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Next.js Hosting
Done Right

Deploy your Next.js applications to a managed Docker platform. Run your app as a standard Node.js container with full control. No serverless cold starts.

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# docker-compose.yml
services:
  web:
    image: my-next-app
    environment:
      - NODE_ENV=production
      - DATABASE_URL=${DATABASE_URL}
  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 "Next.js hosting" means today

Next.js is often associated with Vercel and serverless deployment. However, Next.js is also a powerful Node.js framework that can run as a standard long-running process in a Docker container.

Serverless vs. Containerized

Serverless platforms split your app into tiny functions. This is great for scaling to zero, but can introduce "cold starts" and limits on execution time. Containerized hosting runs your Next.js app as a single, always-on server. This is ideal for consistent performance, WebSockets, and background tasks.

The "Standalone" Output

Next.js includes a feature specifically for Docker hosting: output: 'standalone'. This automatically traces dependencies and creates a minimal build folder that includes only what is necessary to run your app, drastically reducing Docker image sizes.

How Next.js apps are typically hosted

When hosting Next.js outside of Vercel, the architecture is standard and robust:

  • Docker Container: The app runs in a container using the node server.js command generated by the standalone build.
  • Database Separation: The app connects to a managed PostgreSQL or MySQL database service.
  • Environment Variables: Secrets and public variables (NEXT_PUBLIC_...) are injected at runtime or build time.
  • Persistent Storage: If your app handles user uploads (e.g. to /public/uploads), you mount a volume to persist these files.

Next.js hosting on Hostim.dev

We provide a managed platform that maps directly to the standard Docker architecture.

Docker or Git Deploy

Push your code or a pre-built Docker image. We handle the build and deployment process automatically.

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 Next.js hosting?

Vercel and Netlify offer generous free tiers, which are excellent for hobby projects and static sites. However, they come with limits:

  • Cold Starts: Serverless functions can take seconds to wake up.
  • Vendor Lock-in: Relying on platform-specific features (like Vercel KV or Edge Config) makes it hard to migrate later.
  • Bandwidth Limits: High traffic can lead to unexpected bills or throttling.

Hostim.dev offers a preview tier for testing, but our focus is on reliable, paid production hosting with predictable pricing for businesses that want full control.

Next.js web hosting vs. App hosting

Web Hosting (Static/Serverless): Best for content-heavy sites, blogs, and marketing pages. Vercel excels here.

App Hosting (Containerized): Best for complex web applications, SaaS platforms, and internal tools. This is where you need a long-running Node.js process, custom background workers, or direct database connections. This is what Hostim.dev provides.

Is Hostim.dev a good fit?

Who it is for

  • Developers who want to deploy Next.js using Docker (output: 'standalone').
  • Teams needing EU-based hosting for GDPR compliance.
  • Projects requiring a simple, flat pricing model.
  • Applications that need persistent storage and managed databases.

Who it is not for

  • Users who want "zero-config" serverless deployment (use Vercel).
  • Purely static sites that don't need a backend.
  • Developers who heavily rely on Vercel-specific proprietary features.

How to host a Next.js app

The practical workflow on a container-based platform.

  • Create a project: A project groups your Next.js 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: Configure output: 'standalone' in next.config.js. Create a Dockerfile that copies the standalone folder and starts the server with node server.js.
  • Create the app: Create an app from your Docker image or Git repo, then attach the database and any volumes it needs.
  • Configure environment variables: Define values likeNODE_ENV, NEXT_PUBLIC_API_URL, 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.

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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.