Once your app is off an AI app builder, it needs somewhere to live. The builder used to hide that decision from you. Now it's yours, and the right answer depends less on which host is "best" and more on what your app actually needs and how much of the maintenance you want to handle yourself.
This guide compares the options we see most often for apps moved off Base44, Lovable, Bolt.new and similar builders.
First, list what your app needs
An app that ran on a builder was quietly using several services. Wherever you go, each needs a home:
- Front end: the pages your users see, often a React project built with Vite
- Database: PostgreSQL, MongoDB or similar, plus regular backups
- Sign-in: user accounts, sessions and password resets
- File storage: uploads, images and documents
- Server functions: backend logic, scheduled jobs and webhooks
- Secrets: API keys for payments, email and AI services
Write this list for your own app before choosing. It turns "where should I host?" into "which host covers these six things with the least effort?"
Option 1: Vercel + Supabase
Vercel hosts the front end and serverless functions; Supabase provides a PostgreSQL database with sign-in, file storage and edge functions alongside it. Together they cover most of the list above with very little server management.
Good fit if your app is a React front end on a PostgreSQL-style database, or you're coming from a builder that already uses Supabase or Supabase-compatible services. Trade-offs: two vendors and two bills, and usage-based pricing that's worth checking against your traffic.
Option 2: Railway
Railway runs your app's services and databases together in one project, deployed from a repository. It suits apps with a long-running backend server rather than only serverless functions, and it offers several database types, including PostgreSQL and MongoDB.
Good fit if you want one place for everything and your backend is a conventional server. Trade-offs: sign-in and file storage are yours to set up, and costs grow with the resources your services use.
Option 3: Your own VPS
A virtual private server gives you a server environment you can configure for your app and database. A fixed monthly plan can make costs easier to budget, but backups, storage and traffic may cost extra.
Good fit if you or someone on your team is comfortable running a Linux server. Trade-offs: you own operating system updates, security, HTTPS certificates, monitoring and, above all, backups. Agree who will restore the database if something goes wrong.
Option 4: Managed hosting
With managed hosting, a provider handles the hosting tasks covered by your plan while the app and data stay yours. Confirm who handles updates, backups, monitoring and application support. AppExit Managed Hosting is one option, with Starter ($39 a month), Business ($79) and Pro ($149) plans, plus Enterprise for dedicated infrastructure.
Good fit if you left the builder to own your app, not to become its sysadmin.
Option 5: AWS, Azure or Google Cloud
The large cloud providers offer a wide range of infrastructure and services. Choosing the right setup, controlling costs and meeting your company’s security requirements still takes planning and expertise. They make sense when your company already uses one, or when a customer contract requires it.
Quick comparison
| Option | Effort to run | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Vercel + Supabase | Low | React front ends on PostgreSQL, Supabase-style backends |
| Railway | Low to medium | Conventional backend servers, MongoDB or PostgreSQL |
| Your own VPS | High | Full control and predictable cost, with in-house skills |
| Managed hosting | Low; depends on the agreed service | Owners who want the app run for them |
| AWS, Azure, Google Cloud | High | Enterprise requirements and existing cloud accounts |
Pricing and features change often, so check each provider's current plans before you commit.
Check the provider documentation for the services your app needs: Vercel Functions, Supabase and Railway databases.
Whatever you choose, get these right
- Backups you've restored. Test a restore before launch, not after an incident.
- Separate test and production. Never test a migration against live data.
- Secrets in environment settings, never in the code or the repository.
- Ownership and access. Keep your domain and source repository in accounts your business controls. With managed hosting, agree how you can access and export your code and data, and who is responsible for maintenance.
- A way back. Keep the old app available until the new one has proven itself.
Not sure your app can leave its builder at all? Start with the six-point portability checklist. On Base44, AppExit moves your code and database to a compatible host you choose; connect your app to get your price.