As an experienced tech writer and programmer, I understand the need for cost-effective solutions when deploying Ruby on Rails applications.

Fortunately, there are several platforms where you can host your Rails apps for free.

In this post, I’ll guide you through the best options, explain how to set them up in simple terms, and provide links to the official guides for detailed steps.

Free Hosting Options for Rails Apps

Here are some of the popular platforms you can use to host your Ruby on Rails apps for free.

1. Heroku

Heroku is one of the most popular platforms for hosting Rails apps, especially for beginners. It provides a free tier that is perfect for small apps or learning purposes.

  • Easy to Use: Simple commands make deployment quick and easy.
  • Free Tier: Offers a free tier that includes a limited number of dynos (the containers where your app runs).
  • Integrated Tools: Comes with built-in tools for managing databases, scaling, and monitoring your app's performance.

Steps to Deploy on Heroku:

  1. Sign Up: Create an account on Heroku.
  2. Install Heroku CLI: Download and install the Heroku Command Line Interface (CLI) to manage your apps.
  3. Prepare Your App: Make sure your Rails app is set up as a Git repository.
  4. Deploy: Run these commands in your terminal:
    • heroku create - This creates a new app on Heroku.
    • git push heroku main - Pushes your app to Heroku for deployment.

For more detailed steps, refer to the official Heroku guide: Getting Started with Rails 7 on Heroku.

Heroku is perfect for newcomers due to its user-friendly interface and extensive documentation. However, the free tier has some limitations, like sleeping apps and limited storage, which might not be suitable for larger projects.

2. Render

Render is a cloud platform that provides an easy way to deploy Rails apps with a more generous free tier than Heroku.

  • More Resources: The free plan provides more resources than Heroku.
  • Simple Interface: The platform is easy to use and set up.
  • Custom Domains: Allows you to use custom domains even with the free plan.

Steps to Deploy on Render:

  1. Sign Up: Create an account on Render.
  2. Connect Your Repository: Link your GitHub or GitLab repository to Render.
  3. Select Your Rails App: Choose your Rails app from your repository.
  4. Configure and Deploy: Set up the environment variables and build commands, then click Deploy.

For more detailed instructions, check the official Render guide: Deploy Rails on Render.

Render offers more free resources, making it a good choice for projects that need a bit more power. However, it has a steeper learning curve than Heroku, especially for those unfamiliar with its interface.

3. Vercel

Vercel is a platform mainly known for hosting front-end frameworks but also supports backend applications, including Ruby on Rails, using serverless functions.

  • Serverless Functions: Allows you to run parts of your app as serverless functions, which can be more efficient.
  • Git Integration: Vercel integrates well with GitHub, making deployments straightforward.
  • Fast Deployments: Known for quick deployment speeds.

Steps to Deploy on Vercel:

  1. Sign Up: Create an account on Vercel.
  2. Import Project: Connect your GitHub repository and select your Rails project.
  3. Configure Settings: Adjust the build and environment settings based on your app requirements.
  4. Deploy: Click Deploy, and Vercel will handle the rest.

For more detailed steps, refer to Vercel's guide: Does Vercel Support Ruby on Rails Applications?.

Vercel is great if you need to host both a front-end and a back-end. However, for Rails apps that rely heavily on database operations, it might not be the best choice due to the limitations of serverless architecture.

Make API Calls in Ruby on Rails

4. GitHub Pages

GitHub Pages is primarily used for hosting static websites, but it can also host the static front end of a Rails app. However, it does not support the dynamic features of Rails directly.

  • Static Hosting: Ideal for hosting the static parts of your app.
  • Free for Public Repositories: No cost if your repository is public.
  • Easy Setup: Simple to set up for those already using GitHub.

Steps to Deploy on GitHub Pages:

  1. Push to GitHub: Ensure your Rails app’s front-end files are in a GitHub repository.
  2. Enable GitHub Pages: Go to your repository settings and enable GitHub Pages.
  3. Select Branch and Folder: Choose the branch and folder where your static files are stored to deploy.

GitHub Pages is perfect for hosting the static front end of your Rails app. For full-stack apps, consider using it alongside another service like Heroku or Render.

Hosting your Rails app for free is a great way to get started without spending money. Platforms like Heroku, Render, Vercel, and GitHub Pages offer various free tier options to help you learn and experiment.

Based on my experience, each platform has its pros and cons, so choose the one that aligns best with your app's requirements.

Remember to check out the official guides from each provider to understand their free hosting features and specific deployment steps:

Choose a platform, deploy your Rails app, build portfolio and start learning today also if you've any question in mind, ask it in comments section. We'd love to answer. 😊

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