM issues fast with python bots. I’d build a custom pc instead - pick up used enterprise gear like a dell r720 on ebay for way less than cloud pricing. discord doesn’t need much, and running everything locally means no monthly fees cutting into your profits.
Had the same issue two years back with 18 Discord bots - ended up building a custom PC. Spent about $800 on decent hardware, but it paid for itself in six months vs cloud hosting costs. Game changer was Proxmox virtualization. I split bots into separate VMs, which made maintenance way easier. Here’s what I learned: Discord bots barely touch CPU when idle, so even a modest 8-core handles everything fine. Memory matters more than processing power. Best part about running everything locally? You control updates and restarts completely - huge when you’re managing multiple communities. Rock solid reliability with proper cooling and a UPS.