🖥️Single Virtual Machine deployment

Single Virtual Machine deployment method for CARTO Self-Hosted

Single Virtual Machine deployment

CARTO is deployed on a single virtual machine using an embedded Kubernetes cluster and Kots. This is the easiest and fastest method to get CARTO running.

How it works

All CARTO services run on one VM inside an embedded cluster managed by Kots. The platform connects out to the external dependencies you provide: a PostgreSQL metadata database and object-storage buckets are always required, plus your data warehouse.

Configuration and maintenance are handled through the Kots Admin Console, a web UI for applying updates, managing configuration with built-in versioning, and generating support bundles.

When to use it

This method might be appropriate if you and your team:

• Are currently evaluating CARTO or deploying CARTO for the first time.

• Have less experience with Kubernetes or DevOps concepts.

• Need a lightweight, low-cost, and low-maintenance deployment method.

• Would like to deploy CARTO on a small-scale or single-server environment.

Characteristics

Aspect	Single Virtual Machine deployment (Kots)
Infrastructure	One VM running an embedded Kubernetes cluster
Configuration & maintenance	Kots Admin Console (web UI)
Scalability	Vertical only — not horizontally scalable
High availability	Not supported (single node)
Customization	Standard configuration options via the Admin Console
Best for	Evaluations, POCs, and small single-server environments

What you'll need

Review the Prerequisites & Checklists, in particular the hardware & software requirements, the external metadata database, and object storage.

Next steps

Ready to deploy? Follow the Single Virtual Machine deployment guide, or try the Single VM quickstart first.