Guides

Where to host a Docker container

You have two practical options: a managed container platform or a virtual server.

A managed platform usually costs more, but it handles most server work. A virtual server usually costs less, but you maintain it.

The two Docker hosting paths

Docker hosting decision between a provider-operated container platform and a self-operated virtual server.
Both options run the same image. The real choice is how much server work you want to do.

Recommended hosts

Top match App platform

Render

≈$7/mo Starter

Move to Standard ($25, 1 CPU / 2 GB) if 512 MB gets tight; a managed database adds more.

Free option
Hobby workspace: $0 — static sites, free web services (0.1 CPU, 512 MB), a 30-day free Postgres, a 25 MB free key-value store, 5 GB bandwidth, 500 build minutes, 1 seat.
Why it fits
Apps and APIs that want git-push deploys with a fixed, understandable instance price.
How deploys work
Connect the Git repo; Render builds and deploys on push, with Docker support and instant rollbacks.
The tradeoff
The workspace-plus-services model means several line items, and bandwidth overage is pricey.

Option 2 App platform

Railway

≈$10/mo Hobby + usage

Roughly a quarter vCPU and 512 MB always on; a small database adds a few dollars.

Free option
Free: $1 of monthly usage credits, capped at 1 vCPU / 0.5 GB per service, one replica, and 3-day log history.
Why it fits
Full-stack apps and APIs where you want the app and its database running in minutes.
How deploys work
Connect a repo or image; Railway detects the build, deploys it, and adds databases with one click.
The tradeoff
Pure usage billing means the bill moves with your traffic — predictable only while the app is small.

Option 3 Serverless platform

Google Cloud Run

≈$10/mo Pay-as-you-go + 1 warm instance

One min-instance (1 vCPU, 512 MiB at the idle rate) is ~$10/month; request costs on top are usually small.

Free option
Always free: 2M requests, 180k vCPU-seconds, 360k GiB-seconds per month, plus a $300/90-day new-customer credit.
Why it fits
Container apps with spiky or low traffic that want scale-to-zero economics and can manage billing discipline.
How deploys work
Run `gcloud run deploy --source .` — buildpacks containerize the app, or push any Docker image; GitHub continuous deployment is built in.
The tradeoff
The best free tier and autoscaling here, attached to a billing system with no hard cap and real horror stories.

We rank providers by deployment ease first, then monthly cost. Commission payments don't affect the rank. If your project is different, answer four questions and get a specific recommendation.