Deploy a Spring Boot Java Application on Shared Hosting (Hostinger, GoDaddy, and VPS Options)

Deploying a Spring Boot Java application on shared hosting can be tricky, but it’s certainly possible with the right approach. In this article, we’ll guide you through various options for hosting your Spring Boot application, including shared hosting solutions like Hostinger and GoDaddy, and other powerful alternatives such as VPS hosting.

Challenges of Using Shared Hosting for Java Applications

Shared hosting is typically designed for websites running PHP, WordPress, or static content. Unfortunately, most shared hosting services do not support the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) required to run Java-based applications like Spring Boot.

However, if you already have shared hosting for your website and want to deploy your Java application, you can work around this limitation by using a few clever techniques. Let’s explore the best ways to go about this.

Option 1: Using VPS Hosting (Recommended for Full Control)

What is VPS Hosting?

VPS hosting (Virtual Private Server) gives you full control over the server environment. Unlike shared hosting, you don’t have to worry about restrictions or lack of Java support. VPS hosting allows you to install any software, configure server settings, and run your Java applications without limitations.

Steps to Deploy a Spring Boot Application on VPS Hosting

1. Choose a VPS Provider
   Popular VPS providers include Hostinger VPS, GoDaddy VPS, DigitalOcean, and AWS Lightsail. Choose a provider that offers Ubuntu or another Linux distribution, as these are perfect for Spring Boot apps.
2. Install Java and Maven
   Connect to your VPS using SSH and install Java and Maven. For example, on Ubuntu, you can install OpenJDK 17 and Maven using: sudo apt update
   sudo apt install openjdk-17-jdk maven
3. Upload the JAR File
   Use SFTP or Git to upload your Spring Boot JAR file to the server. Once uploaded, you can run the application using: nohup java -jar your-spring-boot-app.jar &
4. Configure Web Server (Optional)
   If you prefer running your app through a domain, you can set up Nginx or Apache to forward traffic to your Spring Boot application.
5. Set Up SSL (Optional)
   Secure your app with SSL by using Let’s Encrypt for free SSL certificates.

Option 2: Deploying on Shared Hosting (Limited Use)

While shared hosting environments (like Hostinger or GoDaddy) are not ideal for deploying Java applications, you can still deploy Java apps if your hosting provider supports Tomcat or similar Java servers.

Steps to Deploy Spring Boot on Shared Hosting Using Tomcat:

1. Check Tomcat Support
   Ensure that your hosting provider supports Apache Tomcat. Some providers, like GoDaddy, offer Java hosting with Tomcat. This is critical because Tomcat is used to run Java-based web applications.
2. Package the Application as a WAR
   To deploy your Spring Boot app to Tomcat, package your application as a WAR (Web Application Archive). You can do this by modifying the pom.xml in your Spring Boot project and building the WAR:
   mvn clean package -DskipTests
3. 1. Upload the WAR File to the Server
      Use the cPanel provided by your hosting provider to upload the WAR file to the webapps/ directory of Tomcat.
   2. Restart Tomcat
      Once your WAR file is uploaded, restart Tomcat through the cPanel. Your application should now be accessible at yourdomain.com/your-app.

   Limitations of Shared Hosting for Java Apps:

   • Limited Java Support – Only certain shared hosts support Java (often via Tomcat).
   • Limited Resources – Shared hosting may not be powerful enough for larger or resource-intensive Java apps.
   • No Control Over Server Settings – Unlike VPS, shared hosting limits your ability to customize the environment.

   ---

   Option 3: Cloud Hosting for Java Apps (Best Option)

   If you are looking for an easier way to deploy your Spring Boot Java application, cloud hosting services are your best bet. Cloud platforms like Heroku, Render, and Railway provide simple, cost-effective solutions for hosting Java applications.

   Steps to Deploy Spring Boot on Cloud Hosting:

   1. Choose a Cloud Provider
      Heroku is one of the easiest platforms for deploying Java applications. Other options include Render and Railway, which also support Java applications.
   2. Install Heroku CLI
      First, install the Heroku CLI and log in to your account. Create a new app using: heroku create
   3. Push Your Code
      Initialize a Git repository in your project, commit your changes, and push to Heroku: git init
      git add .
      git commit -m “Deploy Spring Boot”
      git push heroku main
   4. Scale Your Application
      Scale your app to ensure it runs properly: heroku ps:scale web=1
   5. 1. Access Your App
         Your app will be accessible via a Heroku subdomain, or you can configure a custom domain.

      ---

      Conclusion: Which Hosting Option Is Best for Your Spring Boot App?

      • For Full Control: VPS Hosting (Hostinger VPS, DigitalOcean) is the best option as it provides complete flexibility for your Spring Boot app.
      • For Beginners: Cloud hosting solutions like Heroku or Render are easier to set up and manage.
      • For Small Applications: Shared hosting with Tomcat can work if you’re running a lightweight app and your hosting provider supports Java.

      Ultimately, VPS hosting or cloud hosting are the most reliable and scalable solutions for deploying Spring Boot Java applications. Shared hosting should be reserved for simple projects, as it’s less suited for the demands of Java applications.