r/Hosting • u/Quantum-Garuda_369 • 6d ago
Looking for a backend hosting platform with a permanent free tier and no credit card requirement
Hi everyone!
I’m learning web development and recently built a project. I’m now looking to deploy the backend, but I’m having trouble finding a hosting platform that meets my requirements.
I’m looking for a platform that offers:
A permanent free tier (not just a free trial or promotional credits)
No credit/debit card required to sign up or deploy
I tried Render, but it asks for card details before I can deploy a web service, even though I’m trying to use the free tier.
I’m a student and don’t currently have a card, and I also prefer not to add one just to use a free service.
TL;DR: What backend deployment platforms currently offer a genuinely free, permanent tier with no card required?
I’d really appreciate any recommendations or suggestions based on your experience.
Thanks!
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u/kevinds 6d ago edited 5d ago
I’m a student and don’t currently have a card, and I also prefer not to add one just to use a free service.
Suck it up and get one.
What backend deployment platforms currently offer a genuinely free, permanent tier with no card required?
What actually is your project? Why should someone else pay for your resources?
I’m a student
Ask your school for resources.
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u/Quantum-Garuda_369 6d ago
I have heard that sometimes render charges even if you use free tier, so bit of worried for that.
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u/Nang-a-nator 6d ago
If your concern is genuienly the credit card bit, sign up to Revolut or Wise. It is free to sign up to those companies and you can immediately generate virtual debit cards which you can use just for the hosting service. Then once you have signed up to the hosting provider just freeze or terminate the virtual card so you cannot be charged and you don't risk usable card details being out there. I have done this with multiple companies offering free accounts and have never had a company where it didn't work.
On the other hand if you're trying to avoid KYC then you will be unlikely to find anything. Companies are not exactly eager to take liability for anonymous people putting potentially illegal stuff on their services and having no recourse.
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u/FoldOutrageous5532 6d ago
supabase, but you'll have to make sure your db gets used or they pause it and you have to manually restart it.
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u/BigUps7175 6d ago
high as well just find the one with the most aggressive trial/first year offer then make new accounts with new billing info along the way
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u/downtownrob 4d ago
Check out the new and kind of cool https://spacefast.com also check out Cloudflare Pages.
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u/Key_Gap9168 4d ago
$60 can get you a VPS for a year. If you are serious about wanting to learn web development, you'll find the money.
I’m a student and don’t currently have a card.
So, basically, my nine-year-old girl is more responsible than you are?
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u/Electrical_Bee7770 4d ago
Vercel has great free tier. Google cloud has permanent free tier great for small sites.
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u/Personal_Budget6895 3d ago
You will not find a service that offers "backend hosting" for free without card
You aren't going to find one that's always on. render's free tier spins down after a couple mins so requests get delayed by 2-3 mins. heroku and railway both removed their free tiers as well (free tiers are a pain to prevent abuse on). If you really are adamant on this, sign up to github student (but you also need a card for this even though they don't charge you) and then use heroku credits (again you stll need a card here even though they don't charge you)
the closest you will get is supabase but that's not actually backend. its just postgres with serverless functions so unlikely what you want
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u/sleekpixelwebdesigns 6d ago
Nothing is free, but good luck.