Best Free Node.js Hosting Providers in 2025 (No Credit Card Needed)
If you’re a developer looking to deploy your Node.js app without breaking the bank, you’re in luck. In 2025, there are several free Node.js hosting platforms that offer generous resources, no upfront cost, and zero credit card requirements.
Whether you’re testing an app, building a portfolio, or launching a hobby project, this guide will walk you through the best free Node.js hosting providers, what they offer, and how to choose the right one.
🚀 Why Choose Free Node.js Hosting?
There are many reasons developers opt for free hosting:
- 💸 Cost-effective: Great for beginners or side projects.
- 🧪 Testing environments: Easily deploy prototypes or demos.
- 🧠 Learning: Perfect for students and devs trying new tech stacks.
However, most free tiers come with limitations (like memory caps or sleeping apps), so it’s important to choose one that aligns with your needs.
🏆 1. Render (Free Tier)
Website: https://render.com
Why It’s Great:
Render is a rising star in the hosting world, offering free Node.js deployment with an intuitive Git-based workflow.
Free Tier Features:
- 512 MB RAM, 0.1 CPU
- Auto-deploy from GitHub/GitLab
- HTTPS, custom domains, and background workers
- App sleeps after 15 minutes of inactivity
Best For:
Portfolio apps, student projects, quick API demos
🏆 2. Railway
Website: https://railway.app
Railway offers a slick developer experience with seamless deployments, database integrations, and a simple CLI.
Free Tier Features:
- $5 of monthly usage (plenty for small apps)
- Postgres/Mongo integration
- GitHub deployment
- One-click rollbacks
Pros:
- Developer-friendly UI
- Real-time logs and metrics
Best For:
Backend APIs, full-stack apps, prototypes
🏆 3. Vercel
Website: https://vercel.com
Although known for frontend hosting (Next.js), Vercel supports Node.js serverless functions, making it a great lightweight option.
Free Tier Features:
- Up to 100 serverless function executions/day
- Git-based auto deploy
- Custom domains + SSL
Limitations:
- Functions have timeouts
- Not suitable for long-running processes
Best For:
Jamstack projects, APIs, serverless microservices
🏆 4. Cyclic.sh
Website: https://www.cyclic.sh
Cyclic offers a truly free, always-on experience with no sleep limits—something most free hosts don’t offer.
Free Tier Features:
- Unlimited requests
- No app sleeping
- GitHub integration
- 512 MB RAM, 1 vCPU
Pros:
- Blazing fast deploys
- Perfect for public APIs
Best For:
Demo projects, production-ready lightweight apps
🏆 5. Glitch
Website: https://glitch.com
Glitch is a unique, browser-based platform that allows real-time editing and collaborative Node.js coding.
Free Tier Features:
- Instant deploy
- 512 MB RAM
- Great for learning and prototyping
Limitations:
- Apps “sleep” after 5 minutes
- Not suitable for production use
Best For:
Beginners, classroom projects, experiments
⚖️ Quick Comparison Table
| Provider | Free RAM | App Sleep | Git Deploy | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Render | 512 MB | Yes | ✅ | APIs, portfolios |
| Railway | ~500 MB | Yes | ✅ | Full-stack & backends |
| Vercel | N/A (serverless) | N/A | ✅ | Serverless functions |
| Cyclic | 512 MB | ❌ | ✅ | Lightweight live APIs |
| Glitch | 512 MB | Yes | ✅ | Learning, real-time edits |
✅ How to Choose the Right Free Node.js Hosting?
Ask yourself the following:
- Will your app run 24/7?
→ Use Cyclic (no sleep) or Railway (budget-based). - Are you building a static frontend with dynamic backend?
→ Use Vercel for serverless or Render. - Are you a beginner learning Node.js?
→ Use Glitch for its simple interface. - Need staging environments or CI/CD?
→ Use Render or Railway with GitHub integrations.
🧠 Final Thoughts
Free Node.js hosting platforms in 2025 are more powerful than ever. Whether you’re an indie hacker, a student, or a developer testing new ideas, these platforms give you the tools to build, deploy, and scale for $0.
Don’t let budget hold you back—pick a platform from this list and get your Node.js app live today!
