Run Node.js Apps on Hostinger VPS: Complete Deployment Guide

Use NodeSource for the most current and stable Node.js LTS release:

# SSH into your VPS
ssh root@YOUR_VPS_IP

# Install Node.js 20 LTS
curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_20.x | bash -
apt install nodejs -y

# Verify installation
node --version   # Should show v20.x.x
npm --version

# Optional: install yarn
npm install -g yarn

Clone your project and install dependencies:

# Create a non-root deploy user
adduser deploy
usermod -aG sudo deploy

# Switch to deploy user
su - deploy

# Clone your project
git clone https://github.com/yourusername/your-app.git
cd your-app

# Install dependencies
npm ci --production

# Create .env file
cp .env.example .env
nano .env  # Edit your environment variables

# Test your app
npm start  # or node index.js

If your app starts without errors and responds on its configured port, you're ready for process management.

PM2 is the Node.js process manager — it keeps your app running, restarts it on crashes, and manages multiple processes:

# Install PM2 globally
npm install -g pm2

# Start your app with PM2
pm2 start index.js --name my-app

# Alternative: use ecosystem file for full control
cat > ecosystem.config.js << 'EOF'
module.exports = {
  apps: [{
    name: 'my-app',
    script: 'index.js',
    instances: 'max',  // Use all CPU cores
    exec_mode: 'cluster',
    env: { NODE_ENV: 'production' },
    max_memory_restart: '500M'
  }]
};
EOF
pm2 start ecosystem.config.js

# Configure auto-start on server reboot
pm2 startup
pm2 save

# Useful PM2 commands
pm2 status           # View all processes
pm2 logs my-app     # View app logs
pm2 restart my-app  # Restart app
pm2 monit           # Live resource monitor

Expose your Node.js app on port 80/443 with Nginx:

# Install Nginx and Certbot
apt install nginx certbot python3-certbot-nginx -y

# Create Nginx config
cat > /etc/nginx/sites-available/my-app << 'EOF'
server {
    server_name app.yourdomain.com;
    
    location / {
        proxy_pass http://localhost:3000;
        proxy_http_version 1.1;
        proxy_set_header Upgrade $http_upgrade;
        proxy_set_header Connection 'upgrade';
        proxy_set_header Host $host;
        proxy_set_header X-Real-IP $remote_addr;
        proxy_cache_bypass $http_upgrade;
    }
}
EOF

# Enable the config
ln -s /etc/nginx/sites-available/my-app /etc/nginx/sites-enabled/
nginx -t && systemctl reload nginx

# Get SSL certificate
certbot --nginx -d app.yourdomain.com

Certbot automatically configures HTTPS and sets up auto-renewal. Your Node.js app is now served securely at https://app.yourdomain.com.