5 Ways to Deploy NocoBase in 2026

Looking for the best way to deploy NocoBase, the open-source no-code/low-code platform? Whether you need a quick production setup, want full control over your infrastructure, or just need to test it locally, there's an option for you.

NocoBase lets you build CRMs, project trackers, inventory systems, and pretty much any internal tool without writing code. Its WordPress-like plugin architecture sets it apart from other no-code platforms. The best part? You have multiple deployment options depending on your needs, budget, and technical expertise.

In this guide, I'll walk you through 5 different ways to deploy NocoBase, from the simplest managed deployment to enterprise-grade Kubernetes setups. Want the quick summary? Skip to the comparison table at the end.

Let's get into it.

1. Sliplane - The Easy Way

If you want the simplest and most cost-effective way to self-host NocoBase in production, Sliplane is your answer. Deploy NocoBase in under 5 minutes with just a few clicks. No server management, no Docker knowledge required.

Here's how fast it is:

Sliplane is a Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), giving you the best of both worlds: ease of use and affordable pricing.

How it works:

1. Sign up at sliplane.io (free GitHub login)
2. Create a server (or use the free 48-hour trial server)
3. Deploy PostgreSQL using the preset, then deploy NocoBase from the registry
4. Done! Your NocoBase instance is live with automatic HTTPS

NocoBase requires PostgreSQL, so you'll deploy two services. Sliplane handles the internal networking between them automatically. You also get a persistent volume for your NocoBase storage.

Pros:

• One-click deployment: No Docker or server knowledge needed
• Fixed pricing: €9/month flat, no per-user fees
• Automatic HTTPS: SSL certificates handled for you
• Easy updates: One-click redeploy to update NocoBase
• Unlimited users: No seat-based pricing

Cons:

• No perpetual free tier: 48-hour free trial only

Best for: Developers, startups, and small businesses who want NocoBase running in production without the DevOps overhead.

For a detailed walkthrough, check out our guide on self-hosting NocoBase the easy way.

2. Self-Hosted on a VPS - The DIY Way

For developers who love full control and want the absolute lowest cost, self-hosting NocoBase on a Virtual Private Server (VPS) is the way to go. Providers like Hetzner, DigitalOcean, or Linode offer affordable servers where you can run NocoBase with Docker.

How it works:

1. Rent a VPS (e.g., Hetzner CX23 for ~€3/month)
2. Install Docker and Docker Compose
3. Set up a reverse proxy (Caddy or Nginx) for HTTPS
4. Deploy NocoBase with PostgreSQL using Docker Compose
5. Configure DNS and point your domain

Here's the Docker Compose setup you'll use:

networks:
  nocobase:
    driver: bridge

services:
  app:
    image: nocobase/nocobase:latest-full
    restart: always
    networks:
      - nocobase
    depends_on:
      - postgres
    environment:
      - APP_KEY=CHANGE_ME_TO_A_RANDOM_SECRET
      - DB_DIALECT=postgres
      - DB_HOST=postgres
      - DB_PORT=5432
      - DB_DATABASE=nocobase
      - DB_USER=nocobase
      - DB_PASSWORD=CHANGE_ME_TO_A_SECURE_PASSWORD
      - TZ=UTC
    volumes:
      - ./storage:/app/nocobase/storage
    ports:
      - "3000:80"

  postgres:
    image: postgres:16
    restart: always
    command: postgres -c wal_level=logical
    environment:
      POSTGRES_USER: nocobase
      POSTGRES_DB: nocobase
      POSTGRES_PASSWORD: CHANGE_ME_TO_A_SECURE_PASSWORD
    volumes:
      - ./storage/db/postgres:/var/lib/postgresql/data
    networks:
      - nocobase

We have a complete step-by-step guide with screenshots: Self-hosting NocoBase on Ubuntu 24.04 with PostgreSQL

Pros:

• Cheapest option: As low as €3-5/month on Hetzner
• Full control: SSH access, custom configurations, any OS
• No vendor lock-in: Move to any provider anytime
• PostgreSQL included: Production-ready database from the start

Cons:

• Manual setup required: Docker, reverse proxy, SSL, firewall
• You handle everything: Updates, backups, security patches
• Time investment: Initial setup takes 30-60 minutes
• Debugging is on you: No support if something breaks

Best for: Developers with Linux/Docker experience who want maximum cost savings and enjoy managing their own infrastructure.

3. Local Development - The Testing Way

Need to evaluate NocoBase or test its plugin system? Running it locally on your laptop is the fastest way to get started. No server needed, no costs involved.

How it works:

# Using Docker (one command!)
docker run -d -p 3000:80 --name nocobase nocobase/nocobase:latest-full

# Open http://localhost:3000

For a more realistic local setup with PostgreSQL, create a compose.yml:

networks:
  nocobase:
    driver: bridge

services:
  app:
    image: nocobase/nocobase:latest-full
    networks:
      - nocobase
    depends_on:
      - postgres
    environment:
      - APP_KEY=test-secret-key
      - DB_DIALECT=postgres
      - DB_HOST=postgres
      - DB_PORT=5432
      - DB_DATABASE=nocobase
      - DB_USER=nocobase
      - DB_PASSWORD=nocobase
      - TZ=UTC
    volumes:
      - ./storage:/app/nocobase/storage
    ports:
      - "3000:80"

  postgres:
    image: postgres:16
    command: postgres -c wal_level=logical
    environment:
      POSTGRES_USER: nocobase
      POSTGRES_DB: nocobase
      POSTGRES_PASSWORD: nocobase
    volumes:
      - ./storage/db/postgres:/var/lib/postgresql/data
    networks:
      - nocobase

Then run:

docker compose up -d

Pros:

• Completely free: No hosting costs
• Instant setup: One command to start
• Great for testing: Experiment with plugins without consequences
• Development friendly: Test NocoBase API integrations locally

Cons:

• Not for production: Your laptop isn't a server
• No public access: Others can't reach your instance
• Resource usage: NocoBase + PostgreSQL uses your laptop's CPU/RAM
• First boot is slow: Database initialization takes a couple of minutes

Best for: Developers who want to evaluate NocoBase, test plugins, or experiment with data models before committing to a hosting solution.

4. Kubernetes - The Enterprise Way

For organizations with existing Kubernetes infrastructure or those needing enterprise-grade scalability and high availability, deploying NocoBase on K8s is an option.

But before you go down this path: Read our article on why Kubernetes probably isn't for you. For most teams, it's massive overkill. Also check out Docker vs Kubernetes to understand the key differences.

How it works:

apiVersion: apps/v1
kind: Deployment
metadata:
  name: nocobase
spec:
  replicas: 1
  selector:
    matchLabels:
      app: nocobase
  template:
    metadata:
      labels:
        app: nocobase
    spec:
      containers:
      - name: nocobase
        image: nocobase/nocobase:latest-full
        ports:
        - containerPort: 80
        env:
        - name: APP_KEY
          valueFrom:
            secretKeyRef:
              name: nocobase-secrets
              key: app-key
        - name: DB_DIALECT
          value: "postgres"
        - name: DB_HOST
          value: "nocobase-postgres"
        - name: DB_PORT
          value: "5432"
        - name: DB_DATABASE
          value: "nocobase"
        - name: DB_USER
          valueFrom:
            secretKeyRef:
              name: nocobase-db-credentials
              key: username
        - name: DB_PASSWORD
          valueFrom:
            secretKeyRef:
              name: nocobase-db-credentials
              key: password
        - name: TZ
          value: "UTC"
        volumeMounts:
        - name: nocobase-storage
          mountPath: /app/nocobase/storage
      volumes:
      - name: nocobase-storage
        persistentVolumeClaim:
          claimName: nocobase-storage-pvc
---
apiVersion: v1
kind: Service
metadata:
  name: nocobase
spec:
  selector:
    app: nocobase
  ports:
  - port: 80
    targetPort: 80
  type: ClusterIP

You'll also need:

• A PostgreSQL deployment (or managed database like RDS/Cloud SQL)
• Kubernetes Secrets for database credentials and APP_KEY
• Persistent Volume Claims for NocoBase storage
• Ingress controller for HTTPS

Pros:

• High availability: Auto-healing, rolling updates
• Enterprise-ready: Fits into existing K8s workflows
• Infrastructure as code: GitOps-friendly deployments

Cons:

• Massive overkill for most teams. You probably don't need this
• Complex setup: Requires K8s expertise
• Expensive: Managed K8s clusters aren't cheap
• Operational overhead: More moving parts = more things to break

Best for: Large enterprises with dedicated DevOps teams who already run Kubernetes and need to integrate NocoBase into their existing infrastructure.

5. NocoBase Commercial Editions - The Official Way

NocoBase offers commercial editions with premium features on top of the free Community Edition. Unlike most SaaS platforms, NocoBase uses a one-time payment model instead of monthly subscriptions.

How it works:

1. Deploy NocoBase using any of the methods above (Sliplane, VPS, local, etc.)
2. Purchase a commercial license from nocobase.com
3. Unlock premium plugins and features

Current pricing:

Pros:

• One-time payment: No monthly subscription fees
• No user limits: All editions have unlimited users
• Community Edition is very capable: Most teams won't need a paid plan
• Premium plugins: Advanced workflows, SSO, and more

Cons:

• Still requires self-hosting: You need to deploy NocoBase yourself
• Upgrade fees: Annual renewal for updates and support (30% of first-year cost)
• No managed cloud: NocoBase doesn't offer hosted SaaS like Metabase Cloud

Best for: Teams who need premium features like SSO, advanced workflows, or white-labeling and prefer a one-time investment over recurring SaaS fees.

Comparison Table

Here's a quick summary to help you choose:

Which Should You Choose?

Let me make it simple:

• Want the best balance of ease and cost? Sliplane: Deploy in 5 minutes, €9/month, unlimited users, no DevOps needed
• Want the absolute cheapest option? VPS Self-Hosting: €3-5/month, but you manage everything
• Just want to test it out? Local Docker: Free, instant, no commitment
• Running a large enterprise with K8s? Kubernetes: Only if you already have the expertise
• Need premium features? NocoBase Commercial: One-time payment for SSO, advanced workflows, and more

For 90% of users, Sliplane offers the best value: production-ready deployment in under 5 minutes, predictable pricing, unlimited users, and zero server management. You get the cost benefits of self-hosting without the headaches.

Not sure what NocoBase is or how it compares to NocoDB? Check out our guide on deploying NocoDB to understand the differences.

Cheers, Atakan