Top 10 NodeJS Hosting Providers

Node.js is one of the commonly used runtime environments that is based on JavaScript. With 47.12% votes, Node.js also got the leading position among the most used technologies and web frameworks in a recent survey of Stack Overflow. However, finding a highly scalable, robust, and reliable hosting provider for Node.js requires great effort.

Thus, this guide presents the top Node.js hosting providers with their core features and pricing structures. Besides, we will have a look at the pros and cons of Node.js in this article.

Key Takeaways

• Node.js is a highly popular and widely used runtime environment for building real-time and scalable applications. It offers advantages such as robustness, cost-effectiveness, scalability, fast loading times, a rich ecosystem, and active community support.

• While Node.js has its advantages, it also has some drawbacks, including an unstable API, limited library support, complexity in maintaining code due to asynchronous programming, and being unsuitable for heavy computing projects.

• When it comes to Node.js hosting providers, the top 10 options include Back4app Container Platform, Heroku, DigitalOcean, AWS, BlueHost, HostPapa, Glitch, Kamatera, FastComet, and SiteGround.

NodeJS Overview 

NodeJS is an open-source freemium backend runtime environment initially released in 2009. This technology carries the JS code beyond the browser and depends on the V8 engine. In the beginning, it only advocated macOS and Linux, but now, it also supports SmartOS, IBM AIX, FreeBSD, and Windows. 

If we talk about its uses, NodeJS is typically used to create dynamic web pages and data-centric applications. Furthermore, this server environment has the ability to read, build, remove, open, and script the files on the server. The renowned tech giants benefitting from NodeJS are Netflix, PayPal, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Uber. 

NodeJS Pros & Cons

Here are the core pros and cons of Node.js:

Robust & Real-Time Applications

NodeJS lets the development teams build agile and high-performing real-time applications. Indeed, without overloading the RAM, the event-directed and single-threaded nature of NodeJS authorizes this framework to conduct various tasks at a good speed.

The use of V8 Chrome Engine and non-blocking I/O operations also improves scripting efficiency. Similarly, if we talk about its advantages for real-time applications, GoDaddy has already tested NodeJS. Yes, the ad campaign for GoDaddy designed for Superbowl got 10k requests per second. Fortunately, there was no downtime in this period, and this venture only used 10% of hardware resources.   

Economical

NodeJS is definitely an economical choice because it is based on a commonly used and popular programming language JavaScript. You can use JS for full-stack, and developers don’t need to adopt another language for the frontend. Undoubtedly, if you are using Node.js for the server side, you can pick the JS frameworks like Angular, Vue, or React.js for the client side. 

Correspondingly, LinkedIn also noticed a reduction in required servers when it moved from RoR to Node.js. For Node.js, the LinkedIn dev team only employed 3 servers, and for Ruby on Rails, they used 30 servers.

Highly Scalable & Customizable

With properties like non-blocking, I/O, and low memory impression, it is convenient to scale Node.js applications. Especially, Node.js is considered a very trusted environment when it comes to vertical scaling. On the other hand, this server environment is easy to customize. Developers can swap data between the client and servers through ready-to-use APIs and JSON file formats. 

Less Loading Time

Users can rapidly approach the requested web page with quick caching of Node.js. Yes, the catching component of this runtime technology lets the programmers shorten the code rendering and additional workload. Therefore, it has cached within the application’s memory when the initial module of the application is asked. Consequently, it decreases the loading duration. 

Rich Ecosystem

The availability of open-source tools and JS libraries is another appealing advantage of using NodeJS. Especially npm or NodeJS package manager is very useful, and around 17 million developers utilize this platform. Moreover, you will find 2 million packages in this npm registry. 

Active Community Support

NodeJS belongs to an aged and globally used programming language JavaScript which is why this JS runtime owns extensive community support. Hereof, NodeJS has 94.6k repository stars and 25.7k forks on GitHub. By the same token, there are almost 460k questions available on Stack Overflow with the tag ‘node.js.’

With diverse advantages, NodeJS also has some drawbacks that we are discussing below:

Unstable API

There is no doubt an unstable API is the most significant disadvantage of using Node.js. Mainly, you will face worse consequences if you don’t stay updated with the latest happenings. Indeed, API changes anytime, and it can break your code if you are unaware of current modifications. 

Absence of Powerful Library Support

Developers usually complain about the unavailability of a strong library system while using Node.js runtime environment. This drawback also forces them to find and use third-party tools and libraries. However, it is still challenging to get enough documentation for these third-party tools. 

Arduous to Maintain Script

It is also complicated to maintain the code because NodeJS is based on an asynchronous programming model. Coders definitely need in-depth knowledge to deal with too many complex looping functions and callbacks. Otherwise, it will become challenging for programmers to maintain the code in this ‘Callback Hell’ situation. 

Lousy Choice for Heavy Computing Projects

If your project needs heavy computing and CPU resources, then you should avoid NodeJS. Yes, this server environment is a bad choice for heavy computing tasks because of its single thread and event-driven structure. 

Top 10 NodeJS Hosting Providers

Here are the most advanced and leading NodeJS hosting providers:

1. Back4app Container Platform

Back4app Container Platform is a plausible NodeJS hosting provider that owns a global community of 220k developers. This open-source hosting solution officially claims its support for NodeJS projects. With a user-friendly and highly scalable environment, it also grants a containerized ambiance to run NodeJS applications. 

Less overhead and quick and efficient development are outcomes of containerized architecture while using this hosting platform. You just need to bring your script, and Back4app will do all the further things for you. 

Core Features

Easy Deployment – Unlike conventional hosting solutions, developers find Back4app Containers very convenient. After free signup, you just need to link your Back4app account with the GitHub repository, and deployment will take only a few minutes.

Please follow the tutorial, A step-by-step guide to run and deploy a NodeJS application, and check out how easy is the deploying process using Back4app.

Free Tier – It has become challenging to find a free tier nowadays, and the majority of hosting vendors need credit card details in this regard. Fortunately, you can register on the Back4app CaaS platform without giving card details and benefit from its free tier.

Community Support – Although Back4app doesn’t own a massive community, but finding answers to your queries through different channels is smooth. You can connect with the team through Slack or explore tutorials and guides through YouTube, Twitter, and Stack Overflow.

Fast Development – Development is robust with Back4app servers. Yes, this hosting provider uses fast servers to execute your script seamlessly. Moreover, dev teams also don’t need to administer the infrastructure, which is a reason for quick development.

Scalable – Similarly, Back4app CaaS is considered a scalable hosting provider that is based on computing solutions. You can extend your required memory, RAM, containers, and resources anytime. 

Pricing

Back4app Container Platform has straightforward and calculable pricing models:

Free: This hosting program lets novice developers and learners consume 0.25 CPU, 100 GB transfer, and 256 MB RAM for free. In addition, the Free plan also comes with custom Docker deployment and community support. 

Shared: It is suitable for startup companies to go with the Share hosting solution of Back4app, which comes with 0.5 CPU, 100 GB transfer, and 512 MB RAM. With global CDN, the monthly fee of this plan is only $5/container.

Dedicated: If you are an SME or an enterprise and willing to build a NodeJS application, then you must consider a Dedicated plan. It is the most appealing program of the Back4app Container Platform that comes with 250 GB transfer, 2 GB RAM, and 1 CPU. In this regard, you must pay $50 per month per container. 

Keep reading to discover more Node.js free hosting platforms.

2. Heroku

Heroku is another affordable hosting solution that formally supports NodeJS applications. It is undoubtedly easy to build, manage and deploy NodeJS projects with this fully managed hosting solution. Moreover, all sizes of businesses, startup companies, students, teams, developers, and agencies can benefit from Heroku without any issues.

Core Features

Smart Containers – This hosting provider allots lightweight dynos or containers to run applications to developers. With the availability of this containerized environment, dev teams don’t have to waste time administering VMs or hardware. 

Database Support – Heroku data services are exceptional, including Managed PostgreSQL, Data for Redis, and Apache Kafka on Heroku. These data services help developers to build highly productive and fast applications. In addition, Heroku deals with 60 billion requests per day.  

Enterprise-Level Support – With excellent uptime, Heroku facilitates its users with enterprise-grade customer support. You can create a ticket or ask your query from the community seamlessly.

Private Spaces – This Heroku property is the best fit for projects that need a powerful and devoted runtime environment for their projects. 

Pricing

Heroku divides its dyno services into the following three categories:

Eco & Basic: These are primary-level plans that come with 512 MB RAM and a restricted number of process types. Eco offers 1k dynos hours and charges $5/month. Similarly, the Basic plan costs $7/month per dyno. 

Standard: With an unmetered number of process types, Standard 1x and Standard 2x have monthly charges of $25 and $50 per dyno. By the way, Standard 1x comes with 512 MB RAM, and 2x offers 1 GB RAM.

Performance: Performance M and L are two plans under this category. They come with 2.5 GB and 14 GB RAM, respectively. If we talk about the charges, Performance M costs $250/dyno, and Performance L charges $500/dyno monthly. 

Keep reading to discover more free Node.js hosting platforms.

3. DigitalOcean

DigitalOcean is a low-cost Node.js hosting provider that offers two types of solutions in this regard. Indeed, you can find Virtual Machines (VMs) and Infrastructure as a service (IaaS) hosting for your project when you use DigitalOcean. 

Moreover, the smooth setup of Node.js on Ubuntu and the backing of load balancers make this IaaS hosting solution great for seasoned developers, businesses, and startups. 

Core Features

Droplets – With optimized memory, CPU, and storage, this feature offers VM-based hosting to businesses. Dev teams can seamlessly administer this platform through the user interface.

App Platform – With this product, programmers can get fully managed hosting solutions. In addition, the App Platform also enables the coders to include serverless elements with great ease. 

Scalable – Both Droplets and App Platform hosting solutions of DigitalOcean could be extended anytime through horizontal and vertical means. 

Load Balancers – It is quick to improve the functionality and safety of your Node.js app with load balancers. You can also include this property in your Kubernetes cluster using this hosting platform.

Pricing

With 1 vCPU, 10 GiB SSD, and 500 GiB transfer, the Basic Droplets plan charges $4/month. On the other hand, the Starter package of App Platform is entirely free, and its Basic plan costs you $5/month with shared CPU and vertical scaling.  

Keep reading to discover more Node.js server hosting platforms.

4. AWS

Although AWS provides numerous cloud computing and integrated services to the programming community, but it can also give powerful hosting services to NodeJS apps. Businesses can shortlist AWS products like Elastic Beanstalk and Lambda to administer and host their NodeJS apps.

Core Features

Deployment Options – The availability of versatile deployment options makes AWS unique, among other solutions. You can deploy your app through Visual Studio, Elastic Beanstalk CLI, and Eclipse.

Compliance – Similarly, if your app needs proper compliance, AWS is the best platform. It complies with PCI, SOC 1, 2, 3, and ISO standards. 

Easy to Customize & Scale – With AWS hosting solutions, developers can seamlessly customize their app and scale the resources within a few clicks. 

Pricing

If you have already paid for S3 buckets or EC2 instances, Amazon Web Services won’t charge you anything for Elastic Beanstalk hosting. With free-tier offers and basic pricing models, AWS also presents a pay-as-you-go policy. The use of an AWS calculator could also be ideal hereof. 

5. BlueHost

With automated security updates and 24/7 customer service, BlueHost is another big name in the hosting world. BlueHost hosts 2 million websites globally, and its Dedicated & VPS hosting solutions are considered perfect for Node.js applications. 

Core Features

Root Access – BlueHost grants root access to users. With this access, advanced users can easily modify or upload files on virtual servers by making file transfer protocol (FTP) accounts. Personalized installs are also possible with root access. 

Solid State Drives (SSD) – BlueHost uses solid state drives (SSD) for its VPS hosting solutions to keep the app activity lightning fast. 

RAID Storage – The use of RAID storage is surely beneficial to avoid data loss and perform I/O operations robustly. BlueHost uses this storage for its dedicated plans.  

Fast Speed & Provisioning – Rapid deployment speed and fast provisioning are also engaging properties of BlueHost. This NodeJS host only takes 24 to 72 hours to integrate the custom developments and servers with the network. 

Pricing

The Standard VPS plan begins with a price tag of $29.99/month (with a 25% discount) and lets the developers use 30 GB SSD storage, 2 cores, and 2 GB RAM. Correspondingly, $89.98 are monthly cost of the Standard Dedicated plan. 4 cores, 4 GB RAM, and a 2.3 GHz CPU are significant highlights of this dedicated plan. 

6. HostPapa

HostPapa is an award-winning hosting solution for small Node.js projects. Although the shared hosting programs of this Canadian company seem economical, but it is better to choose VPS solutions to host NodeJS applications. 

Core Features

Highly Extensible – It is effortless to increase your CPU, I/O operation, memory, or further resources anytime with HostPapa.

Multiple Servers – If your NodeJS project needs additional servers, you can gain and administer them through the dashboard. Fast provisioning is also a plus point in this regard.

Root Access & eCommerce Optimize – Root access indeed gives many benefits to dev teams, and luckily, you can obtain this feature with the premium service of HostPapa. Correspondingly, if you are building a NodeJS app for eCommerce purposes, you will find outclass architecture, security, and server support.

Pricing

With 60 GB SSD storage, 4 core CPUs, and 2 GB memory, Mercury is the primary VPS plan of HostPapa that costs €29.99. However, the basic shared hosting begins at €2.95/month. 

7. Glitch

If you are looking for a simple but fast hosting solution to deploy your small NodeJS application, consider Glitch. With complete control, bulk licensing, and robust provisioning, Glitch will help you in all domains of hosting. The major companies that have used Glitch for different tech stacks are Stripe, Google, and Etsy. 

Core Features

Easy Collaboration – It is straightforward to build and deploy apps on Glitch with the collaboration of DigitalOcean, Fastly, and WebXR. 

Best for Teams – Glitch is a team-friendly hosting solution with smooth debugging and deployment features. Especially if you need to conduct hassle-free experiments, you can choose Glitch.

Support – Outstanding customer and community support are also appealing features of Glitch. You can visit the Glitch Forum for queries and consult with experts through the help center.

Pricing

Fortunately, Glitch provides a free tier named ‘Starter.’ However, its Pro plan costs you $8/month if you pay annually. 

8. Kamatera

Businesses that are targeting audiences from the Middle East, America, Europe, or Asia through their NodeJS applications can choose Kamatera. With both VPS and cloud hosting offerings, Kamatera is also popular among users because of its cheap packages. 

Core Features

Instant Scaling – Automated scaling without asking for unused resources is the core benefit of using Kamatera. Though you can grab disk storage, RAM, or CPU power anytime but you don’t need to pay for unemployed instances. 

Guaranteed Uptime – You can use Kamatera hosting for NodeJS without any downtime worries. Yes, it ensures 99.95% uptime to client sites and applications. 

Easy Deployment – Users can seamlessly set up the servers without worrying about hardware maintenance while using Kamatera.

Pricing

Although the signup is free on Kamatera, but its basic VPS hosting plan costs you $4/month. Under this plan, you can access 20 GB SSD storage, 1024 MB RAM, and 1 vCPU.

9. FastComet

FastComet is one of the most credible NodeJS hosting providers, with 3000 servers and numerous data centers globally. Its SSD Cloud VPS and Fully Managed Dedicated hosting programs are considered the best fit for runtime environments like NodeJS. 

Core Features

SSD-Only Cloud – If you already use a non-SSD hosting platform, you will definitely feel the difference when you switch to FastComet. Its SSD-only cloud hosting solutions will give you a 300% fast experience while approaching datasets and files.

Satisfaction – Probably, you have read tons of positive reviews about FastComet. It is only because of the 100% satisfaction policy of this hosting provider. You can even get your money back within 7 days of service if you are unhappy with it. 

cPanel – You also get the powerful backing of cPanel with FastComet. This dashboard will permit you to manage your application quickly. 

Pricing

The preliminary plan of Cloud VPS Hosting asks $46.16/month from users. Similarly, the charges of Dedicated CPU hosting commence from $107.06/month. 

10. SiteGround

SiteGround is another NodeJS hosting provider on our list that claims to make your website 500% faster than rivals. This platform was designed in 2004. Now, it hosts more than 2.8 million websites around the globe. 

Core Features

Ultrafast Server Setup – Developers can robustly set up their servers when they use SiteGround. Probably, this hosting platform has the ability to load application pages 30% faster than other solutions. 

Fully Managed – The cloud products of SiteGround are fully managed. Yes, your cloud account would be entirely administered by the SiteGround team. So, you can just emphasize core competencies and operations. Indeed, the IT team of this hosting provider will take care of infrastructural resources and maintenance. 

CDN & Backup – Businesses don’t need to pay for CDN because it is free for all hosting plans of SiteGround. Furthermore, daily backup is another attractive feature of using this platform. It provides 7 offsite backup replicas to users. 

Pricing

With 8 GB memory, 5 TB transfer, 4 CPU cores, and 40 GB SSD space, the Jump Start plan of SiteGround costs you $100/month. The starting prices of its Business and Business Pro plans are $200/month and $300/month, respectively. 

Conclusion

This guide displays top NodeJS hosting providers with their pricing policies and core features. However, it is advised to pick a platform that fulfills your hosting needs without breaking the bank. Many of them also come with free tier options, so it is also good to test them without subscribing to the whole plan.

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