Are you looking for free backend and database hosting in 2025? You’re in the right place! In today’s fast-moving world of web development, you don’t need to spend a fortune to get your projects up and running. Free hosting platforms let you build, test, and launch applications without pulling out your wallet. Whether you’re a student tinkering with a side project, a startup watching every penny, or a developer experimenting with new ideas, these options can save the day.
So, what’s backend and database hosting all about? Backend hosting is where the magic happens behind the scenes—think of it as the engine powering your app, handling tasks like processing data and managing logic. Database hosting, meanwhile, takes care of storing and organizing your info so you can grab it whenever you need it. Together, they team up to make your apps work smoothly.
In this article, we’re diving into 12 free backend and database hosting platforms in 2025 that you can start using today. We’ve split them into three easy-to-follow groups: Backend-as-a-Service (BaaS), Database Hosting, and Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS). You’ll find out what each one offers, how their free plans hold up, and why they might fit your next big idea.
Stick around as we break it all down for you. You’ll get the scoop on platforms that handle everything for you, ones that store your data like champs, and others that let you deploy your code with ease. By the end, you’ll know exactly which free hosting option can kickstart your project without costing you a dime. Ready to jump in? Let’s get started!
Backend-as-a-Service Platforms
When you want someone else to handle the heavy lifting of your app’s backend, Backend-as-a-Service (BaaS) platforms step up. These services take care of databases, user logins, and even real-time updates, so you can focus on making your app look great and work well. Let’s check out three top BaaS platforms offering free tiers in 2025.
Back4app
Back4app is a fantastic choice if you want to whip up a backend fast. It’s a backend-as-a-service platform that gives you a free plan with 1 GB of database storage, 10,000 monthly requests, and 250 MB for files. You don’t need to mess with servers—Back4app hands you a simple dashboard to set everything up.
What makes Back4app shine? It supports GraphQL and REST APIs, so you can connect your app however you like. Plus, it scales up automatically when more people use your app—no stress for you! The free tier works great for small projects, but watch out: if you go over the request or storage limits, you’ll need to upgrade.
You can use Back4app for all sorts of things, like building a quick app prototype or running a small online tool. It’s perfect if you’re just starting out and want to skip the complicated stuff.
Firebase
Firebase, backed by Google, is a big name in the BaaS game. Its free tier, called the Spark Plan, hooks you up with 1 GB of database storage, 10 GB of hosting, and 20,000 daily cloud function calls. Developers love it for mobile apps because it plays nicely with Android and iOS.
One cool trick Firebase pulls off is its real-time database. Imagine your app updating instantly—like a chat room where messages pop up right away. That’s what you get here! Just keep an eye on the limits, like how many people can connect at once or how much data you send, so you don’t hit a wall.
If you’re building something interactive, Firebase can really step up your game. It’s got tools for logins, hosting, and more, all wrapped in a free package that’s tough to beat.
Supabase
Supabase is the open-source and best alternative to Firebase. It dishes out a free tier with a PostgreSQL database (500 MB storage), unlimited API requests, and 1 GB for files. You get a solid relational database plus real-time features—pretty sweet, right?
What sets Supabase apart is its open-source vibe. You can even host it yourself if you want total control. The free plan includes authentication and serverless functions, all manageable through a user-friendly dashboard. It’s a great pick for projects needing a traditional database with some modern flair.
Supabase suits you if you like tinkering with your setup or just want a free, reliable backend. For bigger apps, though, you might need to jump to a paid plan down the road. With Supabase, you can also connect to tempo labs or lovable.dev and create apps without needing any coding skills!
Database Hosting Platforms
Sometimes, you just need a place to stash your data without all the extra bells and whistles. That’s where database hosting platforms come in. They focus on storing and managing your info, offering free tiers for popular database types like SQL and NoSQL. Let’s dig into four awesome options for 2025.
MongoDB Atlas
MongoDB Atlas is best free for NoSQL databases you can try. Its free tier hands you 512 MB of storage—enough to kick off small apps or test ideas. It’s fully managed, so you don’t have to worry about backups or security; MongoDB takes care of it all.
Why pick MongoDB Atlas? It’s super flexible with unstructured data, perfect for apps where things change a lot. Features like automatic scaling and replication keep your data safe and speedy. The catch? The free plan sticks to that 512 MB limit and skips fancy extras like multi-region setups.
Use it for anything from a personal project to a startup prototype. It’s a solid way to dip your toes into MongoDB without spending a cent.
Redis Cloud
Redis Cloud brings you Redis, a lightning-fast, in-memory database. The free tier gives you 30 MB of storage and up to 30 connections. It’s awesome for caching data, managing user sessions, or powering real-time stats in small apps.
This platform stands out because it’s so quick—data loads in a flash! You also get daily backups and failover support, keeping your info secure. For bigger needs, though, 30 MB won’t cut it, and you’ll have to shell out for more.
Redis Cloud is your buddy if you want speed on a budget. Try it out for a small tool or a quick feature that needs to zip along.
Neon
Neon offers a serverless PostgreSQL database with a free tier that includes 1 GB of storage and unlimited databases. It’s built to scale up easily and save you time, with a sleek setup for managing your data.
What’s neat about Neon? Its serverless design means it grows with your app, and you can create “branches” to test changes without messing up your main data. It’s a dream for developers who love PostgreSQL and want a free, modern twist.
Pick Neon if your project needs a relational database that’s easy to handle. It’s perfect for small apps or learning the ropes of serverless tech.
PlanetScale
PlanetScale serves up a MySQL-compatible database with a free tier: 1 database, 3 branches, and 1 billion rows read per month. Built on Vitess, it’s all about scalability and reliability for your MySQL needs.
You’ll love PlanetScale for its extras like schema migrations and query insights, all free. It’s great for apps that mostly read data, but the free tier caps how much you can write, so plan accordingly.
This one’s a winner for small to medium projects needing a sturdy MySQL setup. Give it a shot if you’re after a free database that can grow with you.
Platform-as-a-Service for Backend Hosting
Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) platforms give you a space to run your apps and often toss in backend and database goodies. They’re perfect when you want to deploy code fast and let the platform handle the rest. Here are five PaaS options with free tiers in 2025.
Render
Render is a cloud platform that keeps things simple. Its free tier offers one web service (512 MB RAM, 0.5 CPU) and a PostgreSQL database with 1 GB of storage. You can run apps in languages like Node.js or Python without breaking a sweat.
What’s cool about Render? You deploy straight from GitHub or GitLab, and it spins up previews for your code changes. The free plan sleeps after inactivity, though, so it’s best for low-traffic stuff.
Use Render to launch a small app or test a new feature. It’s a hassle-free way to get going for free.
Vercel
Vercel is famous for frontend hosting, but it also hooks you up with serverless functions for backend APIs. The free tier gives you 100 GB-hours of function execution and 1000 GB of bandwidth monthly.
You can whip up APIs fast with Vercel’s serverless setup—they scale on their own! For databases, though, you’ll need to link up with something else, like MongoDB Atlas. It’s a lightweight way to add backend power.
Try Vercel if you’re building an app with simple backend needs. It’s a free, easy win for serverless fans.
Railway
Railway is a PaaS platform that hands you $5 in monthly credits for free. Use them to deploy apps and databases like PostgreSQL or MongoDB, all through a slick interface.
You’ll like Railway for its GitHub integration and easy environment setup. The free tier covers small projects, but if you burn through those credits, it’s time to pay up.
It’s great for testing or small apps. Jump in and see how far $5 takes you!
Fly.io
Fly.io lets you run apps close to your users on a global network. The free tier includes 3 shared-CPU-1x VMs (256 MB RAM each) and 3 GB of storage—pretty generous!
This platform shines for low-latency apps, deploying them worldwide. It supports tons of runtimes and databases, but the free resources are limited, so keep it small.
Pick Fly.io if you want speed and a free global reach. It’s a fun way to experiment with distributed apps.
Deta
Deta is a cloud platform that keeps it simple with free hosting. You get Deta Micros (serverless functions) with 100,000 requests monthly and Deta Base (NoSQL database) with 1 GB of storage.
Deta’s all about making your life easy—deploy apps and store data without fuss. It’s ideal for small to medium projects that don’t need tons of power.
Give Deta a go if you want a free, no-nonsense backend setup. It’s perfect for quick builds and launches.
FAQs
Are these platforms really free?
Yes, they are! Every platform we’ve covered offers a free tier or plan you can use without paying upfront. Reason: They want you to try their services and see the value. But each one caps things like storage or requests, so if your app gets big, you might need to pay for more.
Can I use these free tiers for production apps?
Yes, sometimes! Reason: For small apps with light traffic, free tiers work fine and save you cash. But if your app is super important or gets tons of users, paid plans give you better reliability and power.
Do I need a credit card to sign up?
No, not always! Reason: Many platforms, like Supabase and MongoDB Atlas, let you start for free without a card. Some might ask for one to verify you or if you upgrade later, but you can often dive in card-free.
What limits come with free hosting?
Yes, there are limits! Reason: Free tiers cap storage, bandwidth, or connections to keep costs low for the provider. You might also see slower speeds or ads, so check what each one restricts before you commit.
How do I pick the right platform?
Yes, you can choose easily! Reason: Look at what your project needs—like database type or language support—and match it to a platform’s strengths. Test a few free tiers to see which one feels right for you.
Conclusion
In 2025, you’ve got a treasure chest of free backend and database hosting platforms to play with. From Back4app’s easy setup to MongoDB Atlas’s data flexibility, these 12 options let you build and grow without spending a dime. Whether you need a full backend solution, a speedy database, or a place to deploy your code, you’re covered.
Don’t sleep on these free tiers—they’re perfect for testing ideas, launching small apps, or learning new skills. Just keep their limits in mind and scale up when your project takes off. You’ve got the tools; now it’s time to make something awesome.
Pick a platform, try it out, and see where it takes you. The best part? You’re not locked in—experiment with a few until you find your favorite. Happy building!
