Hostim.dev

About Hostim.dev

Hostim.dev is a specialized Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) engineered to eliminate the traditional DevOps burden for developers deploying containerized applications. It provides a streamlined, bare-metal hosting environment in Germany, designed for GDPR compliance by default. The platform's core value proposition is operational simplicity: developers can deploy directly from Docker images, Git repositories, or full Docker Compose files without any rewrites, abstracting away the underlying Kubernetes infrastructure. This approach allows teams to launch production-ready applications in minutes, not days, with all necessary ancillary services—including managed MySQL, PostgreSQL, Redis databases, and persistent volumes—automatically provisioned and connected. Hostim.dev champions transparency and control, offering per-project isolation, real-time cost tracking, and predictable, flat-rate pricing to avoid the surprise bills common in usage-based cloud models. It is ideally suited for individual developers, startups, digital agencies, and SaaS builders who prioritize rapid iteration, clear cost management, and European data sovereignty without needing to become infrastructure experts.

Features of Hostim.dev

Simplified Docker and Compose Deployment

Hostim.dev allows for direct deployment from existing Docker artifacts, requiring no platform-specific YAML configuration. Developers can paste a standard docker-compose.yml file or connect a Git repository, and the platform handles the rest. This zero-rewrite approach significantly reduces deployment friction and time-to-live, enabling teams to leverage their existing development workflows and container knowledge without learning a new orchestration syntax. The platform's compatibility with common backend frameworks like Express.js and Django further accelerates this process.

Built-in Managed Services and Storage

The platform automatically provisions and wires essential stateful services directly into each project's environment. With one click, developers can spin up instances of MySQL, PostgreSQL, and Redis, which are instantly available with pre-configured environment variables for secure application connection. Persistent volumes for file storage are also included, removing the complexity of manually setting up and managing separate database hosting or block storage solutions and their associated networking rules.

Transparent Cost Control and Project Isolation

Every application on Hostim.dev runs in its own isolated Kubernetes namespace, ensuring security and operational separation. Crucially, each project has its own dedicated cost tracking, providing clear, auditable billing breakdowns. This model, combined with flat, predictable pricing starting from €2.5 per month for apps and free tiers for core services, offers financial clarity. It prevents the "bill shock" associated with metered cloud services and simplifies client handovers for agencies by cleanly separating costs.

EU Bare-Metal Hosting with Developer Tools

Applications are hosted on dedicated bare-metal servers in Germany, ensuring high performance and full compliance with GDPR data residency requirements by default. The platform bundles critical production-ready features automatically, including custom domain support with automated HTTPS (SSL/TLS) provisioning, real-time application logs, and system metrics. Secure SSH access is provided via a Bastion container, giving developers direct access for debugging while maintaining a hardened security posture.

Use Cases of Hostim.dev

Freelance Developers and Solo Builders

For freelancers, Hostim.dev dramatically simplifies shipping client projects or personal SaaS applications. The ability to deploy directly from Docker Compose eliminates server management overhead. Per-project billing allows for clean cost pass-through to clients, and the built-in services mean no separate database hosting accounts are needed. This enables solo developers to operate with the efficiency and professionalism of a larger team.

Digital and Development Agencies

Agencies can leverage Hostim.dev to maintain strict isolation between different client projects within the same account. Each client's application, databases, and costs are neatly separated, facilitating transparent invoicing and straightforward project handover. The EU-based, GDPR-compliant hosting is a key selling point for European clients concerned with data sovereignty, providing a compliant foundation without extra configuration.

Startups and Early-Stage SaaS Companies

Startups can use Hostim.dev to go from idea to live product with minimal initial investment in DevOps. The platform allows founders and small technical teams to focus on building their core application logic rather than managing infrastructure. Predictable pricing aids in financial forecasting, and the ability to scale CPU, RAM, or replicates from the UI supports growth without requiring architectural overhauls in the early stages.

Students and Educators

Hostim.dev provides an excellent platform for students learning modern development practices. It offers hands-on experience with Docker, real databases, and live deployments on actual infrastructure, far beyond local development environments. The free trial and student credits lower the barrier to entry, allowing learners to build and showcase portfolio projects that demonstrate professional deployment skills.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the free tier include?

The free tier includes a 5-day trial project with no credit card required for signup. Beyond the trial, Hostim.dev offers permanently free tiers for its core managed services. This includes allowances for MySQL, PostgreSQL, Redis databases, and persistent volumes, allowing developers to run small applications or prototypes at no ongoing cost. Application hosting itself starts at €2.5 per month.

Can I deploy with just a Docker Compose file?

Yes, absolutely. Hostim.dev is designed to accept standard, unmodified docker-compose.yml files. You can paste your Compose configuration directly into the platform's dashboard, and it will deploy the defined services, networks, and volumes. This means you can migrate existing local or CI/CD workflows to Hostim.dev without rewriting your configuration to fit a proprietary format.

Where is my application hosted?

All applications and data on Hostim.dev are hosted exclusively on bare-metal servers located in German data centers. This ensures high performance and guarantees that data residency complies with the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) by default, a critical consideration for businesses operating in or serving customers from the EU.

Do I need to know Kubernetes to use Hostim.dev?

No, Kubernetes knowledge is not required. Hostim.dev uses Kubernetes as its robust underlying orchestration layer, but it completely abstracts this complexity away from the user. Developers interact only with familiar concepts like Docker images, Compose files, and Git repositories. The platform manages all Kubernetes manifests, networking, and service discovery automatically.