TL;DR
The Best Tomcat Hosting Providers offer strong Java support, scalability, and cost-effectiveness. If you’re looking for a reliable, beginner-friendly solution, Hostinger provides affordable VPS options with an easy-to-use control panel. Kamatera, on the other hand, is the top choice for developers needing highly flexible and scalable infrastructure, though it may require a steeper learning curve. Both providers make excellent choices for hosting Tomcat applications.
Note: While our HostScore ratings provide a general overview of host performance, there are other factors you should consider for your specific needs. Our Tomcat hosting picks in this guide address this by offering tailored suggestions for different requirements.
1. Hostinger
Website: https://www.hostinger.com/vps-hosting/
Hostinger offers unmanaged VPS hosting designed to deliver a balance of affordability and performance. Known for its competitive pricing and reliable infrastructure, Hostinger’s VPS solutions are ideal for Java developers seeking control without sacrificing ease of use.
Why Hostinger is Ideal for Tomcat Hosting
Hostinger’s VPS plans are well-suited for developers hosting Tomcat applications by offering flexibility and control through full root access. This allows you to install and configure Apache Tomcat, customize JVM settings, and optimize the server environment for Java-based applications.
A key advantage is the dedicated resources provided that will ensure stable performance for Java applications. Hostinger’s VPS also features an intuitive control panel (hPanel), making account management and scaling easy, even for those with limited technical expertise.
With multiple data centers worldwide, you can choose the server location nearest to your audience. This can reduce latency and improve load times.
Affordable Pricing for Tomcat Hosting
Hostinger’s VPS plans are highly affordable, starting at just $4.99/month. Despite the low price, each plan includes 300 MB/s network speed, dedicated IPv6 support, and NVMe storage, ensuring optimal performance for Tomcat hosting.
Read the full review of Hostinger to learn more about hosting for Tomcat.
Overall Hostinger Pros and Cons
Hostinger Pros
- Very cost-effective - Lowest plan starts at $2.99/mo and support up to 100 websites
- Nine different data centers in four continents
- Good spread of hosting plans
- User-friendly control panel (hPanel)
- Wide range of payment options accepted
- Git environment available on shared hosting
- Additional 10% discount with coupon code "HOSTSCORE"
Hostinger Cons
- Price increase during the renewal
- Does not support Windows hosting
2. Kamatera
Website: https://www.kamatera.com/
Kamatera provides a cloud infrastructure optimized for Apache Tomcat hosting. With 24 global data centers (including the three new ones in Australia, Japan, and Singapore!) and state-of-the-art hardware, Kamatera offers high performance, security, and flexibility for developers.
Why Kamatera is Ideal for Tomcat Hosting
Kamatera simplifies the deployment of Tomcat-based applications with its one-click installation for Tomcat on Ubuntu servers. The infrastructure is fully customizable, allowing users to instantly scale CPU, RAM, and SSD storage. This makes it ideal for resource-intensive Java applications.
Powered by Intel Xeon Platinum processors and NVMe SSD storage, Kamatera ensures top-tier performance. Its elastic infrastructure allows for flexible scaling without downtime, which makes it perfect for handling growing web applications. The cloud VPS plan also includes 5000 GB per month of bandwidth on a 10 Gbit/sec port. It comes with a 30-day free trial, offering a cost-effective solution for testing and deploying your Tomcat applications.
While Kamatera offers excellent performance, some features like managed services and extended backups come at an additional cost. As a result, it is more suitable for experienced developers who need advanced customization and control.
If you want to know more about Tomcat Hosting for Kamatera, read the full review.
Overall Kamatera Pros and Cons
Kamatera Pros
- Excellent server speed performance
- Highly flexible hosting plans
- Wide range of support and use cases
- Affordable pricing at bare server unit
- Choice of 24 distributed data centers
- Free to create a $100 worth server during the first 30 days
Kamatera Cons
- Confusing pay-as-you-go pricing model
- Many vital add-ons require extra cost
3. LiquidWeb
Website: https://www.liquidweb.com/
Liquid Web is a premium hosting provider renowned for its high-performance cloud VPS solutions. It offers advanced features tailored for developers and businesses that require scalability and reliability.
Why Liquid Web is Ideal for Tomcat Hosting
Liquid Web’s Cloud VPS hosting is an excellent choice for hosting Tomcat applications, offering dedicated resources and exceptional scalability. With full root access, developers have complete control over server configurations, which makes it easy to install and optimize Apache Tomcat for Java-based applications.
The platform ensures high availability with a 100% network uptime guarantee. This minimizes downtime for critical applications. For developers needing enhanced security, Liquid Web includes DDoS protection and server firewalls as standard features.
Additionally, managed hosting options provide expert-level server management and optimization that can ensure high performance for Tomcat hosting.
Read our LiquidWeb review to learn more.
Overall LiquidWeb Pros and Cons
LiquidWeb Pros
- Powerful enterprise hosting solutions with great scalability
- 100% network uptime, backed by detailed Service Level Agreement (SLA)
- Excellent customer support - 59-Second support response guarantee
- Self-operated data centres - Higher degree of security and data integrity compared to providers renting space from third-parties
- PCI-Compliant and HIPAA-Compliant hosting servers available
- Cheaper cloud VPS plan (starts at $5/mo) now available
LiquidWeb Cons
- Does not provide low-cost shared hosting plans
- No Asia-based data center
4. Digital Ocean
Website: https://www.digitalocean.com/
Digital Ocean provides simple and scalable cloud infrastructure, which makes it a popular choice for developers who need flexibility at an affordable price. Their Droplets (virtual private servers) offer a customizable environment that is ideal for hosting Java-based applications with Apache Tomcat.
Why Digital Ocean is Ideal for Tomcat Hosting
Digital Ocean is an excellent option for developers hosting Tomcat due to its scalability and cost-effectiveness. You can deploy an Ubuntu 20.04 (latest) or Debian 10 or CentOS 7 server and easily install Tomcat using Digital Ocean’s extensive documentation and tutorials here. Once your Droplet is up and running, you can install and configure Tomcat via the command-line interface (CLI). You will have full control over your Java application’s environment.
While Digital Ocean does require some technical expertise, its extensive library of community tutorials simplifies the process for more advanced users.
If you want to know more about Digital Ocean, read our full review.
Overall LiquidWeb Pros and Cons
Digital Ocean Pros
- Outstanding server uptime and speed performance
- Competitive and flexible pricing model
- Choice of 15 distributed data centers
- Highly configurable virtual machines
- Built-in alert system for resource thresholds or critical issues
Digital Ocean Cons
- Charges apply for automated backups
- Unencrypted backups
- Only suitable for advanced users
- Less user-friendly for team operations
5. HostWinds
Website: https://www.hostwinds.com/
HostWinds offers affordable unmanaged Linux VPS hosting that is ideal for developers seeking full control over their server environment. With scalable plans and enterprise-grade hardware, it’s an excellent option for hosting Tomcat applications.
Why HostWinds is Ideal for Tomcat Hosting?
HostWinds’ unmanaged Linux VPS is well-suited for Tomcat hosting due to its full root access. It allows developers to configure and optimize the server environment specifically for Java-based applications. With the freedom to install and customize Tomcat, developers can tailor the server to their exact needs.
The VPS includes SSD storage, 1 Gbps ports, and instant scalability, making it easy to upgrade resources as your Tomcat application grows.
A standout feature is nightly backups, providing peace of mind for data recovery. HostWinds also offers real-time monitoring to alert users to any potential issues with their VPS – a critical aspect for mission-critical applications running on Tomcat.
However, as this is an unmanaged plan, developers are responsible for server setup, maintenance, and troubleshooting. Users with technical expertise will find it a better fit.
Read the full review of HostWinds to learn more.
Overall HostWinds Pros and Cons
HostWinds Pros
- Fast and reliable services
- Sterling reputation and support
- Lots of automated services
- Weebly website builder included
HostWinds Cons
- Shortest money-back guarantee period in market (3 days)
- No extra business services
- Slightly higher than usual starting prices
Apache Tomcat & Tomcat Hosting Explained
What is Apache Tomcat?
Apache Tomcat is an open-source Java Servlet container that implements several Java EE (Enterprise Edition) specifications, such as JavaServer Pages (JSP) and Java Servlet. It’s specifically designed to serve Java-based web applications, making it a vital component in many enterprise environments.
The general system requirements for deploying Apache Tomcat:
Operating Systems
- Linux: Widely supported, including Ubuntu, Debian, Red Hat, CentOS, Fedora, SUSE, and more.
- Windows: Supported versions include Windows 10, 8.1, Server 2012, 2016, and 2019.
- macOS: Supported versions include macOS 10.13 (High Sierra) and later.
Hardware
- CPU: Modern Intel or AMD processors with 64-bit architecture.
- RAM: Minimum of 1 GB, but 2 GB or more recommended for optimal performance.
- Disk Space: 100 MB for installation, plus additional space for applications and logs.
- Network Interface: Standard Ethernet or wireless adapter.
Software
- Java Runtime Environment (JRE): Version 8 or later (8.5 or later recommended).
- Package manager: Appropriate for your OS (apt, yum, brew, etc.) to install Tomcat from repositories.
For more detailed information, refer to the Apache Tomcat documentation.
Why is Tomcat Important for Java-based Web Applications?
Tomcat is a popular choice among Java developers because it simplifies the process of deploying and managing Java applications. Unlike general-purpose web servers such as Apache HTTPD or Nginx, Tomcat is optimized for Java applications. It provides a dedicated environment for running Java-based projects.
Running a Tomcat server, however, requires specific configurations, particularly in Java Virtual Machine (JVM) tuning and memory allocation. Compared to other Java servers like JBoss, WebLogic, or GlassFish, Tomcat is known for its simplicity and lightweight nature, though it lacks some of the enterprise features found in those alternatives.
Here’s a quick comparison of Tomcat versus other popular Java servers:
| Server | Key Features | Use Cases |
|---|---|---|
| Tomcat | Lightweight, open-source, good for web apps | Small to medium applications |
| JBoss | Full Java EE support, advanced admin features | Large enterprise applications |
| WebLogic | Enterprise-level, advanced clustering | Highly scalable applications |
| GlassFish | Comprehensive Java EE server, built-in tools | Full Java EE applications |
Common Challenges with Hosting Tomcat Applications
- Memory Management: JVM tuning is essential for ensuring smooth operation.
- Scaling: Scaling Tomcat applications can be challenging, especially if your hosting provider lacks flexibility.
- Resource Requirements: Java applications using Tomcat can be resource-intensive, requiring higher server specifications.
How to Choose the Right Tomcat Hosting?
Selecting the right Tomcat hosting plan is essential for the smooth operation and scalability of your Java-based applications. Here are some deeper insights into the key features to look for:
1. Java & JVM Support
When hosting Tomcat applications, full Java and JVM support is non-negotiable. Ensure that the host allows you to configure your JVM environment, including fine-tuning memory allocation, garbage collection, and thread management. Look for hosting providers that offer flexible Java version support, which allows you to upgrade as newer versions of Java are released. The ability to install custom Java libraries is also important for extending functionality.
Tip: Check whether the host allows you to easily manage multiple versions of Java, as this can be crucial when running different applications on the same server.
2. Scalability
Java applications, especially those using Tomcat, can be resource-intensive. A good Tomcat hosting provider should offer scalability, enabling you to increase CPU, RAM, and storage as your application demands grow. Look for cloud-based hosting solutions that allow for elastic scaling, meaning you can scale up or down without downtime.
Tip: Consider providers that offer auto-scaling options, which automatically adjust resources based on traffic or load, ensuring consistent performance during traffic spikes.
3. Performance
Performance is critical for Java applications, which often require more processing power and memory than PHP or Python apps. Look for hosting solutions with dedicated resources (CPU, RAM, and NVMe / SSD storage) to ensure stable and reliable performance. SSD or NVMe SSD storage offer faster data access times compared to traditional HDDs, which can significantly boost the performance of your Tomcat applications.
Tip: Consider the network infrastructure. Hosting providers with high-speed ports (1 Gbps or higher) and global data centers can help reduce latency and improve load times for users across different regions.
4. Security
Security is crucial for any hosting environment. It’s especially important when running Java-based web applications, which may handle sensitive data. Look for hosting providers that offer built-in security features such as DDoS protection, firewalls, and SSL support.
Additionally, JVM security settings and policies should be easily configurable to allow for fine-grained control over access and permissions.
Tip: Check if the host offers regular security updates, patches, and vulnerability scans, as this can help keep your Tomcat environment secure from external threats.
5. Server Management (Managed vs. Unmanaged)
If you’re an experienced developer with in-depth knowledge of Tomcat, unmanaged hosting might be a cost-effective solution that gives you complete control over the server environment. However, if you prefer focusing on development rather than server maintenance, managed Tomcat hosting may be a better fit. Managed plans often include setup, monitoring, patching, and optimization of your server environment.
Tip: Managed hosting can come with additional costs but saves time and effort, especially for businesses that require reliable uptime and regular server management.
6. Support for Additional Tools and Integrations
Tomcat hosting often requires additional tools for building, deploying, and monitoring applications. Ensure that the hosting provider supports integrations with essential tools such as:
- Maven for build automation
- Jenkins for continuous integration and deployment
- JVM monitoring tools like VisualVM or JConsole
Having access to these tools can significantly improve your workflow and application management.
Final Thoughts
For Tomcat hosting, Hostinger is perfect for affordable and simple setups. Kamatera and Digital Ocean are better for developers needing flexible, scalable environments.
Liquid Web stands out for its managed services and high performance. It’s ideal for larger projects, while HostWinds offers affordable unmanaged VPS for full control.
Choose based on your project’s complexity, whether you need ease of use or complete control over server configurations.
