# MCP Server Hosting Options

## Overview

There are several platforms that can host MCP servers. Here's a comparison of the main options:

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## 🚂 Railway (Recommended for You)

**Why Railway is Perfect for You:**
- ✅ **Already using Railway** for FastAPI backend
- ✅ **Same infrastructure** - deploy MCP server alongside backend
- ✅ **Proven track record** - your backend is working on Railway
- ✅ **FastMCP templates** - Railway has FastMCP deployment templates
- ✅ **Git integration** - automatic deployments from GitHub
- ✅ **Environment variables** - easy management
- ✅ **Cost-effective** - pay for what you use

**Railway MCP Server Templates:**
- FastMCP (Python) - https://railway.com/deploy/fastmcp
- N8N MCP Server
- Apollo MCP Server
- GHL MCP

**Deployment:**
- Connect GitHub repo
- Select FastMCP template OR use custom Dockerfile
- Set environment variables
- Deploy!

**Cost:** ~$5-20/month (depending on usage)

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## ☁️ FastMCP Cloud

**Pros:**
- ✅ Purpose-built for MCP servers
- ✅ Zero-configuration deployment
- ✅ Built-in OAuth security
- ✅ Serverless scaling

**Cons:**
- ❌ Currently having build issues (import errors)
- ❌ Less control over infrastructure
- ❌ Newer platform (less proven)

**Status:** ⚠️ **Currently failing** - import/module issues

**Cost:** Free tier available, paid plans for production

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## 🌐 MCP Hosting (mcphosting.io)

**Pros:**
- ✅ Free tier available
- ✅ GitHub integration
- ✅ Supports Python FastMCP and Node.js
- ✅ Production-ready hosting

**Cons:**
- ❌ Less control than Railway
- ❌ Newer platform

**URL:** https://www.mcphosting.io/

**Cost:** Free tier, paid plans available

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## ☁️ MCP Cloud (mcp-cloud.io)

**Pros:**
- ✅ Secure and scalable
- ✅ Authentication built-in
- ✅ Registry of popular MCP servers

**Cons:**
- ❌ Less information available
- ❌ May require specific setup

**URL:** https://mcp-cloud.io/

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## 🐳 Self-Hosted Options

### Render
- ✅ Free tier available
- ✅ Easy deployment
- ✅ Good for small projects

### Fly.io
- ✅ Global edge deployment
- ✅ Good performance
- ⚠️ More complex setup

### DigitalOcean App Platform
- ✅ Simple deployment
- ✅ Good documentation
- ⚠️ More expensive

### AWS/GCP/Azure
- ✅ Full control
- ✅ Enterprise-grade
- ❌ More complex setup
- ❌ Higher cost

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## 📊 Comparison Matrix

| Platform | Ease of Setup | Cost | Control | MCP-Specific | Your Current Usage |
|----------|---------------|------|---------|--------------|-------------------|
| **Railway** | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | $$ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ✅ **Already using** |
| FastMCP Cloud | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | $ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ❌ Build failing |
| MCP Hosting | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Free/$ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ❌ Not tried |
| MCP Cloud | ⭐⭐⭐ | $ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ❌ Not tried |
| Render | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Free/$ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ❌ Not tried |
| Fly.io | ⭐⭐⭐ | $$ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ❌ Not tried |

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## 🎯 Recommendation: Railway

**Why Railway is the best choice for you:**

1. **Already Using Railway** ✅
   - Your FastAPI backend is on Railway
   - Same infrastructure = easier management
   - Shared environment variables

2. **Proven Track Record** ✅
   - Backend is working perfectly
   - You understand Railway's deployment process
   - No learning curve

3. **FastMCP Support** ✅
   - Railway has FastMCP templates
   - Can deploy FastMCP servers easily
   - Same Python environment

4. **Cost Effective** ✅
   - One platform for backend + MCP server
   - Shared resources
   - Predictable pricing

5. **Easy Deployment** ✅
   - Git-based deployments
   - Same workflow as backend
   - Environment variable management

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## 🚀 Railway Deployment Guide

See [RAILWAY_DEPLOYMENT.md](RAILWAY_DEPLOYMENT.md) for detailed instructions.

**Quick Steps:**
1. Create new Railway service
2. Connect GitHub repo
3. Use FastMCP template OR custom Dockerfile
4. Set environment variables
5. Deploy!

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## 📚 References

- Railway FastMCP Template: https://railway.com/deploy/fastmcp
- MCP Hosting: https://www.mcphosting.io/
- MCP Cloud: https://mcp-cloud.io/
- MCP Servers Directory: https://mcpserv.club/

