> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.hostinger.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.hostinger.com/node.js/overview.md).

# Node.js Hosting Overview

Run Node.js apps directly on your hosting — full-stack apps, APIs. No separate server to manage.

> **Note:** In hPanel, Node.js apps appear as **Web Apps**. Both names refer to the same feature.

## How it works

1. **Get your code to Hostinger** — connect a GitHub repository so every push deploys automatically, upload an archive of your project, or deploy straight from your code editor with the [Hostinger Connector](/hostinger-connector/overview.md).
2. **Configure** Node version, root directory, build script, output directory.
3. **Build** — Hostinger installs dependencies and runs your build script.
4. **Run** — Hostinger starts your app and keeps it running at your domain.

If your app crashes, it's automatically restarted.

## Process handling

Node.js apps on Hostinger run on demand. After a period without incoming traffic, your app's process is stopped automatically to free up server resources. The next request — a visitor opening your site, an API call, anything — starts it again, and your app resumes serving traffic. The handover happens in the background; you don't need to configure or restart anything.

## Supported Node.js versions

| Version | Status          |
| ------- | --------------- |
| 18      | Supported       |
| 20      | Supported (LTS) |
| 22      | Supported (LTS) |
| 24      | Supported       |

> **Tip:** Use an LTS version in production for the longest active support window.

## Supported frameworks

Next.js, Nuxt.js, Express.js, NestJS, Fastify, Hono, Nitro, React Router, Astro, SvelteKit, Gatsby, and more — split by frontend (static) vs backend (SSR). See [Supported Frameworks](/node.js/overview-1.md) for the full list and per-framework setup.

Hostinger auto-detects the framework from your `package.json` — whether you upload an archive or import a GitHub repository.

## Build sources

* **GitHub** — connect a GitHub repo and trigger builds on push. See [GitHub](/node.js/github.md).
* **Archive** — upload a `.zip`, `.tar`, `.tar.gz`, or `.tgz` and point the build at it.
* **Hostinger Connector** — deploy from VS Code, Cursor, or Claude Code with a prompt. See [Hostinger Connector](/hostinger-connector/overview.md).

## Entrypoint

Server apps need an **entry file** — the script Node runs to start your server. Examples: `server.js`, `dist/main.js`, `dist/server/index.js`. The entry file must end in `.js`, `.mjs`, or `.cjs`.

Required for:

* **Backend frameworks** — Express.js, NestJS, Fastify, Hono
* **SSR / dual-mode frameworks when running in server mode** — Next.js, Nuxt.js, Nitro, React Router, Astro, SvelteKit (with `adapter-node`)

Frontend-only frameworks (React, Create React App, Vue, Angular, Vite, Parcel, Preact, Svelte, Gatsby) serve their output directory directly and don't need an entry file. Same for the dual-mode frameworks above when configured for static output (Next.js with `output: 'export'`, `nuxt generate`, Astro's static default, SvelteKit with `adapter-static`).

## Next steps

* [Supported Frameworks](/node.js/overview-1.md)
* [Creating a Node.js App](/node.js/creating-an-app.md)
* [Build Settings](/node.js/build-settings.md)
* [Deployments](/node.js/deployments.md)
* [Environment Variables](/node.js/environment-variables.md)
* [API reference](https://developers.hostinger.com/) — start Node.js builds programmatically

***

*Last updated: July 22, 2026*