Docker or Git Deploy
Push your code or a pre-built Docker image. We handle the build and deployment process automatically.
What "Express hosting" means today
Express.js is the de facto standard server framework for Node.js. Hosting it requires a platform that understands long-running processes, not just static files or ephemeral functions.
Long-running processes vs. Serverless
While you can wrap Express in serverless functions (like Vercel or AWS Lambda), it was designed as a long-running server. Keeping the process alive allows for connection pooling, in-memory caching, and WebSockets—features that often break or become expensive in serverless environments.
Why Express apps need app hosting
A typical Express application is the backbone of your API or web app. It needs to connect to databases, handle sessions, and process background jobs. Shared hosting or static site hosts simply cannot support these architectural patterns effectively. You need a platform that runs containers.
How Express apps are typically hosted
Modern Express deployment has converged on a standard set of practices:
- Containers: Wrapping the app in Docker ensures consistent behavior across dev and prod, handling Node versions and native dependencies.
- App + Database Separation: The Express process is stateless. Data lives in a dedicated database service (PostgreSQL, MongoDB) connected via network.
- Environment Variables: Configuration (API keys, DB credentials) is injected via
process.env, keeping secrets out of the codebase. - Reverse Proxy: In production, Express often sits behind a reverse proxy (like Nginx or Traefik) that handles SSL and load balancing. Hostim handles this for you.
Express hosting on Hostim.dev
We provide a managed platform that maps directly to the standard Express architecture.
Built-in Databases
Spin up managed PostgreSQL, MySQL, or Redis instances alongside your app with a single click or line in your compose file.
Persistent Volumes
Mount volumes for your uploads or local database files. Data persists across deployments and restarts.
EU Hosting
All data and workloads are hosted in Germany (Falkenstein), ensuring low latency for European users and GDPR compliance.
Is there free Express hosting?
"Free" hosting usually comes with significant caveats. Providers offering free tiers often:
- Sleep or spin down your app after inactivity (causing slow "cold starts" for your API).
- Limit CPU and RAM so severely that even
npm installcrashes. - Restrict database connections or storage space.
Free tiers are excellent for learning and prototypes but often break for real-world applications requiring reliability. Hostim.dev offers a preview tier for testing, but our focus is on reliable, paid production hosting with predictable pricing.
Express web hosting vs. App hosting
You might see terms like "web hosting" and "app hosting" used interchangeably, but they refer to different paradigms.
Traditional Web Hosting (Shared): Designed for PHP/WordPress. Often lacks Node.js support entirely, or provides very old versions without the ability to run custom start commands.
App Hosting (PaaS): Designed for modern applications. Provides the necessary environment for containers, build processes, and service orchestration. This is what Hostim.dev provides.
Is Hostim.dev a good fit?
Who it is for
- Developers who want to deploy standard Express projects using Docker.
- Teams needing EU-based hosting for GDPR compliance.
- Projects requiring a simple, flat pricing model without calculator spreadsheets.
- Applications that need persistent storage and managed databases.
Who it is not for
- Users looking for "serverless" functions or edge-only hosting.
- Static sites that don't need a backend (use Vercel/Netlify for that).
- Developers who want to manually manage OS updates and security patches on a VPS.
How to host an Express app
The practical workflow on a container-based platform.
- Create a project: A project groups your Express app, databases, and storage in an isolated environment.
- Add managed services: Create a PostgreSQL, MySQL, or Redis service if your app requires persistence or caching.
- Prepare your container: Package your app in a Docker image that installs dependencies and starts your server (e.g.,
node index.jsornpm start). You can also connect a Git repository with aDockerfile. - Create the app: Create an app from the image or repo, then attach the database and any volumes it needs.
- Configure environment variables: Define values like
NODE_ENV,PORT, and database connection strings in the dashboard. - Deploy and update: Hostim starts the container and keeps it running. Updates are done by redeploying or rebuilding the app, either manually or via CI.
Ready to deploy?
Get your Express application running in minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the free tier include?
You can create free MySQL, PostgreSQL, Redis databases, and persistent volumes. App containers start at €2.5/month. Each user gets one 5-day trial project with everything included – apps, DBs, volumes, metrics.
Can I deploy with just a Compose file?
Yes. Paste your Docker Compose YAML and we'll generate the services automatically. You can also deploy from a Dockerfile or Git repository (repo should have Dockerfile so our system can build the image).
Where is my app hosted?
On bare-metal servers located in Germany. We do not use AWS, GCP, or other large cloud providers – your data stays in the EU.
Do I need to know Kubernetes?
No. Hostim.dev removes Kubernetes complexity. You manage apps, databases, and resources – not clusters or YAML.
Is this for solo devs or teams?
Right now, each account manages projects individually. Multi-user roles and team collaboration are planned – we're actively listening to early users to shape this.