Hey everyone! I just finished a project for my portfolio. The frontend is in React and I’m planning to deploy it on Netlify. But I’m stuck on where to host my Express and MongoDB backend for free.
I’ve noticed that many services are starting to charge even for hobby-level projects. Does anyone know of any good free options for hosting a Node.js backend with a MongoDB database? I’m trying to keep costs down while showcasing my work.
Any suggestions or experiences with free backend hosting would be super helpful. Thanks in advance for your advice!
ooh, have u looked into heroku? they used to be awesome for free hosting, but i heard they changed some stuff. maybe glitch could work? it’s pretty cool for small projects. what about ur database size? that might affect ur options. anyone else tried these lately?
hey, you might wanna try render’s free tier for express. mongodb atlas offers a free sandbox too. i’ve ran with this combo for my projects with chill results. just keep an eye on limits, should work for a portfolio.
For your Express and MongoDB backend, I’d recommend considering Railway. It offers a generous free tier that’s suitable for hobby projects and portfolio sites. You get 500 hours of runtime per month, which is ample for most small-scale applications. The platform supports Node.js out of the box and integrates seamlessly with MongoDB.
Another option worth exploring is DigitalOcean App Platform. While not entirely free, they provide a $100 credit for new users, which can last quite a while for a small project. Their setup process is straightforward, and you can easily deploy both your Express server and MongoDB instance.
Remember to monitor your usage carefully with any free tier to avoid unexpected charges. These options should provide a solid foundation for showcasing your work without incurring costs.