Free Server Hosting Online For Dev

As a developer, finding affordable and reliable server hosting can be a challenge. This is especially true if you’re just starting out and don’t have a lot of capital to invest in hosting. Fortunately, there are a number of free server hosting options available online. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best free server hosting services available and what you need to know to get started.

What Is Free Server Hosting?

Free server hosting is a hosting option that allows you to host your website or application on a server without paying any fees. Although the hosting service is free, there may be limitations on the amount of storage and bandwidth you can use. Some free server hosting services may also display ads on your website.

Benefits Of Using Free Server Hosting

1. Cost-effective – As the name suggests, free server hosting is completely free. This is a great option for developers who are just starting out and don’t have a lot of money to invest in hosting.

2. Easy to set up – Setting up your website or application on a free server hosting service is usually very straightforward. Many services provide step-by-step instructions to help you get started.

3. Good for testing – If you’re not sure if your website or application will be successful, using a free server hosting service is a good way to test the waters without spending any money.

4. No long-term commitment – With free server hosting, there’s no long-term commitment. If you find that the service isn’t working for you, you can easily switch to a different provider.

5. Great for small projects – If you’re working on a small project that doesn’t require a lot of resources, free server hosting is a great option. You can host your website or application without having to pay for expensive hosting services.

Best Free Server Hosting Services

1. AWS Free Tier

Amazon Web Services offers a free tier that allows you to use some of their services for free for 12 months. This includes a free EC2 instance that you can use to host your website or application.

Limitations

The AWS free tier has some limitations that you need to be aware of. The free tier only includes a t2.micro instance, which has 1 GB of RAM and 30 GB of storage. You also only get 750 hours of usage per month.

2. Google Cloud Platform Free Tier

Google Cloud Platform also offers a free tier that allows you to use some of their services for free. This includes a free f1-micro instance that you can use to host your website or application.

Limitations

The Google Cloud Platform free tier has some limitations that you need to be aware of. The free tier only includes a f1-micro instance, which has 0.6 GB of RAM and 30 GB of storage. You also only get 600 MB of egress traffic per month.

3. Heroku Free Tier

Heroku is a platform as a service (PaaS) that allows you to deploy your application to their servers. They offer a free tier that allows you to host your application on their servers for free.

Limitations

The Heroku free tier has some limitations that you need to be aware of. The free tier only includes 512 MB of RAM and allows you to host one web dyno and one worker dyno. You also only get 550 hours of usage per month.

How To Set Up Free Server Hosting

Setting up free server hosting is usually very straightforward. Here are the basic steps:

1. Choose a free server hosting service

Choose a free server hosting service that matches your needs. AWS, Google Cloud Platform, and Heroku are all good options.

2. Create an account

Create an account with the free server hosting service. This usually involves providing some basic information about yourself and your website or application.

3. Choose a server configuration

Choose a server configuration that matches your needs. This usually involves choosing the amount of RAM, storage, and bandwidth that you need.

4. Install your website or application

Install your website or application on your server. This usually involves using an FTP client or SSH to transfer files to your server.

FAQ

What are the limitations of free server hosting?

The limitations of free server hosting vary depending on the service you choose. Most free hosting services have limits on the amount of storage, bandwidth, and RAM you can use.

Can I use free server hosting for commercial purposes?

Most free server hosting services do not allow you to use their services for commercial purposes. If you’re planning on using your website or application for commercial purposes, you should consider using a paid hosting service.

Is free server hosting reliable?

Free server hosting services are generally reliable, but they may not offer the same level of uptime as paid hosting services. You should also be aware that there may be limitations on the amount of bandwidth and storage you can use.

Can I upgrade to a paid hosting service later?

Yes, many free server hosting services offer paid hosting options that you can upgrade to if you need more resources.

Is free server hosting suitable for large projects?

No, free server hosting is not suitable for large projects that require a lot of resources. You should consider using a paid hosting service if you need more resources.

Conclusion

Free server hosting is a great option for developers who are just starting out or working on small projects. AWS, Google Cloud Platform, and Heroku are all good options for free server hosting. Keep in mind that there may be limitations on the amount of storage, bandwidth, and RAM you can use. If you need more resources, you should consider upgrading to a paid hosting service.