No, shared hosting services like Hostinger and GoDaddy typically do not support deploying Java-based applications directly. Shared hosting environments are designed for PHP, MySQL, and static websites (HTML/CSS/JS). However, you can deploy your Spring Boot Java application on shared hosting using some workarounds.
Why Shared Hosting Doesn’t Work for Java Apps?
- No Support for Java Applications – Most shared hosting environments support PHP but do not provide a Java runtime.
- Limited Control Over Server Configuration – You cannot install Java, configure ports, or manage processes.
- No Dedicated Server Access – Shared hosting does not allow background Java processes to run.
Alternatives for Deploying Java Applications
1. VPS Hosting (Recommended)
✅ Host your Spring Boot application on a Virtual Private Server (VPS) like:
- Hostinger VPS
- GoDaddy VPS
- AWS Lightsail
- DigitalOcean
- Linode
- Vultr
📌 Steps to Deploy on VPS:
- Buy a VPS (Ubuntu/Linux preferred).
- Install Java & Maven (
sudo apt install openjdk-17-jdk maven). - Upload the JAR file via SFTP or Git.
- Run the application using: nohup java -jar text-compare-0.0.1-SNAPSHOT.jar &
- Configure Nginx or Apache to forward requests to your Java app.
- Enable SSL (HTTPS) using Let’s Encrypt.
2. Cloud Hosting (Best for Java Apps)
✅ Use Cloud-based Java hosting services:
- Heroku (Free tier available)
- Railway.app
- Render.com
- AWS EC2
- Google Cloud App Engine
- Oracle Cloud (Free Always Tier)
📌 Steps to Deploy on Heroku:
- Install the Heroku CLI.
- Initialize Git and push the project.
- Create a Procfile (to tell Heroku how to start your app): web: java -jar target/text-compare-0.0.1-SNAPSHOT.jar
- Deploy using: git add .
git commit -m “Deploy”
git push heroku main
3. Using cPanel on Shared Hosting (Hacky Workaround)
💡 Some shared hosting providers allow Java apps using Tomcat, but it’s rare.
If your shared hosting supports Tomcat, you can:
- Upload the WAR file to
webapps/ROOT.war. - Restart Tomcat via cPanel.
- Access the app via
yourdomain.com/.
🚨 BUT: Most shared hosting plans DO NOT support Tomcat, so VPS is a better choice.
Best Option for Hosting a Spring Boot App?
| Hosting Type | Cost | Java Support | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared Hosting (Hostinger, GoDaddy) | ❌ Not Recommended | No | PHP/WordPress sites only |
| VPS Hosting (Hostinger VPS, GoDaddy VPS, DigitalOcean, AWS Lightsail) | 💰 Medium | ✅ Yes | Best for full control |
| Cloud Hosting (Heroku, Render, Railway, AWS EC2, Google Cloud) | 🆓 Free to Paid | ✅ Yes | Best for easy deployment |
| Dedicated Hosting | 💰💰 Expensive | ✅ Yes | Large-scale apps |
🚀 Recommended for Java Apps:
✅ For beginners: Heroku, Render, Railway.app (Easy, free for small apps)
✅ For professionals: VPS (Hostinger VPS, AWS, DigitalOcean, Linode) (Full control, scalable)
