7 Cheapest Node.js Hosting Providers (Feb. 2024)

Root server access, unlimited bandwidth, and a free domain name are just some of the fancy buzzwords you may see when looking for the cheapest Node.js hosting provider. But to choose a provider, you need to go beyond marketing language to select a plan that plays well with the open-source server environment. Node.js has been around for more than a decade and is popular with businesses — including your favorite streaming platform Netflix — that leverage its fast execution speed to create dynamic pages.

In the early days of the web, static HTML left much to be desired, but basic styling and limited functionality are relics of the past. The early 1990s brought a new web development era that led the way for limitless interactivity between a webpage and a user. Interactive coding languages (for example, JavaScript, Ruby, or Python) allow you to have more meaningful experiences online, including searching for the next TV show to binge. Node.js is just one piece of the enormous puzzle of dynamic web pages, but it’s a pretty important one.

Node.js is a JavaScript run-time environment that allows developers to use JavaScript for server-side scripting instead of the traditional method of browser-based scripting. Using Node.js to interact with the user’s server instead of their browser boasts many advantages but is most frequently praised for its faster page loads and scalability. To maximize the benefits of this open-source server environment, choose a provider that offers a Node.js-optimized hosting plan. We’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite features and providers of the cheapest Node.js hosting.

Due to the technical nature of Node.js hosting, you don’t often see many shared hosting plans that offer this type of service. The run-time environment is popular among businesses and larger organizations because of its high-performance architecture — meaning you will most likely see Node.js hosting in VPS and dedicated server packages. While you may miss out on some standard shared hosting perks, such as a free domain name, unlimited bandwidth, and SSH access, you’ll be glad to know you have at least one uber-affordable shared hosting platform.

But beware, many web hosting companies don’t allow users to run Node.js on a shared hosting package because you need root server access to configure and run the environment. If you sign up for a run-of-the-mill shared hosting plan expecting to run Node.js — you may risk violating your hosting terms and agreements. But lucky for Node.js enthusiasts on a budget, A2 Hosting has got you covered.

A2 Hosting is an industry leader in affordable shared hosting plans that come with ample storage, solid infrastructure, and page load speeds up to 20 times faster than your average provider. This hosting company is one of the few that allows Node.js hosting on its shared plans, meaning users can customize and deploy their Node.js application for just a few dollars per month.

This web host gives customers plenty of perks with its shared hosting plan, including a free SSL certificate, blazing fast SSD storage, and automatic backups. If you’re on a budget, this is a web hosting service you don’t want to miss.

Plus, if you outgrow the resources of A2 Hosting’s shared plan, you can upgrade to its high-performance Node.js VPS plan for a slightly higher monthly cost. That’s a win for customers wanting a long-term hosting relationship.

Compare with the best Node.js hosts overall »

Unlike shared hosting, plenty of VPS plans will back your Node.js application. Both unmanaged and managed VPS hosting plans are affordable, performant hosting solutions for small to midsize businesses that need more customization and performance than a shared plan.

One of the biggest perks of a VPS plan is the maximum scalability it provides for your Node.js app — some providers offer instant upgrades with zero downtime for seamless scaling. Our favorite companies give users a choice of unmanaged or managed VPS and Linux or Windows hosting for ultimate customization. But it gets better: You can find premium Node.js VPS hosting starting for roughly $5 per month.

Dedicated hosting is your top rung on the hosting ladder, representing the industry’s highest price and performance. A dedicated server configuration gives you full root access to customize your run-time environment exactly how you see fit. This appeals to large organizations willing to invest in the most resource-rich server packages.

While dedicated servers are not the cheapest hosting service, what you get is worth the high price tag. The best providers offer custom server configurations, instant deployment, proactive monitoring, and load balancer add-ons. Some dedicated hosting providers even guarantee 100% uptime for your website. If price is on your mind, check out our favorite budget-friendly dedicated server hosting plan below.

Cloud hosting is growing in popularity for its optimal redundancy, reliability, and convenient pricing model, where customers only pay for what they use. The best providers typically offer free daily backups, ample SSD storage, and a free SSL certificate with your hosting package. Tech giants Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure are leading the way with their hosting packages that offer ample cloud storage and scalability. Still, users may find these tech giants lack hands-on support to manage their web hosting endeavors successfully.

Cloud hosting tends to have a lower starting cost, which appeals to price-minded individuals and organizations. The finely tuned control cloud hosting offers can be a challenge for less experienced developers, but with hands-on help from your hosting platform, you can get your Node.js application up and running smoothly. If customer support from one of the tech giants doesn’t cut it, you should check out some of these smaller web hosting companies that provide a hands-on approach for their customers.

Netflix, Twitter, LinkedIn, and PayPal are just some of the countless organizations that use Node.js to deploy their websites and mobile apps. While there are several reasons this run-time environment appeals to so many big businesses, we’ve listed a few of the most common ones.

1. Speed

When it comes to business, time is money, which is even more accurate for eCommerce sites. The ideal page load time sits between zero to four seconds — but each additional second decreases your conversion rate significantly. Organizations often use Node.js to improve website speed, increasing user satisfaction and conversion rates.

2. Scalability

Business is unpredictable. Organizations constantly adjust to consumer demand, and their websites must keep up. The Node.js environment helps companies to scale their sites by using a single thread to handle non-blocking I/O (Input/Output) calls, which frees up your web application to accept concurrent connections. The underlying Node.js architecture and load balancer capability are enormous bonuses for horizontal and vertical scalability.

3. Ease of Use

Node.js has a variety of use cases and has grown a robust community of support since its release in 2009. Developers can find help on various topics to implement Node.js for live chat, streaming, and REST API-based applications, for example. This breadth of support and utility is significant in the server environment’s sustained popularity.

While these are just some of the most popular reasons organizations use the server framework, businesses worldwide are constantly finding new use cases for Node.js. When paired with the best web hosting provider, Node.js will impact your success.

The open-source tech community is growing, which is excellent news for developers looking for free resources and support. RedHat, known for its emphasis on open-source programming, offers a free trial for Node.js hosting on its enterprise Linux plan. If you join the RedHat Developer Program, you get access to developer resources and a community of support to build your Node.js web application. Alternatively, users can access RedHat’s OpenShift Online to launch their free Node.js application with a temporary trial period.

If you have some technical experience, installing Node.js is surprisingly easy. To get started:

1. Download the latest source code or use the installer provided by your Node.js hosting provider. Using this tutorial, oyu can also update your existing NodeJS installation to the latest version.
2. Follow the instructions as prompted and allow about eight minutes until the process is complete.
3. If you have trouble during installation, use the vast knowledge base and community support available on the Node.js website.

Of course, before you begin the installation, you’ll need to decide which Node.js hosting platform is the one for you. You may find you’re most comfortable with tech giants, such as Microsoft Azure or Amazon Web Services, but perhaps you prefer the more hands-on approach of companies InMotion Hosting or Kamatera. If you’re still unsure, check out our complete reviews in each category to look beyond the buzzwords for the best web hosting for your next Node.js web application.