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Java Hosting
Without Shared Servers

Run modern Spring Boot and Java applications on a managed Docker platform. Includes PostgreSQL, Redis, and persistent volumes. No legacy Tomcat or cPanel.

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# docker-compose.yml
services:
  app:
    image: my-java-app
    environment:
      - SPRING_PROFILES_ACTIVE=prod
      - DATASOURCE_URL=${DATABASE_URL}
    deploy:
      resources:
        limits:
          memory: 1G
  db:
    image: postgres:16
    volumes:
      - db_data:/var/lib/postgresql/data
  • 🇪🇺 Hosted in Germany, GDPR by default
  • 🐳 Run Docker apps (Compose supported)
  • 🗄️ Built-in MySQL, Postgres, Redis & volumes
  • 🔐 HTTPS, metrics, and isolation per project
  • 💳 Per-project cost tracking · from €2.5/month

What "Java hosting" means today

Gone are the days of deploying WAR files to a shared Tomcat or JBoss server. Modern Java development, led by Spring Boot and Quarkus, has shifted to self-contained, executable JARs wrapped in Docker containers.

Executable JARs vs. Application Servers

Modern frameworks embed the web server (Tomcat, Jetty, Undertow) directly into the application. This means you don't need a hosting provider to manage the server version for you; you control the entire runtime.

The JVM in a Container

Running Java in Docker ensures consistency. You choose the exact JDK version (e.g., OpenJDK 17, 21) and distribution (Temurin, Corretto). No more "it works on my machine" issues caused by mismatched Java versions on a shared host.

How Java apps are typically hosted

Production Java setups now follow cloud-native best practices:

  • Containers: The app runs in a Docker container, often using a lightweight base image like eclipse-temurin:17-jre-alpine.
  • JVM Tuning: Memory limits are strictly defined to prevent the JVM from consuming all available host RAM.
  • Database Separation: The database (PostgreSQL, MySQL) runs as a separate service, not embedded or on the same filesystem.
  • Configuration: Secrets and config are injected via environment variables (e.g., application.properties overrides).

Java hosting on Hostim.dev

A managed platform built for containerized Java applications.

Docker or Git Deploy

Push your code (with a Dockerfile) or a pre-built image. We handle the deployment and restart logic.

Built-in Databases

Spin up managed PostgreSQL, MySQL, or Redis instances alongside your app with a single click.

Persistent Volumes

Need to store uploaded files? Mount a persistent volume to your container.

EU Hosting

Hosted in Germany (Falkenstein) for low latency and GDPR compliance.

Is there free Java hosting?

Finding good free hosting for Java is notoriously difficult due to the JVM's memory requirements.

The Memory Problem: Even a simple Spring Boot app can require 300MB+ of RAM at startup. Most free tiers offer 512MB or less, leading to frequent OutOfMemoryError crashes or extremely slow performance.

Hostim.dev offers a preview tier for testing, but we focus on reliable, paid production hosting that gives your JVM the resources it needs to run smoothly.

Java web hosting vs. App hosting

Shared Web Hosting (Legacy): Often based on cPanel with Tomcat support. You upload a WAR file. These environments are restrictive, often running outdated Java versions, and don't support modern Spring Boot executable JARs well.

App Hosting (PaaS): Designed for Docker and modern apps. You define your services, memory limits, and dependencies. This is the standard for modern Java development and what Hostim.dev provides.

Is Hostim.dev a good fit?

Who it is for

  • Developers using Spring Boot, Quarkus, or Micronaut.
  • Teams deploying via Docker containers.
  • Projects needing EU-based hosting and GDPR compliance.
  • Applications requiring managed databases (Postgres/MySQL).

Who it is not for

  • Legacy applications requiring a specific Tomcat/JBoss version managed by the host.
  • Users looking for free shared hosting for learning (resources may be too limited).
  • "Drag and drop" deployments without any build process.

How to host a Java app

The practical workflow on a container-based platform.

  • Create a project: A project is an isolated environment for your Java application and its services.
  • Add managed services: Create a PostgreSQL or MySQL database if your application requires persistence.
  • Build your application: Compile your app into a runnable artifact, typically an executable JAR (for example, using ./mvnw package or./gradlew build).
  • Prepare your container: Create aDockerfile that copies the JAR into a Java runtime image (such as Eclipse Temurin) and defines the entrypoint.
  • Create the app: Create an app from the Docker image or connect a Git repository that contains the Dockerfile. Hostim builds the image if needed.
  • Configure environment variables: Define runtime settings and database credentials in the dashboard. Framework-specific options (for example Spring profiles) are configured the same way.
  • 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?

Run your Java application on a modern platform.

Deploy your Java app

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.