Choose your platform
Too complicated? Not what you’re looking for?
Consider a hosted Nightscout service! Check for easier solutions here.
Various platforms are available to host your Nightscout site in the cloud.
Warning
Creating a database is mandatory if you want to use: Heroku, Railway, Northflank, Fly.io or Azure. Make sure you have one before creating a Nightscout web app in these platforms.
Find a list of commonly used hosting services below, decide which one you’ll want to use.
Heroku
Since the beginning Heroku has been a very popular platform for Nightscout. Most of the documentation was based on a Heroku Nightscout.
On August 25th 2022, Salesforce decided to drop the free plan.
You can create your new Nightscout site with Heroku using an Eco plan (5$/month).
Pros:
Large platform with a reliable history
Well documented, well known by the community
Cons:
The Eco plan has the same limitations than the previous Free plan, for 5$ per month
For a Nightscout site a 7$ per month Basic plan is not really worth it (compared to hosted solutions)
Doesn’t include a database
Azure
Nightscout DIY was originally created with Azure but most users dropped it after costs increased.
A new deployment method fitting in the free tier has been created using a Docker container.
Pros:
Large platform with a reliable history
Well known by the community IT specialists
Using a basic plan and free services keep it free
Cons:
Trial account lasts maximum 12 months
Basic plan and pay as you go is free if you stay within quotas
The F1 free app service plan is designed for testing, not production
The Cosmos database doesn’t integrate correctly with Nightscout
Railway.app
You can easily create a new Railway Nightscout site with a MongoDB Atlas or a Railway MongoDB database. The Hobby plan (5$ per month) allows one Nightscout site and a small database.
Pros:
Easy to deploy or migrate an existing site from Heroku (but not worth it without free tier)
Simple to use and troubleshoot
Can use a reliable native Railway MongoDB database, the cost will add-up within the subscription ($)
Cons:
The free tier has been removed, only active developers can have 5$ credit per month
The railway.app domain is blocked for safety by some companies
Railway network model causes issues with some follower app and devices
Northflank
You can create your new free Northflank Nightscout site, with its own Northflank database or with a MongoDB Atlas database.
Pros:
Nightscout fits in the free tier
Easy to deploy or migrate an existing site from Heroku
Simple to use and troubleshoot
Can use a professional native Northflank MongoDB database ($)
Cons:
The Nightscout address generated for your site is impossible to remember
Fly.io
Fly.io proposed a simple migration wizard from Heroku and you can create your new Nightscout site in Fly.io. Using a computer is mandatory with Fly.io as managing your site will require the use of a command line utility. Not recommended for beginners.
Pros:
Nightscout fits in the free tier
Easy to migrate an existing site from Heroku
Cons:
Maintaining your site requires the use of command line instructions, not very intuitive
Doesn’t include a database
Google Cloud
A scripted Nightscout installation in Google Cloud is a new complete solution proposed by the xDrip+ developers team. Whilst deploying Nightscout manually in Ubuntu can be complex, their approach makes is rather simple for non-technical people.
Pros:
Complete solution offering a large free database
A web interface to edit your variables
Tools provided to migrate the database from another platform
Virtually free (<5c/month)
Cons:
Not available for free for Australia and China users
Relying on a free DNS provider
Render
A free solution with little experience.
Pros:
No credit card required
Cons:
The free plan doesn’t guarantee any reliability
App will sleep after 15 minutes
Render URLs are considered unsafe by some internet providers
Doesn’t include a database