WHDb

Are you addicted to Ruby on Rails? Ruby on Rails (often called RoR or, simply, Rails) is an open source web application framework for the Ruby programming language. It is intended to be used with an Agile development methodology, which is often utilized by web developers for its suitability for short, client-driven projects.

While the Rails addict may be perfectly happy with his or her RoR application, some users might be less than thrilled with some Rails hosting environments. A good Rails host will provide Shell/SSH access, Fast CGI, SCGI and/or Mongrel support, the latest RoR releases, knowledgeable support staff with Rails documentation on board, and scalability options to meet future growth.

With that said, we’ve compiled this handy list of 10 Web hosts that provide a friendly environment for RoR applications. This Ruby on Rails Web host list is compiled by price, from most to least expensive. This methodology does not mean that we value one host over another, either by price or by service.

1. Blue Host: Blue Host offrs one set of hosting features with four ways to pay. All four solutions provide capabilities for Rails. You have Shell access (SSH), SSL, FTP, stats, 24×7 support, FCGI for Rails and a Cpanel that contains Ruby, Rubygems and an RoR management console. Users also receive a 30-day money-back guarantee and a forum and documentation online to make your transition and hosting experience more enjoyable. Be aware that Blue Host charges for SSL accounts and for domain reactivations, a normal procedure. Current price for a site with unlimited domains is $4.95 per month through our coupon.
2. Go Daddy: Go Daddy provides a one-stop shop where users can register Internet domain names and host a site for just about any service imaginable. RoR is welcome, as Go Daddy provides services for a vast array of language, scripting and framework options. They offer a 99.9% network uptime commitment and 24/7 support with every sale, but our concern is the lack of access to the command line in Shell. You can learn from others how they handled this shortfall. Otherwise, the nice part about the Go Daddy deal is that RoR is included in their least expensive packages. Begin hosting your Rails site for as little as $4.99 per month for a two-month contract. Save more if you go long-term. Upgrade at any time.
3. HostGator.com: HostGator.com’s services are designed for beginners and for professionals. Plus, they provide a 99.9% uptime guarantee, a great support system and a 45-day money back guarantee. Their basic Linux Web hosting plan includes RoR capabilities, and users can choose among three various plans with three different price structures. You can always expand your site or upgrade at any time at Hostgator.com, and options include shared, reseller and dedicated hosting solutions. Currently, the lowest price for hosting options at HostGator.com is $4.95 per month, and this price includes 24×7 support, instant backups, unlimited MySQL databases and much more.
4. Web Hosting Pad: Web Hosting Pad’s mission is to deliver the best value in Web hosting at an affordable price. They offer a 99.9% uptime guarantee, and their data center offers complete redundancy in power, HVAC, fire suppression, network connectivity, and security. As a Rails user, you might be surprised to learn that Web Hosting Pad offers the same package to all clients; therefore, you don’t need to dicker on the price. Currently, they’re running a sale at only $3.96 per month, and you can get free months if you sign for a long-term hosting option (limited-time offer).
5. HostMonster.com: This Web host provides a 99.9% network and server uptime guarantee, excellent support via phone, email and live chat, and the ability for you to cancel an account at any time without penalties with with a pro-rated full refund of the unused portion of your hosting agreement. HostMonster.com offers one set of hosting features and four ways to pay. For Rails developers, HostMonster.com provides SSH Access (Secure Shell), SSL, FTP (can create separate FTP accounts for your domains), Stats and CGI. Take advantage of their user forums and a current coupon discount of $6.95 per month.
6. Media Temple: Media Temple provides users with several options for hosting, but they all are based upon a grid service (gs), a completely new hosting application that supplies room for up to 100 sites along with a 64 MB Ruby/Mongrel container, their ‘MySQL GridContainers,’ and MySQL SmartPool v.2 with load-leveling technology, burst-able database resources and more. The “Mongrel” server should tip you off that Media Temple is ready for RoR users, and they also supply instant scalability for growth. While the boost to a higher priced tier may not be in your plans, this option actually tells you that this hosting service is dedicated to making sure your site survives through uber-heavy traffic spikes. Currently, you can get on board with the basic grid service for $20 per month.
7. Rails Machine: Rails Machine was founded in 2006 to create the ultimate hosting environment for the Ruby on Rails community. Rails Machine offers “a smooth ride for your Rails application,” no matter if you’re deploying your applications in a hosted environment or in an internal corporate environment. All of their hosting products include their “Ask Us Anything” support. They offer dedicated server cores with custom resource allocation to meet any need, so you can order anything from a single virtual server to an entire dedicated server with multiple virtual servers molded to meet your requirements and specifications. And, you can begin small and work up. The minimal package is $150.00 per month, and plans can be deployed within one to two business days.
8. Hosting Rails: This site is focused on Rails apps, and their FAQ and other documentation validates their focus. In business since 2006, they have been growing at a steady clip since. They offer Mongrel servers, FastCGI, a custom Rails app installation service with optional SVN and Capistrano instruction, and their support staff consists of Rails developers. They offer 24×7 eTicket support, forums and tutorials as well. Scaling up for growth is an option that you can take any time. Currently, their least expensive hosting package for a “Custom” Rails deployment is $79.00 per app, with options for monthly bandwidth that range from $3.59 to $19.98 per month. Users also can add memory for a monthly fee.
9. Brightbox: Brightbox originally began as a project that hosted RoR apps for clients on dedicated servers. Now they provide virtual dedicated servers optimized for hosting Ruby on Rails applications. Each box comes with a Ruby on Rails stack preinstalled, Managed MySQL database servers and is based on the Xen virtualization platform. You’ll receive better resilience and scalability, yet less complexity than with traditional dedicated server solutions with Brightbox. You’ll also have full root access to your server, and capabilities to upgrade your RM or server space. Currently, Brightbox offers four separate packages with four pricing structures. The lowest priced package is $67.00 per month.
10. RailsPlayground: RailsPlayground is an advanced hosting provider geared toward developers, and was one of the first rails specific hosting companies when it started in 2005. All developer and reseller accounts feature FastCGI and RoR support, SSH Shell access, Ruby Gems, SPAN modules, PEAR modules (available by request), a SVN/Trac control panel and a 30-day money-back guarantee. RailsPlayground provides documentation through a Wiki/FAQ, forums, Look for Mongrel servers, each with its own control panel and SSH access, or virtual private services with pre-configured rails environment. The least expensive of those two options is the first, currently offered at $5.00 per month.

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