13 Best Ruby on Rails Hosting (Dec. 2023): Shared, Cloud, Cheap & Free

Finding the best Ruby on Rails hosting is a bit more challenging than other popular programming languages. Because of the large computing resources required and security privileges, Ruby on Rails is commonly reserved for more advanced hosting solutions like VPS, cloud, and dedicated servers.

That being said, you can still find affordable shared hosting plans with the oomph to run Ruby on Rails applications. Over the years, the server-side web application framework has become the tool of choice for many of these entrepreneurs. Airbnb, Hulu, and SoundCloud are just a few of the household names developed with the software.

Thousands of developers worldwide employ Ruby on Rails because of its ease of use and zero-cost overhead. However, to build the next Shopify, Zendesk, or Basecamp with Rails, you’re going to need a robust, reliable hosting platform. Here, we’ll break down the industry’s best.

Best Overall | Shared | Cloud | VPS | Dedicated Server | Cheap | Free

When deciding on the best performers in the Ruby on Rails category, we had to look at a number of factors to determine which hosts should sit at the top of our list. While price is certainly top of mind for most aspiring web entrepreneurs seeking to power their Rails applications, we’ve found that performance and flexibility take precedence in most cases.

The hosts below offer an array of shared, VPS, and dedicated server hosting packages that can be optimized to run Ruby on Rails web apps. While the shared hosting packages of yesteryear may not have been up to the task of powering Rails-built sites, many of today’s deliver ample solutions for low-traffic apps just starting out (more on this below). However, if your application has scaled and is attracting a large user base, moving to a managed VPS or dedicated server is probably the best bet to ensure top performance. Luckily, the following hosts provide all these options. Be sure to check out the full reviews in the tables below to see how these hosts’ solutions can work for your Ruby on Rails project.

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Many developers running Ruby on Rails will tell you that a shared environment isn’t the best choice to host sites built with the software. However, if you’re not welcoming a ton of traffic, a shared hosting plan can be a very economical way to power your application.

The shared hosting packages from the hosts below deliver some of the industry’s highest performance, extensive feature sets, and cost-efficient price points. With features, such as CDNs, to accelerate web application speed and 24/7 support should site owners run into problems, these hosts give customers what they need to get their Ruby on Rails sites live. Take a look at the full reviews in the tables below to learn about all the products and services these providers offer.

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As noted above, while hosting Ruby on Rails applications in a shared environment (i.e. numerous sites “sharing” resources on the same server) is possible, it’s not ideal — especially when traffic begins to spike. Short of moving to a dedicated server (we’ll cover this ideal scenario in a minute), moving to cloud hosting or a virtual private server (VPS) is probably your best bet.

Technopedia offers a pretty good definition of cloud hosting, describing it as a physical server being “virtualized and consolidated to host several cloud servers, all sharing the processor, memory, storage, network and other resources.” Basically, this means that your site can be powered by a number of machines in a network. Obviously, the computing power and scalability offered by cloud hosting is far superior to that of a shared environment and, in some cases, even outperforms virtual private servers. Below, you’ll find our picks for the top cloud hosts. Dive into the complete reviews to see which one is right for your online mission.

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Probably the most popular way to power a Ruby on Rails web application is by employing a virtual private server. Many see similarities between VPS hosting and shared or even cloud hosting. However, the main difference is that, instead of leveraging machines across a network (cloud hosting) or vying for resources among users on a single server (shared hosting), VPS hosting partitions off a portion of a dedicated server. This way, you’re never really sharing resources — your space is guaranteed. Think of it as a mini version of a dedicated server.

Cloud and VPS hosting solutions each have distinct upsides, but both are perfect for running Ruby on Rails applications. You’ll find our top contenders for VPS hosting below. Read the full reviews and look for features, such as SSDs, to increase site performance and uptime rates.

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The Ferrari of Ruby on Rails hosting, dedicated servers bring the speed and functionality of a high-performance sports car and prices to match. But don’t let sticker shock get you down. If your app has scaled enough to warrant a dedicated server to power it, odds are good your bottom line can handle the associated costs. And the returns on investment are definitely worth the higher price tag.

The hosts below offer dedicated server packages at reasonable costs and deliver the features necessary for continued growth. With these hosts, SSDs, network redundancy and backups, and around-the-clock monitoring are the norm. Read through our comprehensive reviews of both providers to see how going dedicated could be one of the best business decisions you’ve made.

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If you’ve just developed the next big social media app with Ruby on Rails but don’t have the same budget or number of users as, say, Twitter, don’t fret. There are a number of cost-friendly hosting providers that can power your Rails site. The lowest prices often come with shared hosting packages, and, as discussed, the shared environment is not ideal for scaling.

However, while you’re starting out, the shared hosting packages offered by the providers below will work just fine. And, once you’re ready to grow, migrating to one of the hosts’ VPS or dedicated server solutions is simple. Our reviews in the tables below should deliver all the information you need to make an informed decision on these low-cost plans.

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Thousands of developers are leveraging Ruby on Rails to build the web-based applications and tools modern consumers and businesses rely on every day. And the hosts presented here offer the power necessary to boost the performance of these applications, ultimately enhancing the experience for end users.

So, whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur launching your first project or an established enterprise seeking to super-charge online products, there’s sure to be a shared, cloud, VPS, or dedicated server solution right for your mission. Browse our reviews of top hosts and make an informed decision.

Whatever type of hosting plan you’re looking for, A2 Hosting is a solid choice no matter the scale. Our reviewer Alexandra Anderson recently took A2 Hosting for a spin, and rated the popular host a 4.5 in the Cheap Hosting category out of a perfect score of 5.0. Here’s what Alexandra had to say about A2 Hosting:

With an emphasis on performance and an eye for detail, A2 Hosting largely avoids the typical shortcomings of many web hosts out there. The independently owned company balances high-powered infrastructure and developer tools with equally responsive customer support teams, giving experienced customers a highly optimized hosting experience.

Before signing up for A2 Hosting, it’s a good idea to read through Alexandra‘s full review to learn about all the features A2 Hosting offers. You can also compare it to other web hosts to ensure you’re getting the best deal possible:

• A2 Hosting’s Full Review
• A2 Hosting: 4.5/5.0 vs. Others
• A2 Hosting: $2.99/Mo. vs. Others

If you decide A2 Hosting is the right choice, keep in mind that it takes just minutes to deploy your A2 Hosting server space. And at $2.99 per month, it’s a bargain considering the many great features that come in any A2 Hosting plan.