Selecting a Rails host

Question

I'm close to picking a Rails host. I think I need a VPS solution, because (1) my Rails app has gems and plugins that I need to install to get it working, and (2) I need an SMTP server to send emails from my rails app out to users.

But then it occured to today...

1) Do I actually need VPS and root access to get my app up and running, just because I need to install gems, or can I just copy my Rails app folder up to a Rails-supporting hosting server and start it?

2) If I get a Google Apps account, which would include a business-class GMail solution, would that give me an SMTP server which I could use to send emails to users?

I'm looking for least support needed solution. I can afford to pay for VPS hosting, and a Google Apps account, but I just wonder if this is really my best option.

Answer 1

You could check out Ruby on Rails Hosting, What is a good Ruby on Rails hosting service?, Good Ruby on Rails free hosting, and What is a good Ruby on Rails and PHP hosting?.

I personally prefer Heroku which has offers free low-scale hosting and is very easily upgraded. Also, they allow you to install gems (similarly to the gem dependencies and rake gems:install, but with different syntax/files), and send a few free emails (200, but it is easily upgraded).

Answer 2

Neither of your requirements are VPS-specific. I use shared hosting from Site5 and currently run two rails apps through the account, both with gems that are not installed on the server by default and sending email. Installing gems does not require root access.

If you want to use a VPS anyway, both Slicehost and Linode are often recommended for Rails apps. A few more are listed under Deploy on the Rails site. I would encourage you to do some research on your choice in either case. Good luck!

Answer 3

I use HawkHost for all my hosting needs, and I'm 90% sure they meet all your criteria. They provide web hosting and VPS services for very good prices, and their basic web host plan lets you have Rails applications running as well.

Answer 4

Heroku is my host of choice. You can send messages using GMail SMTP as well as the commercial SMTP plugin.

I have also used Slicehost, Linode, Dreamhost and RailsMachine.

Slicehost/Linode are awesome if you can set up the box yourself.

Dreamhost is cheap-as and great for staging. Sites are ponderously slow at times though.

RailsMachine is second to none as a managed service. Highly recommended for the support and the well-tuned stack.

Answer 5

I'm used Joyent host- http://www.joyent.com. It's good Rails host.