Hello Dev, if you are looking for a way to host your Node.js application without paying a penny, then you are in the right place. In this article, we will discuss the best free host Node.js servers available in the market that can help you deploy, run and manage your application effortlessly. So, let’s get started.
What is a Node.js Server?
Before we jump to the list of free Node.js servers, let’s understand what a Node.js server is. A Node.js server is a server-side application that runs on Node.js runtime environment. It is used to communicate with the client-side, process incoming requests, and return responses accordingly.
Node.js servers are popular among developers because of its non-blocking I/O operations, which allows it to handle multiple requests simultaneously without blocking the event loop. Additionally, it provides a vast range of modules and libraries that can be utilized to create web applications, REST APIs, and many more.
Why Choose a Free Node.js Server?
There are several reasons why you should opt for a free Node.js server instead of a paid one. Firstly, if you are just starting out, you may not have enough budget to pay for hosting services. Secondly, free Node.js servers are an excellent way to test your application before deploying it to a paid server. Lastly, you can use these servers for hobby projects or personal projects without investing any money.
Top Free Host Node.js Servers
There are several free host Node.js servers available in the market, but in this section, we will discuss the best ones that you can rely on. Let’s have a look.
Server Name |
Features |
Limitations |
|---|---|---|
Heroku |
– Automatic scaling – Custom domains support – SSL encryption – Git integration – Multiple deployment methods |
– Limited free tier resources – CPU throttling – Dyno sleeping after 30 minutes of inactivity – Limited database addon support |
AWS Lambda |
– Serverless architecture – Pay-As-You-Go pricing – Scalability and high availability – Integration with various AWS services – Multiple languages support |
– Limited runtime for free tier – Cold starts – Limited compute time and memory allocation – Limited storage |
Google Cloud Run |
– Serverless architecture – Automatic scaling – Container-based deployments – Custom domains support – Multiple languages support |
– Limited free tier resources – CPU throttling – Limited storage and network egress – Limited runtime for free tier |
Zeit Now |
– Automatic scaling – Custom domains support – Git integration – Serverless architecture – Multiple deployment methods |
– Limited free tier resources – Cold starts – Limited runtime for free tier – Limited deployment options |
1. Heroku
Heroku is a cloud-based platform that offers free and paid services for hosting, deploying and managing web applications. It supports several programming languages, including Node.js, Java, PHP, and many more. On the free tier, Heroku provides a limited amount of resources that are suitable for small to medium-sized applications.
Features of Heroku
- Automatic scaling
- Custom domains support
- SSL encryption
- Git integration
- Multiple deployment methods
Limitations of Heroku
- Limited free tier resources
- CPU throttling
- Dyno sleeping after 30 minutes of inactivity
- Limited database addon support
How to Use Heroku?
Using Heroku to host a Node.js application is relatively easy. Here are the steps:
- Create a Heroku account and install the Heroku CLI
- Create a new Heroku app using the CLI
- Deploy your Node.js application to Heroku using Git or other deployment methods
- Configure your app’s environment variables and add-ons
- Scale your app to multiple dynos based on your needs
2. AWS Lambda
AWS Lambda is a serverless compute service that allows you to run code without provisioning or managing servers. It supports several programming languages, including Node.js, Python, Ruby, etc. On the free tier, AWS Lambda provides a limited amount of compute time and memory allocation that can be used to run small applications.
Features of AWS Lambda
- Serverless architecture
- Pay-As-You-Go pricing
- Scalability and high availability
- Integration with various AWS services
- Multiple languages support
Limitations of AWS Lambda
- Limited runtime for free tier
- Cold starts
- Limited compute time and memory allocation
- Limited storage
How to Use AWS Lambda?
Using AWS Lambda to run a Node.js application is quite simple. Here are the steps:
- Create an AWS account and navigate to the Lambda service
- Create a new Lambda function using the blueprint or create from scratch
- Upload your Node.js application code to the function
- Configure your function’s environment variables and permissions
- Test your function and monitor its performance using AWS CloudWatch
3. Google Cloud Run
Google Cloud Run is a serverless platform that allows you to run stateless containers that can be triggered from HTTP requests or events. It supports several programming languages, including Node.js, Python, Java, etc. On the free tier, Google Cloud Run provides a limited amount of resources that are suitable for small-scale applications.
Features of Google Cloud Run
- Serverless architecture
- Automatic scaling
- Container-based deployments
- Custom domains support
- Multiple languages support
Limitations of Google Cloud Run
- Limited free tier resources
- CPU throttling
- Limited storage and network egress
- Limited runtime for free tier
How to Use Google Cloud Run?
Using Google Cloud Run to deploy a Node.js application is quite straightforward. Here are the steps:
- Create a Google Cloud account and navigate to the Cloud Run service
- Create a new Cloud Run service and configure its settings
- Build your Node.js application in a Docker container and push it to a container registry
- Deploy your container to the Cloud Run service and configure its environment variables
- Access your application using the provided URL or custom domain
4. Zeit Now
Zeit Now is a serverless platform that allows you to deploy, run and manage web applications and APIs easily. It supports several programming languages, including Node.js, Python, Go, etc. On the free tier, Zeit Now provides a limited amount of resources that are suitable for small to medium-sized applications.
Features of Zeit Now
- Automatic scaling
- Custom domains support
- Git integration
- Serverless architecture
- Multiple deployment methods
Limitations of Zeit Now
- Limited free tier resources
- Cold starts
- Limited runtime for free tier
- Limited deployment options
How to Use Zeit Now?
Using Zeit Now to deploy a Node.js application is quite a straightforward process. Here are the steps:
- Create a Zeit Now account and install the Now CLI
- Create a new project and deploy it using the CLI
- Configure your project’s environment variables and secrets
- Scale your project based on your needs
- Access your application using the provided URL
Conclusion
Hosting a Node.js application doesn’t need to be expensive. There are several free host Node.js servers available in the market that can help you launch and manage your application with ease. In this article, we discussed the best free host Node.js servers, namely Heroku, AWS Lambda, Google Cloud Run, and Zeit Now, along with their features and limitations. Choose one that fits your needs and start deploying your application today!
FAQs
1. What is Node.js?
Node.js is an open-source, cross-platform runtime environment that allows developers to build scalable, high-performance applications using JavaScript. It runs on the V8 JavaScript engine and provides a vast range of modules and libraries that can be utilized to create web applications, REST APIs, and many more.
2. Why choose a Node.js host server?
A Node.js host server allows you to deploy, run and manage your Node.js application effortlessly without worrying about the underlying infrastructure. Additionally, it provides several features such as auto-scaling, load balancing, custom domains support, and many more, that can help you launch your application faster and more efficiently.
3. Is it possible to host a Node.js application for free?
Yes, it is possible to host a Node.js application for free by using free Node.js hosts such as Heroku, AWS Lambda, Google Cloud Run, and Zeit Now. These hosts provide limited resources that can be used to run small to medium-sized applications for free.
4. What are the limitations of free Node.js host servers?
The limitations of free Node.js host servers vary from host to host. Generally, they provide limited resources such as compute time, memory allocation, storage, and bandwidth, which can be used to run small-scale applications. Additionally, some hosts may have CPU throttling, dyno sleeping, or cold starts that can affect your application’s performance.
5. How do I choose the right Node.js host server?
Choosing the right Node.js host server depends on several factors such as your application’s requirements, traffic, budget, and many more. Some hosts may provide better features at a higher cost, while others may provide limited features for free. It’s essential to evaluate your needs and choose a host that fits your requirements and budget.