Static vs Server-Side Hosting
Understanding which type of hosting you need can save you hours of frustration. Here's the complete guide to choosing the right hosting for your project.
Quick Answer
Use Foldr.Space (static hosting) if your website is:
- Pure HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files
- Runs completely in the browser (client-side)
- No server code (no .py, .php, .rb files)
Use server-side hosting (Heroku, Railway, Render) if you need:
- Backend frameworks (Flask, Django, Express, Rails)
- Database connections
- Server processing or APIs
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Static Hosting (Foldr.Space) | Server-Side Hosting (Heroku, Railway) |
|---|---|---|
| HTML/CSS/JavaScript | ||
| Flask / Django / Express | ||
| PHP / WordPress | ||
| Database Support | ||
| Server-Side APIs | ||
| Price (90 days) | FREE | $5-25/month |
| Setup Time | 1 minute | 5-30 minutes |
| Best For | Portfolios, Landing Pages | Full Web Applications |
Use Static Hosting For
- Portfolio Websites
Showcase your work with HTML/CSS/JS
- Landing Pages
Marketing pages, product launches
- Documentation Sites
Project docs, guides, wikis
- Static Site Generators
Jekyll, Hugo, Eleventy output
- Client-Side SPAs
React/Vue apps (static export only)
Use Server-Side For
- Flask/Django Apps
Python web applications
- Express/NestJS Apps
Node.js backend applications
- Database-Driven Sites
PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB
- WordPress / CMS
Content management systems
- API Backends
REST APIs, GraphQL servers
Recommended Platforms:
Heroku, Railway, Render, DigitalOcean
Still Not Sure? Answer These Questions
1. Do you have files ending in .py, .php, .rb, or .java?
✅ YES → You need server-side hosting (Heroku, Railway)
✅ NO → Static hosting might work (continue to question 2)
2. Do you need to run a command like "python app.py" or "npm start" to run your site locally?
✅ YES → You need server-side hosting
✅ NO → Static hosting works (continue to question 3)
3. Do you need a database (PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB)?
✅ YES → You need server-side hosting
✅ NO → Static hosting works (continue to question 4)
4. Can you open your index.html file directly in a browser and see your working website?
✅ YES → Perfect! Use Foldr.Space static hosting
✅ NO → You need server-side hosting
Common Scenarios
"I built a portfolio with HTML/CSS/JS"
Perfect for static portfolios! Upload and go live in 30 seconds.
"I built a Flask app with SQLite"
Flask requires a Python server. Use Heroku, Railway, or Render instead.
"I have a Next.js site exported to static HTML"
Static exports work perfectly! Make sure you ran `next export`.
"I built a WordPress blog"
WordPress needs PHP and MySQL. Use Bluehost, SiteGround, or WordPress.com.
"I have a Jekyll/Hugo site"
Upload the generated _site or public folder as a ZIP. Works perfectly!
"I need to connect to a database"
Server-side database connections require backend hosting. Use Railway or Render.
Technical Explanation
What is Static Hosting?
Static hosting serves your HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and image files directly to users' browsers. All processing happens on the client-side (in the visitor's browser). Think of it like sharing files on a CDN - your code runs in the browser, not on a server.
What is Server-Side Hosting?
Server-side hosting runs your backend code (Python, PHP, Node.js, Ruby) on a server. It processes requests, connects to databases, handles authentication, and generates dynamic content. This requires a platform that can execute your server code, like Heroku or Railway.
The Simple Test
Open your index.html file directly in your browser (double-click it). If your website works completely, it's static! If it shows errors or says "cannot connect to server", it needs server-side hosting.
Ready to Host Your Static Website?
Upload HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files. Go live in 30 seconds.
Upload Now - It's Free