HELPER VPS

Node.js VPS hosting: a server with LTS and npm ready

  • Node.js LTS and npm installed
  • Run Express, Next.js and bots right away
  • Root access and public IPv4 and IPv6

The HELPER VPS Node.js VPS is a Linux cloud server where Node.js LTS and npm are installed on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS when you choose Node.js from the image list at creation, billed every 1, 3, 6 or 12 months from $25.00 per month. Upload your code, run npm install and npm start, and your app is running.

    What is Node.js?

    Node.js is an open source (MIT license) runtime that runs JavaScript outside the browser. It runs on Google Chrome's V8 engine, and its event-driven, asynchronous I/O handles many connections at once with few resources, so it is widely used for web servers, APIs, real-time chat and bots. Because the front end and the server can use the same language, it helps small teams build fast.

    npm is the package manager that comes with Node.js and downloads libraries from the world's largest public package registry. LTS (long-term support) versions are stable releases that receive security fixes for a long time, which makes them right for running servers. A Node.js VPS starts with this LTS version and npm ready. TypeScript projects run as they are after building.

    What can I do with a Node.js VPS?

    Run server programs built with JavaScript and TypeScript by self-hosting Node.js.

    How do I start with a Node.js VPS?

    Create the server, upload your code and set it to run permanently. That is all.

    1. Step 1. Create server

      Choose a region and size and select Node.js from the image list. Node.js LTS and npm are installed on Ubuntu 24.04.

    2. Step 2. Upload your code

      Connect over SSH, fetch your code with git clone and install dependencies with npm install. Check versions with node -v and npm -v.

    3. Step 3. Keep it running

      Run your app under pm2 or a systemd service and it comes back up even after the server restarts. Put Nginx in front and connect your domain.

    Why self-host Node.js on your own VPS?

    Use a whole server without counting requests or run time as you would on an app platform.

    Tools often used with Node.js

    Software that works well alongside Node.js apps on the same server.

    Place your server close to your users

    Create Node.js servers at the same price anywhere in 40 cities across 31 countries.

    How do I publish a Node.js app with a domain and HTTPS?

    The standard way is to run the app on an internal port and put Nginx in front.

    A Node.js app usually runs on an internal port such as 3000. Install Nginx with sudo apt install nginx and forward requests arriving on ports 80 and 443 to the app with proxy_pass. If you use WebSocket, configure it to pass the Upgrade and Connection headers too. Point your domain's A record to the server IP and get a Let's Encrypt certificate with Certbot to add HTTPS.

    Two ways to keep an app running are common. Install pm2 with npm install -g pm2, then run pm2 start, pm2 startup and pm2 save, and your app comes back up even after the server restarts. Or create a systemd service file and let the operating system manage it directly. Check logs right away with pm2 logs or journalctl.

    How do I choose the size and version for a Node.js VPS?

    Choose by your app's memory use and build jobs.

    For bots and small APIs, g12 with 12 GB memory is plenty. Frameworks that build on the server, such as Next.js, use a lot of memory during builds, so g16 or n16 with 16 GB or more is more comfortable; for compute-heavy real-time services with many concurrent users, the dedicated CPU plan d8 keeps performance even.

    The installed version is Node.js LTS. If projects need different versions, install a version manager such as nvm to run them side by side, or run a container per version with Docker. When a new LTS version comes out, upgrade following the official guidance and check your npm packages too. npm audit finds and fixes packages with known vulnerabilities.

    Node.js hosting FAQ

    Common questions when choosing and installing a Node.js VPS.

    What is installed on a Node.js VPS?

    Node.js LTS and npm are installed on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS. When you log in, the node and npm commands are ready to use, and everything else is the same as a regular Ubuntu server.

    How much does Node.js VPS hosting cost?

    The Node.js app has no extra charge; you pay only the price of the server plan you choose. The smallest plan starts at $25.00 per month, and the same plan has the same price in every region.

    How do I buy a Node.js server?

    Choose a region and size, select Node.js as the image, and pay to create the server. You can choose a billing period of 1, 3, 6 or 12 months, with 10% off for 3 months, 15% off for 6 months and 25% off for 12 months.

    Can I use a different Node.js version?

    Yes. With root access, install the version you want with nvm and switch per project, or run a container per version with Docker.

    Can I use yarn or pnpm?

    Yes. Turn on yarn and pnpm with the corepack enable command included in Node.js, or install them with npm. Choose whichever package manager suits your project.

    Can I deploy a Next.js app?

    Yes. Run npm run build and then npm start on the server, and put Nginx in front. Builds use a lot of memory, so we recommend a plan with 16 GB or more.

    How do I keep my app from stopping?

    Run it under pm2 or a systemd service and the app restarts if it stops and comes back up automatically after a server reboot. Check logs easily with pm2 logs.

    Can I keep a database on the same server?

    Yes. Install PostgreSQL, MySQL or Redis with apt or run them with Docker on the same server. For safety, keep database ports closed to the outside and connect only within the server.

    How do I send email from my app?

    Connect a mail sending service that uses port 587 to a library such as Nodemailer. Outgoing port 25 is closed on every server, so using a sending service is the standard way.

    How do backups work?

    Choosing the automatic backup option at creation adds 5.6% of the plan price to the fee and backs up the whole server regularly. Rollbacks are requested on the support page once your first payment is confirmed, and it is good practice to keep your code in a git repository too.

    Can I manage servers with the API?

    Yes, the developer API (REST) lets you create servers, power them on and off and delete them. API keys open in an account once the first payment is confirmed.

    Node.js and npm are open source software owned by their projects; HELPER VPS only installs them when the server is created. Updates after installation, your app code and packages, and questions about using the software are yours to manage. The server price is the price of the plan you choose, and the Node.js app itself has no extra charge.

    Node.js server guides

    Good things to do first after you get your server.