Guide · Open source
How to use stack-on-a-budget: browse free-tier hosting services
Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data
Stack on a budget is an open-source GitHub repository that collects hosted services with free tiers, grouped by category such as app hosting, databases, CI/CD, emailing and error reporting. It is aimed at developers who want to run side projects without paying for hosting every month. This guide shows you how to read the list, compare free tiers and find a fit for a small project.
Stack on a Budget255kb/stack-on-a-budget · ★ 12.5k · MIT Install options & downloads Quick start
- 1Open the repository. Go to github.com/255kb/stack-on-a-budget and read the introduction and table of contents.
- 2Clone it if you want a local copy. Run the git clone command to download the repository files for offline reading.
- 3Pick a category. Choose the area you need, such as app hosting, databases, CI/CD or emailing.
- 4Read the free tier descriptions. Open the category page and compare what each service's free tier includes and limits.
- 5Confirm on the provider site. Check the current free tier terms on each provider's own website before relying on it.
- 6Contribute back if needed. Follow CONTRIBUTING.md to add a service or correct an entry.
What stack-on-a-budget is and what it is not
Stack on a budget is a directory, not a tool you install. Each entry is a separate external service, and the repository describes what that service's free tier includes so you can judge whether it suits a small project.
The stated goal is to help people run side projects without paying for hosting every month. The README notes that many services now offer free tiers good enough for testing small apps and even for production use of small apps.
- It is a list of third-party services, not software you run locally.
- Each entry describes the free tier, its limitations and what is included.
- Free tiers can change, and the README excerpt does not detail every limit, so check each provider's current terms.
Clone the repository to read the full list
The repository is read online, and the README lists its categories in a table of contents with links to a separate page per category. If you prefer to keep a local copy for offline browsing, clone it with the command below.
Each category page lives under a pages folder, for example pages/app-hosting.md or pages/database-hosting.md, and each service has its own anchor link.
git clone https://github.com/255kb/stack-on-a-budgetFind the category you need
Start from the category that matches your gap. The README's table of contents includes groups such as App hosting, Database hosting, Continuous integration/delivery, Emailing, Error Reporting, Application performance monitoring and Code collaboration tools.
Within a category, entries are listed by name. Open the category page to read each service's free tier description before shortlisting.
- App hosting: for running a web app or API.
- Database hosting: for managed databases such as Postgres, MongoDB and Redis options.
- Continuous integration/delivery: for automated builds and tests.
- Emailing: for sending transactional email.
- Error Reporting and Application performance monitoring: for catching and tracking errors in production.
Compare free tiers using the descriptions
The project's contribution guidelines ask contributors to describe each free tier, including its limitations. The aim is that you can decide whether a service fits just by reading its description.
When comparing, check the limits the entry names, such as usage caps or included features, and then confirm them on the provider's own pricing page before you build on them.
- Note what the free tier includes and what it excludes.
- Check whether the limits match your expected traffic or data size.
- Confirm current terms directly with the provider, since the list can lag behind changes.
Contribute a service or correction
Contributions are welcome, both for existing services and for new ones. Read CONTRIBUTING.md first, especially the rules about how to select a service and describe its free tier.
The repository is MIT licensed, as stated in its listing.
What people use it for
- Hosting a small side project app without a monthly bill.
- Choosing a free-tier database for a prototype.
- Setting up free CI/CD to run tests on each commit.
- Sending a few transactional emails from a hobby site.
- Adding basic error reporting to a small app for learning purposes.
Frequently asked questions
Is stack-on-a-budget a tool I can install?
No. The listing shows the install method as read-online, and the repository is a directory of separate external services. You can clone the repository with git to read it locally, but there is no program to run.
Is stack-on-a-budget free and what is its licence?
The repository is listed under the MIT licence. The services it lists are third-party products, and each has its own free tier terms that you should check directly.
Are the free tiers guaranteed to stay free?
No guarantee is given. The project's own notes say free tiers can change or have limits that the README does not detail, so check each provider's current terms before relying on one.
Is this suitable for production use?
It depends on the project. The README suggests free tiers can be enough for small apps in production, but teams that need guaranteed capacity should not rely on free tiers alone.
What are the alternatives to stack-on-a-budget?
The listing names Free for Dev as a comparable project. It is another directory of free developer services that you can compare against this list.
Who is the list for?
It is for developers building side projects on a budget, students learning to deploy small apps without a credit card, and anyone comparing free tiers across hosting, database and monitoring services.
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Our verdict
Stack on a budget suits developers and students who want a curated starting point for free-tier services across hosting, databases, CI/CD, email and monitoring. Teams that need guaranteed production capacity, or anyone who wants a single tool to install, should look elsewhere.
Install options & downloads