Writer: Alexandra Anderson
Editor: Lillian Castro
Reviewer: Cristian Lopez
Fans of the developer-friendly JavaScript platform may already know where to find free Node.js hosting — but where do you go as your app needs to grow?
If you’re just starting out, free probably sounds pretty good. Heck, who doesn’t love free? When your site or app’s needs start to scale, however, free plans likely won’t cut it.
Given the administrative server access required to install and configure Node.js and its related packages, the run-time environment is typically reserved for more powerful (and more expensive) VPS and dedicated server plans.
The best cheap Node.js hosting plans, however, balance computing power with affordable rates. I’ve evaluated the web’s leading Node.js hosting providers to give you the best options for free and cheap hosting.
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Best Free Node.js Hosting Services
I’ve scoured the web to find the consensus on the best Node.js hosting with a $0 price tag. Below, I break down the feature sets and limitations of the most popular providers.
| Host | Languages | Limits | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vercel | JavaScript (Node.js) |TypeScript | Python | Go | Rust | Ruby | PHP | 100 builds per day, 100 GB bandwidth per month, and 10 seconds per function | Serverless function support and fast deployments |
| Netlify | JavaScript (Node.js) |TypeScript | Go | Rust | Python | | 125k requests/month for serverless functions and 10 seconds per function | Great for JAMstack apps needing a small Node.js backend |
| Render | JavaScript (Node.js) | Python | Ruby | Go | Java | PHP | 500 MB RAM and 1GB storage per month | Ideal for small Node.js apps and prototyping |
| Microsoft Azure | Node.js | Java | PHP | Python | .NET | $200 credit for the first month | Provision Windows and Linux Virtual Machines and applications in minutes |
1. Vercel
Vercel has a free plan that’s perfect for hobbyists and personal projects. As an individual, you can deploy your Node.js app on the same platform as companies like Netflix, Box, and Tripadvisor — if that gives you an idea of the quality you’re getting.
Developers will appreciate the serverless API routes and environment variables. It also offers one-click Git integrations with GitHub, GitLab, and Bitbucket for faster deployments.
Obviously, the free plan comes with some limitations. For example, you’ll only get 100 GB of bandwidth, and since it’s a serverless platform, you can’t run any background jobs. However, this is a small trade-off for all the no-cost perks you get.
2. Netlify
Create a personal project for free with Netlify’s single-member plan. You’ll get access to live site previews with collaboration UI and instant rollbacks. I appreciate its previews, since every commit gets a unique preview URL for testing.
As for performance, Netlify uses a global edge network, meaning functions run from the closest server location for faster response times.
Like Vercel, Netlify limits your monthly bandwidth to 100 GB. However, it allows up to 300 build minutes — 3x more than Vercel. If you’re looking for a free, reliable solution for a personal project, you should seriously consider Netlify.
3. Render
Render is another viable option for students and hobbyists looking to host a Node.js app for free. You’ll get a fairly standard 100 GB of monthly bandwidth and an impressive 500 free pipeline minutes.
What I like most about it is how easy it makes deploying Node.js apps. The software automatically detects Node apps and deploys them without the need for complex configuration. It also automatically connects to your Git repository for easy version control.
If you outgrow the free plan, you can upgrade to one of three paid versions: Professional, Organization, and Enterprise. But be warned, the paid plans are a little pricey. Professional starts at $20 a month.
4. Microsoft Azure
Another strong competitor in the free Node.js hosting world is Microsoft’s Azure services. You can sign up for a free month and get $200 to spend on all Azure services.
Azure provides instant provisioning for Windows and Linux VMs and applications.
Get started with Azure and easily manage user accounts, synchronize with existing on-prem directories, and get single sign-on access to Azure, Office 365, and hundreds of other popular SaaS applications, including Salesforce, DocuSign, Google Apps, Box, and Dropbox.
Cheap Node.js Hosts: Plans Starting $3.99/Month
Node.js hosting poses many advantages for JavaScript developers, and, as you might guess, finding a free service that doesn’t sacrifice quality can be tricky. I’d recommend instead opting for an affordable, high-powered host with plans that specialize in, or at least are capable of facilitating, Node hosting.
Having tested the top VPS and dedicated server plans on the market, I found the following to be the best and easiest for Node.js:
5. Kamatera.com
Monthly Starting Price $4.00
- Cloud VPS that’s more flexible and affordable
- Load balancer, firewall, and managed services
- Premium Intel CPUs with 300% more power
- Choose between monthly or hourly billing
- Sign up today for a 30-day FREE trial
- Get started on Kamatera now.
Backed by cutting-edge cloud computing technology, Kamatera adds instant and limitless scalability to the VPS hosting marketplace. Each cloud or virtual server is equipped with blazing-fast SSD storage and Intel Xeon Platinum CPUs. Go to full review »
| Setup Time | Disk Space | CPU | RAM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 minutes | 20 GB SSD – 4 TB SSD | 1 – 32 cores | 1 GB – 128 GB |
Kamatera is one of my favorite web hosts for developers because of its flexibility and affordability. You can configure your server to your exact specifications, including operating system, data center location, and number of IP addresses.
Upon signup, your 30-day free trial begins. You can test the platform free for an entire month before the pay-as-you-go pricing kicks in.
6. Hostinger.com
Monthly Starting Price $4.49
- NVMe SSD storage and malware scanner
- Automatic weekly backups and an AI assistant
- FREE dedicated IPv4 and IPv6 addresses
- Custom control panel for reboots and OS installs
- 1-click operating system template
- HostingAdvice readers enjoy more than 50% off
- Get started on Hostinger now.
Hostinger’s laser focus on providing affordable hosting solutions shines brightest with the company’s VPS packages. The company provides four different virtual server plans, including one that costs less than $5. Go to full review »
| Setup Time | Disk Space | CPU | RAM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 minutes | 50 GB NVMe – 400 GB NVMe | 1 – 8 cores | 4 GB – 32 GB |
Looking for a more beginner-friendly option? Check out Hostinger. I like the web host’s intuitive hPanel control panel for managing your account.
However, just because it’s beginner-friendly doesn’t mean it doesn’t have the hardware to back resource-intensive applications — Hostinger boasts lightning-fast NVMe SSD drives and has plans that scale up to 400 GB of disk space, 8 CPU cores, and 32 GB RAM. Simply choose a VPS plan that suits the needs of your Node app, and you’re good to go.
7. InterServer.net
Monthly Starting Price $3.00
- $0.01 for the first month using code HOSTINGADV
- Then $6 monthly with no contracts, no changes
- Latest of PHP, MySQL, Perl, Python, and Ruby
- 7 operating system options for Linux or Windows
- Full root access and choice of datacenter
- Get started on InterServer now.
InterServer’s on-site datacenter and hands-on involvement with configuring and provisioning virtual private servers give customers a level of flexibility not seen with many other hosting providers. InterServer rations VPS and cloud resources through slices. Go to full review »
| Setup Time | Disk Space | CPU | RAM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 minutes | 30 GB SSD – 480 GB SSD | 1 – 16 CPUs | 2 – 32 GB |
Not only does InterServer feature a $3.00/month introductory offer and month-to-month (no annual contract) billing, but it happens to be one of the fastest and most reliable hosts I’ve tested.
The host offers a simple guide for Node.js setup and an always-available support team if you need assistance.
8. Hostwinds.com
Monthly Starting Price $4.99
- Managed or unmanaged, in Windows or Linux
- Cloud hosting with hourly or monthly billing
- Instant upgrades without downtime
- FREE around-the-clock monitoring
- Automatic nightly backups available
- Get started on Hostwinds now.
Does any hosting provider have more virtual private server packages than Hostwinds. The company offers 10 configurations — and that’s just for managed Linux server partitions. Go to full review »
| Setup Time | Disk Space | CPU | RAM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 minutes | 30 GB SSD – 750 GB SSD | 1 – 16 cores | 1 – 96 GB |
Hostwinds is one of the fast-growing VPS hosts, offering affordable plans and market-leading features.
It, too, offers easy Node.js installation instructions to ensure you’re up and running in no time. As your project scales, Hostwinds will give you instant upgrades with no downtime.
9. A2Hosting.com
Monthly Starting Price $3.99
- Turbo server & cache options for faster page loads
- Well-built plans starting with 25GB SSD
- FREE CDN plus auto-installs with Softaculous
- Multilingual support and up to unlimited databases
- Enhanced security with and daily kernel updates
- Get started on A2 Hosting now.
While A2 Hosting’s turbocharged shared hosting platform gives site owners ample room to grow, the company’s tech prowess is on full display with its portfolio of VPS options. Ranging from unmanaged, bare-metal environments to stress-free, fully managed space, A2 Hosting is sure to have the perfect option for your expanding online presence. Go to full review »
| Setup Time | Disk Space | CPU | RAM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 minutes | 20 GB SSD – 450 GB SSD | 1 – 10 cores | 1 GB – 32 GB |
A2 Hosting is known for speed and reliability at an affordable price — even on shared hosting plans.
I also like A2’s developer-friendly features, such as your choice of operating system and full root access. Their support section features several Node.js guides to help you through installation and launch.
See More Paid VPS Options for Node.js »
What Is Node.js Hosting?
When I talk about Node.js hosting, I’m referring to any type of server that supports Node.js and has features that optimize your hosting experience.
These features can include NVMe SSDs for faster load times, staging tools for development, and seamless integration with version control tools such as GitHub.
What Are the Minimum Server Requirements to Host Node.js?
If you want to host a Node.js app, you should know there are some basic server requirements for everything to run smoothly. These include:
- Operating system: You can use Linux, MacOS, or Windows, but Linux is preferred for production environments.
Node version: Look for a host that supports a Node.js version with long-term support (LTS). - Memory: 1 GB RAM is the minimum for lightweight apps, but heavier ones will need more.
- Disk space: You’ll need at least 50 to 500 MB of disk space for lightweight to medium-sized apps.
- Security: Choose a host with a firewall and SSH for remote access
Of course, these are just the basics. When it comes time to choose a host, you’ll also want to check out price, customer support, and add-ons.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Free Hosting?
I’ve said this time and time again: free hosting has some serious limitations. It can be useful, but only in certain circumstances. If you’re a hobbyist or if you’re working on a personal project, free hosting is an excellent option for Node.js apps.
But it does come with some downsides. I’ll explain below:
Pros
- It’s free!
- Free plans typically work great for lightweight personal projects, learning, and prototyping.
- Free hosts usually have a pre-configured Node.js environment, which makes it easy to deploy.
Cons
- You’ll have limited bandwidth and traffic compared to paid plans.
- Many free hosts put your server to “sleep” after a short period of inactivity. This can make it slower upon startup.
- Free plans limit the amount of customization.
- Some plans limit the number of API calls and requests.
Should I Use Shared or VPS Hosting for Node.js?
The choice to use a shared server or a VPS comes down to a few things, including your skill level, budget, and website traffic.
You can use a shared server if…
- You’re a beginner, and you’re building your first Node.js app to learn the ropes.
- Your app has low traffic.
- You don’t require root access or advanced customization options.
- You have a tight budget.
But you can (or should) upgrade to a VPS when…
- Your app has poor performance on your shared hosting plan.
- You want more customization and control.
- You’re building a Node.js app for a business.
- You have some wiggle room in your budget for a more expensive plan.
Even though shared hosting has its limits, it serves beginners and low-traffic applications well. On the flip side, it may be worth investing in a higher-powered VPS if you want a little extra control and oomph from your web hosting plan.
Is Managed VPS Hosting Worth It?
Managing a server comes with all sorts of headaches and pains sometimes. You have to configure the security settings, manage updates, and ensure all your data is backed up regularly. Or, you can offload all that work to your web host with a managed hosting plan.
With a managed hosting plan, web hosting experts handle the server’s setup and maintenance so you can focus on other things.
The convenience of managed hosting comes at a higher price tag than unmanaged hosting, but it’s worth it to people who don’t have the time or knowledge to manage their own server.
How Do I Choose a Web Host?
Now, it’s time to weigh your options and select a plan. Here’s how to go about choosing a web host:
- Make a list of the basic requirements you need for your application. Consider server type, root access, whether you want a managed service, and how much RAM, bandwidth, and disk space you need.
- Next, figure out how much you can spend each month so you know what budget you’re working with.
- Read top web host reviews like the ones I mentioned above, and make a short list of your favorite 2–3 hosts.
- Compare each host’s value. Are you getting a good deal for the price you’re paying? If two hosts cost the same amount, but one offers twice the RAM, consider the added value you’re getting from it.
- Lastly, check your finalist’s terms of service. Plenty of cheap hosting plans offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. It’s good to know if you have one ahead of time in case you’re unsatisfied with the service.
The Bottom Line: You’ve Got Plenty of Node.js Hosting Options
I’ve covered all the best free and cheap Node.js hosts available. Each one has something valuable to offer, whether it’s instant deployment or developer-friendly tools. Hopefully, this information is helpful to you in picking your first Node.js host.
Have fun playing around with Node.js!
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