Exploring the Best Nodester Alternatives for Your Node.JS Deployments
Nodester, an open-source Node.JS hosting platform, offered a free way to deploy Node.JS applications, either on its own service or to your cloud instance on platforms like Amazon EC2, Rackspace, or GoGrid. Built on an open API, Nodester provided a robust solution for developers. However, as the ecosystem of cloud platforms evolves, many are seeking powerful Nodester alternative solutions that offer more features, scalability, or different pricing models. Whether you're looking for a platform as a service (PaaS), an infrastructure as a service (IaaS), or a more specialized hosting solution, there are many excellent options available.
Top Nodester Alternatives
If you're ready to move beyond Nodester or simply explore other robust hosting and deployment environments for your Node.JS applications, consider these top contenders that offer a variety of features, pricing structures, and community support.

Heroku
Heroku is a leading platform as a service (PaaS) that empowers developers to build, run, and operate applications entirely in the cloud. Available on Freemium, Mac, Windows, Linux, and Web, it's a strong Nodester alternative for its ease of use and features like Custom DNS, DNS management, automated deployment, and command-line support, with support for Python and VPS.

OpenShift
OpenShift, Red Hat's free, auto-scaling Platform as a Service (PaaS), is an excellent open-source Nodester alternative for applications, available on Freemium, Linux, and Web. As an application platform in the cloud, OpenShift manages the stack, allowing you to focus on development, offering features like container monitoring and web development tools.

Google App Engine
Google App Engine is a free* platform for developing and hosting web applications in Google-managed data centers, making it a powerful Nodester alternative for those invested in the Google ecosystem. Available on Freemium and Web, it offers fast development and deployment, with features like API support, import from MySQL, PHP IDE, and crucial support for NodeJS.

Microsoft Azure
Microsoft Azure, including SQL Azure, enables you to build, host, and scale applications in Microsoft datacenters. As a commercial platform available on Web, Android, and Android Tablet, it's a comprehensive Nodester alternative offering features such as Auto Virtual Host, Cloud Storage, CDN, Virtual Machines, and web hosting, catering to a wide range of enterprise needs.

HelioHost
HelioHost offers community-powered free hosting for everyone, making it an excellent free Nodester alternative. Available on Web, it supports Python, PHP, Ruby, and provides comprehensive web hosting with features like Django, Java IDE, JSP support, PHP IDE, PHP Pear support, and PhpMyAdmin, all backed by a vibrant community.

Cloud Foundry
Cloud Foundry is an open-source PaaS for Java, Ruby, Python, and Node.js, presenting itself as a robust open-source Nodester alternative. Available for free on Web, it includes features such as PHP IDE, MongoDB support, and general support for Python and Ruby applications, ideal for developers seeking flexibility and community involvement.

Cloudify
Cloudify is an orchestration-first, model-driven cloud management platform native to Network Function Virtualization (NFV). It's open source and based on TOSCA, providing a comprehensive Nodester alternative for complex deployments. Available for free on Mac, Windows, Linux, and Web, its features include cloud-based capabilities, continuous deployment, MongoDB, multi-tenant support, network monitoring, Nginx, Python, and Ruby.

dediserve
dediserve focuses solely on cloud-based Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), making it a strong Nodester alternative for those requiring dedicated resources and high levels of support. As a commercial platform available on Web, it offers key features like VPS and virtualization, alongside reliable web hosting services.

Cloud 66
Cloud 66 provides DevOps as a service for Rails and Container (Docker & Kubernetes) applications that can be deployed on any cloud provider or any server. As a commercial Nodester alternative available on Web, it offers robust features including cloud monitoring, continuous deployment, continuous integration, support for Docker, Kubernetes, and Ruby, making it ideal for modern CI/CD pipelines.

AppFog
AppFog offers a simple PaaS for Java, Node, .Net, Ruby, PHP, MySQL, Mongo, PostgreSQL, and more, serving as a versatile Nodester alternative. Available on Freemium and Web, it grants users the freedom to move between IaaS at will, boasting easy pricing in the cloud and reliable web hosting capabilities.
Choosing the best Nodester alternative depends on your specific needs, budget, and technical requirements. From free open-source solutions to commercial enterprise-grade platforms, each option provides unique benefits for deploying and managing your Node.JS applications. Explore these alternatives to find the perfect fit for your next project.