9 Best Java Hosting (July 2024) - $2.99 to $34.99

Creating a Java application is no small feat – why not be sure to find the web hosting resources that keep your apps and websites readily available and performing quickly?

The best Java hosting service comes with more firepower than traditional shared hosting plans, so most businesses will need to choose between a virtual private server (VPS), cloud hosting, or dedicated server hosting.

Here, we’ll discuss the best Java hosting providers in the marketplace in 2024, emphasizing the value of VPS and Java cloud hosting platforms for custom software runtime support over dedicated hosting services.

These commonly asked questions include an overview of Java server and application development platforms, including the ecosystem that supports Minecraft hosting with a Java server targeted to gamers.

With the programming language powering many of the top websites around the world, Java represents an increasingly popular PHP alternative with the programming language powering many of the top websites around the world.

Originally developed by Sun Microsystems in 1995, Java has been around since the early days of the web. It remains one of the most popular programming languages in use on the internet today.

James Gosling, the original creator of Java, required the language to operate on object-oriented, architecture-neutral, interpreted, threaded, and dynamic fundamentals.

Definition: Java hosting entails a site owner leasing server space on architecture optimized to run and support applications and websites created using the Java programming language.

When Oracle acquired Sun Microsystems in 2009, the company took over stewardship of the Java platform, leading to new innovation for enterprise in cloud computing.

Oracle currently supports four platforms of the Java programming language:

• Java Platform, Standard Edition (Java SE): The Java SE API represents the core functionality of the programming language, defining everything from the basic types and objects to high-level classes used for networking, security, and databases.
• Java Platform, Enterprise Edition (Java EE): Built on top of the standard edition to provide a runtime environment for developing and running large-scale applications that see high rates of traffic.
• Java Platform, Micro Edition (Java ME): A subset of the standard edition provides a small-footprint virtual machine and API for running applications on mobile phones and IoT devices.
• JavaFX: A set of hardware-accelerated graphics and media packages for high-performance clients that need high-level APIs for connecting to networked data sources.

The free Standard Edition (SE) is most popular with programmers and developers, with the Java SE Development Kit (JDK) used by teams around the world to build custom software with API specifications.

The Java Runtime Environment (JRE) needs to be configured on the web hosting server to support software built with JDK.

In 2020, Oracle introduced the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) as one of the new features in Java 17. The JVM allows developers to package and run Java code on any operating system, including Linux hosting, Windows, or macOS.

The OpenJDK is a developer resource that provides boilerplate Java code for frequently used features in software applications.

Together, the OpenJDK resources and JVM runtime open up innumerable new possibilities for software creation and data management with a cheap Java hosting company using a cloud server or containerized solution.

All of the available options for Java software development offer a wide variety of platform standards, runtime requirements, and bundled dependencies with any application.

The best Java hosting solution simplifies the coding experience by offering preconfigured virtual hardware with your choice of Apache Tomcat, JVM, Jakarta, or other platforms.

A VPS hosting plan, cloud environment, or dedicated server is preferred for Java application deployment, according to the requirements of the scripts.

Virtual private servers are ideal for Java projects that require more control and customization than shared hosting can offer. A VPS gives users full root access and isolation from others on the server and costs significantly less than a dedicated server. It’s the ideal Java hosting plan for midsize to large businesses that don’t want the expense of dedicated hosting.

On the other hand, a dedicated server will provide you with even more resources and control than a VPS. However, it also comes with a higher price tag — dedicated resources are going to cost you roughly $100 a month or more (compared to VPS hosting, which starts around $10 a month).

The right hosting service will amplify the benefits of the Java language:

• Simplicity: Java takes the best parts of the C programming language and streamlines the code, making it easy to learn.
• Platform and architectural independence: A Java app can run on any operating system or processor.
• Flexible and reusable: Java is an object-oriented programming language, which increases the extensibility and security of your codebase.
• Stability and support: The mature language endures thanks to a large ecosystem of libraries and frameworks, along with the support of Oracle and a massive community of developers.

Ultimately, you can evaluate Java hosting options much the same as you would web hosts for other programming languages. That includes comparing the cost and quality of hardware resources, platform optimizations, and technical or customer support.

A managed cloud VPS solution offers the best upside for most Java web hosting needs. A Java Virtual Machine (JVM) makes containerizing and porting software code across hardware resources easier.

The price of a Java hosting service primarily depends on the amount of traffic that visits a website – and the cost of the hardware configuration that can handle the peak processing requirements.

Don’t expect to run Java apps on shared cPanel hosting. That rules out many of the potential cheap Java hosting options, unfortunately.

For a virtual private server and dedicated server hosting, these prices are tied directly to the number of CPU cores and how much RAM, SSD storage, and bandwidth come with each account.

Price Ranges for the Best Java Hosting Plans:

• Small VPS Plans (1 vCPU and 1GB RAM): $3.95 to $6.95 per month
• Moderate VPS Plans (2 vCPU and 2GB RAM): $4.95 to $12.99 per month
• Premium VPS Plans (at least 4 vCPU and 4GB RAM): $25 to $59.99 per month
• Cloud Hosting Plans: $4 to $50 per month, or monthly pay-as-you-go pricing
• Dedicated Server Plans: $79.99 to $149+ per month based on configurations

Be sure to include DDoS protection and a free SSL certificate on any web hosting service.

SiteGround, A2 Hosting, and Bluehost represent some of the most cost-effective solutions for running Java apps on high-performance, scalable hardware.

SiteGround leverages Google Cloud Platform’s global network of datacenters, while A2 Hosting is known for having blistering-fast servers with the widest range of technology and programming support.

Bluehost and sister company iPage represent user-friendly options for new Java developers. Each web hosting service is managed around the clock by friendly support teams and knowledgeable sysadmins.

Once you establish your web traffic patterns and the processing strain on the hardware, you will have an easier time deciding on the best Java hosting plan to support your projects.

Enterprise companies running Java applications on public cloud hardware often pay more than $1 million per year for elastic web server support. In contrast, an iPage account designed for small businesses is available at less than $20 per month for VPS hosting.

Small businesses and independent developers can choose a cheap VPS plan to host a Java application, while using the platform to scale resources to match web traffic patterns.

Your VPS plan will most likely allow you to monitor web server usage and adjust hardware configurations without reinstalling any software.

We typically recommend a VPS or cloud web hosting platform you can scale with in favor of dedicated hosting plans, unless your project specifically requires those guaranteed resources.

VPS hosting plans and cloud platforms enable developers to install their choice of Java server with the exact configuration and extensions required for a custom application.

The best Java hosting is generally found on managed cloud platforms that focus on building runtime optimization for software applications.

Naturally, the first step to shop for the best Java hosting simply entails finding Java-worthy hardware and support with a price tag that fits your budget.

What to Look for in a Java Web Host:

1. Computing resources: Java chews through a lot of memory, SSD storage, bandwidth and processing power.
2. Scalability: Because a Java app is so resource-intensive, any growth or traffic spikes will need even more room.
3. Java and JVM support: You’ll need extra tools and technologies to run a Java web application. Check for Apache Tomcat or GlassFish support.
4. Cost: How much help do you want maintaining and updating your server environment? A fully managed VPS will save you time but comes with more expense.

Searching for a Java hosting provider isn’t that different from your typical quest to find basic cPanel services. Compare which options fit your budget and processing requirements, paying attention to assorted free perks and limitations.

A web host may limit the number of websites supported for each particular tier, for instance, and other companies may not support Minecraft server hosting at all.

Choosing a specialized Java host is one way to secure the all-around best Java hosting.

Specialized Hosting Solutions for Java Servers:

• JVM Host: Support for all major Java server, servlet, and JVM solutions
• Payara: Microserver allows for cloud-based API functionality for Jakarta EE apps
• JavaPipe: Runs Apache Tomcat in containers with benefits of a shared environment
• Metawerx: Supports all versions of Tomcat, TomEE, GlassFish, JBoss, and others

We find that JVM Host is great for specialists who need all of the configuration and extension options available in the developer ecosystem. The web host’s optimized JRE is built on VPS partitions and XenServer virtualization.

JavaPipe offers Apache Tomcat hosting services for Java that are optimized for code runtimes, while Metawerx created authoritative resources for Apache Tomcat and Java has grown with generations of developers as a resource for Java programming.

The Payara server and cloud platforms are based on the Jakarta EE ecosystem and offer public cloud deployment automation, self-hosted distributions, and managed cloud services.

Servlets enable Java program developers to run their code on many different operating systems and produce dynamic content in apps, functioning as a connector between the Java application and database.

Definition: A Java servlet extends the functionality of web servers by providing a platform-independent way to build a web application and effectively add dynamic content using the Java platform.

As Oracle submitted Java EE to the Eclipse Foundation in 2017, the organization needed to rename the platform to avoid trademark infringement. Java servlets then became known as Jakarta servlets and made part of the Jakarta EE distribution.

The Eclipse Foundation now manages Jakarta servlet specifications and version development.

One of the main advantages of servlets is their ability to combine Java code with other microservices via API support in websites and mobile apps.

The servlet, API, and container system is the basis for maintaining modern Java applications with Jakarta EE.

Programmers working on software applications based on older versions of Java may need to support Java servlets or upgrade code to the latest platform standards.

Apache Tomcat was the original Java server used to deploy servlets and bring dynamic functionality to software apps.

So do you know what the A in a LAMP stack stands for the Apache web server? Well, Java developers need a specialized version of Apache to effectively run Java web applications.

Definition: The Apache Tomcat is a popular open-source web server and servlet container equipped to run Java code. The platform implements Jakarta Servlet, Jakarta Expression Language, and WebSocket technologies.

The Apache Tomcat server, which launched in 1999, was one of the original web server platforms used to deploy Java.

Professional development teams can use Java servlets to implement a request-response programming model on a web server.

Java servlets running a Tomcat version support a Java Server Page (JSP) and WebSockets APIs. Apache Tomcat servers also enable apps written with the Jakarta Expression Language, which the Eclipse Foundation developed as an alternative framework for Java apps.

The Apache HTTP server more commonly found on shared hosting plans is built to serve static files and websites, largely built-in HTML, PHP, and other CGI-friendly scripting languages, including Perl and C.

Apache Tomcat, however, needs to deliver Java content that may change depending on previous interactions with the app or website. By creating a Java-only HTTP web server environment, your dynamic information can more effectively reach your visitors.

There is a huge developer ecosystem around Apache Tomcat for Java programming resources, and a large number of versions are still supported in active deployment. All of the servlets hosted by a Tomcat server now run on the Jakarta EE platform.

In addition to Tomcat, organizations have created several other alternatives:

• IBM WebSphere: A Java server runtime environment used traditionally by enterprise organizations as an application server
• GlassFish: A complete application server distribution for Jakarta EE runtime support managed by the Eclipse Foundation
• Eclipse Jetty: Another Eclipse project similar to Apache Tomcat that offers both server and servlet functionality
• JBoss and WildFly: Red Hat’s commercial and open-source Java runtime environments, respectively.
• WebLogic: Oracle’s Java web server comes with enterprise security standards and specialized resources for application services, business logic, and presentation logic with JSP or HTML

Many enterprise companies are currently modernizing Java applications from legacy versions to modern standards using containerization and public cloud resources.

Apache, NGINX, and LiteSpeed may dominate the overall web server competition, but you can see the Java market is every bit as competitive. Be sure to have a good grasp of your development team and application’s requirements to find the best fit.

Believe it or not, JavaScript is not related to Java – nor is it even similar. Some developers joke that Java is to JavaScript like ham is to hamster.

The team behind the Netscape web browser sought to develop a scripting language that would bring dynamic content to the early days of the web.

JavaScript launched at the end of 1995 as a lightweight language that added interactivity to static HTML sites.

Java hit the market a few months earlier with Sun Microsystems at the helm. The platform includes a compiler, execution engine, software, libraries, and other tools.

The two languages prioritized easy adoption by sharing syntax similar to C and C++.

	Java	JavaScript
Creation	May 1995 – Sun Microsystems	December 1995 – Netscape
Type	Class-based object-oriented programming language	Prototype-based object-oriented programming language
Compilation	Compiled and interpreted	Interpreted
Location	Runs in a JVM, which requires additional software	Runs in web browsers with no initial setup
Threading	Multi-threaded	Single-threaded
Strengths	Extensive libraries, easy to learn, great for application development	Lightweight and powerful frameworks, great for frontend development

These differences between Java and JavaScript became more hazy after the launch of Node.js in 2009.

Node.js allows JavaScript to run on a web server and not only in a web browser, unlocking far more application development capabilities.

The JavaScript ecosystem is booming with innumerable new frameworks for mobile apps, including React, Vue, Next, Nuxt, Gatsby, and AngularJS. These frameworks enable web apps to perform faster in production.

Other JavaScript development relates to GUIs, slideshows, animations, carousels, and similar scripts running on Ajax or with JQuery. Numerous JavaScript projects support 2D, 3D, and WebGL animations.

Most application developers will not be able to run Java software on a shared hosting service.

Believe it or not, the JVM will actually function on shared hosting resources (though it probably wants more RAM). The problem is actually in the hosting provider’s server configurations.

Most shared hosting servers run on the Apache web server. But Java applications require Apache Tomcat, a specialized tool more often available at higher levels of hosting.

Most shared hosting customers opt for PHP-based website platforms and don’t need a Tomcat manager or many other Java development tools. That’s why a hosting provider isn’t likely to support Tomcat on shared hardware.

At the VPS and cloud hosting levels, however, a hosting provider has more flexibility in what technologies to offer customers. Developers have far more control to customize their web hosting environment to their application needs.

JVM Host, JavaPipe, Payara, and Metawerx are the most technically specialized in the managed Java server category. But we prefer trusting our projects with tried-and-true hosting services with a long record of success, innovation, and support.

Companies like A2 Hosting, SiteGround, and InMotion Hosting, for instance, are known for world-class infrastructure and in-depth development experience.

Top VPS and Cloud Hosting for Java:

Hosting Provider	Price	Services
InMotion Hosting	$9.99	VPS and Cloud
Hostwinds	$4.99	VPS and Cloud
Bluehost	$31.99	VPS only
A2 Hosting	$2.99	VPS only
SiteGround	$100.00	Cloud only

Every programming team, business operation, or individual developer will have personal preferences about which Java server or servlet application to deploy.

The ability to configure a VPS with many different options for the base operating system, server framework, and programming language extensions is a major advantage to choosing a VPS hosting provider listed above.

Many of the managed VPS plans will allow Java program apps to deploy alongside PHP, Python, ASP.NET, and other languages on different stacks using Apache or NGINX.

Ultimately, developers will likely need to configure Java on managed VPS platforms or use Webuzo or cPanel on plans that support multiple domain names.

The key differentiators in finding the best Java hosting provider include hardware cost and the method of virtualization the platform uses.

Thanks to the write once, run anywhere nature of Java, game developers turned to the language to create the original version of Minecraft to provide cross-platform runtime compatibility for Windows hosting, iOS, and Linux.

The Minecraft Java Edition allows players to explore a seemingly infinite (and blocky) world, harvest materials, craft tools, and build structures.

The Java edition of Minecraft includes shaders, textures, and skins created by users in the community.

Game developers used the Java server functionality to promote collaborative, multiuser play of the game in real time at scale.

Players can enjoy better security and performance with their own Minecraft server environment, along with the freedom to use various modpacks or maps.

Best Minecraft Server Hosting for Java:

• Hostwinds: Provides optimized application server template and the McMyAdmin control panel
• Hostinger: Users can easily switch between server types and automatically install mods and plugins
• A2 Hosting: Blazing-fast Turbo server options known for a wide range of software support
• GoDaddy: Offers a great tutorial on running Minecraft on a server or desktop with different operating systems

While the companies above are superb all-around hosting providers, the following hosts take a slightly more focused approach to game server hosting.

Apex Hosting includes video tutorials for Minecraft and a Multicraft control panel among a suite of other tools made specifically for running a multi-player environment on a Java server.

BisectHosting has spent thousands of hours in improving the Multicraft control panel for Minecraft on their platform. Using a platform with managed services is easier than customizing and maintaining a VPS environment for a Minecraft Java server.

PloxHost Minecraft hosting includes Modpack preinstalls, as well as support for Java 8, 11, and 16.

Skynode offers Minecraft players free hosting accounts based on Java servers, and supports both the Java and Bedrock editions of Minecraft.

If you are serious about Minecraft, consider a Java server from one of these hosts.

After 25 years of Java application development, you can find a wide range of custom software solutions running in global business operations.

As with any other development and web hosting project, the first step in starting with a Java hosting provider should entail a thorough IT audit of the project to identify the resources and budget requirements.

Those metrics should inform which Java platform tools best suit your project. Some companies, for instance, have transitioned with Java from the Sun Microsystems era to Oracle.

Other enterprise organizations use tools from IBM, Red Hat, Payara, and other companies that include specific Java support for every aspect of the software pipeline for large programming teams.

A company with 250 Java programmers may have different needs and requirements for their project support when compared to a company with 25 or fewer Java programmers.

Small teams supporting legacy Java application modernization for enterprise are frequently choosing containerization on public cloud hardware as a primary option.

Finally, choose a VPS or cloud plan and use Webuzo to install Java packages according to app requirements. Docker and Bitnami allow the full stack software including code, web server, operating system, database, and runtime extensions to be packaged together.