--- layout: post title: Free React Native for Web hosting with Appwrite Sites - Simplified deployment and scalability description: Learn how to deploy your React Native app for free with Appwrite Sites. date: 2025-05-20 cover: /images/blog/free-react-native-hosting/cover.avif timeToRead: 6 author: eldad-fux category: tutorials unlisted: true faqs: - question: "Can I host a React Native for Web app for free on Appwrite Sites?" answer: "Yes. [Appwrite Sites](/docs/products/sites) has a free tier that supports React Native for Web builds with a global CDN, automatic SSL, and DDoS protection included. The free plan is enough for most personal projects and early stage apps." - question: "What is React Native for Web?" answer: "React Native for Web is a library that maps React Native components like View, Text, and ScrollView to standard DOM elements. This lets you reuse the same component code across iOS, Android, and the web instead of maintaining a separate web codebase." - question: "How do I deploy a React Native for Web build to Appwrite Sites?" answer: "Run your web build (typically via Expo's `expo export:web` or a custom webpack config) to produce static files, then deploy via Git integration, the Appwrite CLI, or by uploading the build folder manually. See [deploy from Git](/docs/products/sites/deploy-from-git) for the recommended Git workflow." - question: "Can I share an Appwrite backend across my mobile and web React Native apps?" answer: "Yes. The Appwrite React Native and web SDKs target the same project, so you can use one set of [Auth](/docs/products/auth), [Databases](/docs/products/databases), and [Storage](/docs/products/storage) resources across all platforms. Just register a web platform in your Appwrite project alongside your mobile platforms." - question: "Does Appwrite Sites support custom domains for React Native for Web?" answer: "Yes. You can attach a custom domain to any Appwrite Site and SSL certificates are issued automatically. No manual configuration is required to enable HTTPS." - question: "How does React Native for Web compare to writing a separate React app?" answer: "React Native for Web gives you code reuse across mobile and web, which is useful for teams that want one codebase. A standalone React app is usually leaner and more optimized for browsers, with access to the full DOM and web APIs. Pick React Native for Web only if mobile parity is a real requirement, otherwise plain React is simpler." --- React Native for Web enables developers to build cross-platform applications using a single codebase, allowing React Native apps to run seamlessly on web browsers. While this provides a powerful way to extend mobile applications to the web, finding a hosting solution that is cost-effective, scalable, and optimized for React Native for Web can be challenging. [Appwrite Sites](/products/sites) offers a dedicated hosting platform for modern web applications, including React Native for Web, with built-in features that optimize performance, security, and developer workflows. This article explores how Appwrite Sites enhances the deployment process, integrates with React Native for Web's architecture, and compares with other hosting solutions. # Why Appwrite Sites is an ideal choice for React Native for Web ## 1. Free hosting with no upfront costs For startups and independent developers, hosting costs can be a major concern. Appwrite Sites provides free hosting, eliminating financial barriers while maintaining high performance. As your project scales, Appwrite allows you to upgrade seamlessly without any downtime. ## 2. Optimized for web-based React Native applications React Native for Web brings mobile-style components and layouts to the browser. Appwrite Sites ensures smooth rendering, asset optimization, and fast content delivery, making it an ideal fit for applications that rely on React Native's component-driven architecture. ## 3. Performance-enhancing global CDN Speed is critical for both user experience and SEO rankings. Appwrite Sites uses a globally distributed [Content Delivery Network (CDN)](/docs/products/network/cdn) to cache and serve assets efficiently, reducing latency and ensuring optimal performance no matter where users are located. ## 4. Built-in security and DDoS protection Security is a top priority for web applications. Appwrite Sites includes [DDoS protection](/docs/products/network/ddos), safeguarding applications from denial-of-service attacks by mitigating malicious traffic. Additionally, it provides **custom domain support with automatic SSL encryption**, ensuring a secure browsing experience for users. **Host your React Native app for free with Appwrite Sites** Benefit from a complete platform to develop, deploy, and build your websites and web apps. [Get started for free](https://cloud.appwrite.io/) ## 5. Preview deployments for smoother collaboration Every update to your site generates a **deployment preview link**, making it easy to review changes before going live. This feature streamlines development workflows, allowing developers and stakeholders to verify updates in a staging environment before deploying to production. ## 6. Flexible deployment methods Appwrite Sites provides multiple ways to deploy your React Native for Web application: - [Git-based deployments](/docs/products/sites/deploy-from-git): Automatically deploy updates when pushing changes to your repository. - **CLI-based deployment**: Deploy manually with a single command: ```bash appwrite deploy site ``` - **Manual file uploads**: Upload your compiled build files directly through the Appwrite Console. Appwrite also provides **starter templates** and example projects to help developers get up and running quickly with minimal configuration. ## 7. Integrated backend services for full-stack React Native applications Many React Native for Web applications require authentication, databases, and cloud functions. Appwrite Sites seamlessly integrates with **Appwrite Auth**, **Appwrite Databases**, and **Appwrite Functions**, eliminating the need for third-party backend providers and streamlining development. # How Appwrite Sites compares to other hosting platforms | Feature | Appwrite Sites | Vercel | Netlify | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Free hosting | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Static site support | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Web-optimized React Native | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Global CDN | Yes | Yes | Yes | | DDoS protection | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Deployment previews | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Custom domains | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Authentication | Appwrite Auth | No | Deprecated | | Database | Appwrite Databases | No Third-party | No Third-party | | Serverless functions | Appwrite Functions | Cloudflare workers | AWS Lambda | | Storage | Appwrite Storage | Cloudflare R2 | No | | Cloud messaging | Appwrite Messaging | No | No | | Realtime database | Appwrite Realtime | No | No | Unlike other hosting solutions that require third-party integrations for backend features, Appwrite Sites provides an all-in-one ecosystem with built-in authentication, databases, and serverless functions, reducing complexity and ensuring seamless integration. For developers looking for a streamlined hosting solution that simplifies deployment and minimizes external dependencies, Appwrite Sites is an excellent choice. Explore more with our [React Native Quick Start Guide](/docs/quick-starts/react-native) and start deploying your React Native for Web applications by visiting [Appwrite Sites](/products/sites).