SnapOtter is a fully self-hosted image manipulation platform that runs 100% locally in a single Docker container. It combines 47 image processing tools, powerful local AI models for background removal, upscaling, photo restoration, and more, plus flexible pipelines for building reusable batch workflows. Everything stays completely private on your hardware with zero cloud dependency, so your images never leave your NAS. It features a clean web UI for quick edits and a full REST API for automation and integration. In this step by step guide I will show you how to install SnapOtter on your Synology NAS using Docker and Portainer.

💡Note: This guide works perfectly with the latest SnapOtter v1.16.0 release.

• STEP 1

Please Support My work by Making a Donation.

• STEP 2

Install Portainer using my step by step guide. If you already have Portainer installed on your Synology NAS, skip this STEP. Attention: Make sure you have installed the latest Portainer version.

• STEP 3

Go to File Station and open the docker folder. Inside the docker folder, create one new folder and name it snapotter. Follow the instructions in the image below.
Note: Be careful to enter only lowercase, not uppercase letters.

• STEP 4

Log into Portainer using your username and password. On the left sidebar in Portainer, click on Home then Live connect. Follow the instructions in the image below.

On the left sidebar in Portainer, click on Stacks then + Add stack. Follow the instructions in the image below.

• STEP 5

In the Name field type in snapotter. Follow the instructions in the image below.

Note: Copy Paste the code below in the Portainer Stacks Web editor.

services:
  snapotter:
    image: snapotter/snapotter:latest
    container_name: SnapOtter
    ports: 
      - 1349:1349
    volumes:
      - /volume1/docker/snapotter:/data:rw
    environment:
      AUTH_ENABLED: true
      DEFAULT_USERNAME: marius
      DEFAULT_PASSWORD: mariushosting
      STORAGE_MODE: local
    restart: on-failure:5

Note: Before you paste the code above in the Web editor area below, change the value for DEFAULT_USERNAME. Type in your own username. marius is an example for a username.
Note: Before you paste the code above in the Web editor area below, change the value for DEFAULT_PASSWORD. Type in your own password. mariushosting is an example for a password.

• STEP 6

Scroll down on the page until you see a button called Deploy the stack. Click on it. Follow the instructions in the image below. The installation process can take up to a few minutes. It will depend on your Internet speed connection.

• STEP 7

If everything goes right, you will see this message at the top right of your screen: “Success Stack successfully deployed“.

• STEP 8

🟢Please Support My work by Making a Donation. Almost 99,9% of the people that install something using my guides forget to support my work, or just ignore STEP 1. I’ve been very honest about this aspect of my work since the beginning: I don’t run any ADS, I don’t require subscriptions, paid or otherwise, I don’t collect IPs, emails, and I don’t have any referral links from Amazon or other merchants. I also don’t have any POP-UPs or COOKIES. I have repeatedly been told over the years how much I have contributed to the community. It’s something I love doing and have been honest about my passion since the beginning. But I also Need The Community to Support me Back to be able to continue doing this work.

• STEP 9

The installation process can take up to a few seconds/minutes. It will depend on your Internet speed connection. Now open your browser and type in http://Synology-ip-address:1349 Type in your own Username (DEFAULT_USERNAME) and Password (DEFAULT_PASSWORD) that you have previously added at STEP 5. Click Login. Follow the instructions in the image below.

• STEP 11

Change your password. Type in your current Password then a new Password. Click Change password. Follow the instructions in the image below.

• STEP 12

Disable telemetry. Click Not right now. Follow the instructions in the image below.

• STEP 13

Switch the theme to Dark. Upload your image. Follow the instructions in the image below.

• STEP 14

Your image editing tools at a glance!

• STEP 15

Select the tool that you need, then process your image! After it’s processed, download it.

Enjoy SnapOtter!

🆘TROUBLESHOOTING

If you encounter issues by using this container, make sure to check out the Common Docker issues article.

Note: If you want to run the SnapOtter container over HTTPS, check How to Run Docker Containers Over HTTPS. In order to make SnapOtter work via HTTPS, it’s mandatory to activate WebSocket.

Note: Can I run Docker on my Synology NAS? See the supported models.
Note: How to Back Up Docker Containers on your Synology NAS.
Note: Find out how to update the SnapOtter container with the latest image.
Note: How to Free Disk Space on Your NAS if You Run Docker.
Note: How to Schedule Start & Stop For Docker Containers.
Note: How to Activate Email Notifications.
Note: How to Add Access Control Profile on Your NAS.
Note: How to Change Docker Containers Restart Policy.
Note: How to Use Docker Containers With VPN.
Note: Convert Docker Run Into Docker Compose.
Note: How to Clean Docker.
Note: How to Clean Docker Automatically.
Note: Best Practices When Using Docker and DDNS.
Note: Some Docker Containers Need WebSocket.
Note: Find out the Best NAS Models For Docker.
Note: Activate Gmail SMTP For Docker Containers.