Docker or Git Deploy
Push your code or a pre-built Docker image. We handle the build and deployment process automatically.
What "Go hosting" means today
Go applications are famous for compiling down to a single, static binary. This makes them incredibly easy to distribute but also changes how they should be hosted compared to interpreted languages like PHP or Python.
The Power of Static Binaries
Unlike Node.js or Python, a Go app doesn't need a heavy runtime environment on the server. You can build your app into a "scratch" Docker container that contains nothing but your binary, resulting in images that are just a few megabytes in size.
Why Docker is the perfect match
While you can just SCP a binary to a server, Docker provides a reproducible build environment. It ensures that your app runs exactly the same way in production as it does on your machine, regardless of the underlying Linux distribution.
How Go apps are typically hosted
Modern Go deployment leverages the language's strengths through containerization:
- Multi-Stage Builds: You compile your code in a
golangcontainer, then copy only the binary to a lightweightalpineorscratchimage for production. - App + Database Separation: Your Go binary is stateless. Data lives in a dedicated database service (PostgreSQL, MySQL) connected via TCP.
- Environment Variables: Configuration (DB credentials, API keys) is injected at runtime via
os.Getenv(), keeping your binary generic and secure. - Zero Dependencies: Because everything is linked into the binary, you don't have to worry about system library versions or "dependency hell" on the host.
Go hosting on Hostim.dev
We provide a managed platform that maps directly to the standard Go 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 Go hosting?
"Free" hosting usually comes with significant caveats. Providers offering free tiers often:
- Sleep or spin down your app after inactivity. While Go starts fast, the database connection pool often needs time to warm up.
- Limit CPU and RAM. Go is efficient, but a constrained environment can lead to OOM kills during garbage collection spikes.
- Lack persistent storage, meaning any files written to disk disappear on restart.
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.
Go 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. Almost never supports running custom Go binaries or listening on arbitrary ports. Not an option for Go.
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 Go 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 (though Go runs well there, we focus on long-running services).
- Static sites that don't need a backend.
- Developers who want to manually manage OS updates and security patches on a VPS.
How to host a Go app
The practical workflow on a container-based platform.
- Create a project: A project groups your Go app, databases, and storage in an isolated environment.
- Add managed services: Create a PostgreSQL or MySQL database if your app needs persistence. Many Go services run without volumes unless file storage is required.
- Prepare your container: Build your Go app into a single binary using a multi-stage
Dockerfile, then copy it into a minimal runtime image. - Create the app: Create an app from the Docker image or connect a Git repository with a
Dockerfile. Hostim builds the image if needed. - Configure environment variables: Set values like
PORT, database connection strings, and feature flags 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 Go 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.