How to Deploy Next.js Apps for Free in 2026

Next.js is the king of React frameworks, but Vercel isn't the only place you can host it. If you want a flexible cloud environment without vendor lock-in, deploying to an independent PaaS is your best move.

Why Consider Vercel Alternatives?

While Vercel built Next.js and offers a seamless experience, you may outgrow their hobby tier or run into pricing cliffs on bandwidth and serverless functions executing database queries. Hosting on a traditional long-running Node.js process often solves these limitations.

Step 1: Update Next.js Build Script

By default, Next.js starts a server on port 3000. Before pushing to a platform like Remoud, ensure your package.json is ready:

"scripts": {
    "dev": "next dev",
    "build": "next build",
    "start": "next start"
}

Step 2: Connect Your GitHub Repository

Head to the dashboard of your chosen platform (like Remoud). Connect your GitHub account and select your Next.js project repository from the list.

Step 3: Deploy with Zero Config

Remoud automatically detects Next.js repositories and runs the `npm run build` and `npm start` commands. Within 60 seconds, your site is live with a free SSL certificate.

Handling Environment Variables

Next.js often relies on .env.local for database keys or API endpoints. Make sure to paste these directly into your platform's dashboard so your app can access them securely in production.