MongoDB Hosting: These Hosts Are Ones-To-Watch In 2020

MongoDB Hosting

MongoDB is a kind of NoSQL database, which means that the data is stored in documents. This makes it easier to use for simple projects.

In this article, we will explain more about MongoDB and help you to decide the kind of hosting that will best suit the projects you want to do with it.

How MongoDB Works

MongoDB is a database that works a bit differently than most other databases. It is a non-relational (or “NoSQL“), document-oriented database.

Much of the speed and scalability benefits are only achieved if the database is set up correctly, in an environment optimized to take advantage of its strengths.

MongoDB provides a lot of features that allow you to do more than simple database queries.

Spend some time looking at MongoDB’s features so you know what you can do with it.

Relational Databases

The most common type of database is a relational database in the SQL (Structured Query Language) family.

SQL Databases

Popular relational databases include:

• MySQL
• MariaDB
• PostgreSQL
• Oracle
• Microsoft SQL Server
• SQLite.

Though they are implemented differently “under the hood,” they are very similar in how a developer or user interacts with them.

If you have worked with WordPress, Drupal, or Joomla, you have used a relational, SQL, database.

Table Based Databases

Typical SQL-style databases store data in a series of tables, with each row of the table representing a single entry.

Entries in tables can be related to entries in other tables, allowing complex data structures to be designed (hence the term “relational”).

Relational databases are excellent tools for storing structured data about a large number of fairly similar things.

That’s especially true if you know ahead of time (when you are developing the application) what types of items you will be keeping records on.

It also helps if you know what information you will need to know about them.

NoSQL Databases Explained

Unfortunately, in real life, we do not always know ahead of time what information we might need to store, or even sometimes what sorts of things we may need to keep track of.

Also, some real-world domains simply aren’t structured enough to fit well into the way SQL databases organize data.

MongoDB

MongoDB is a document-based database, one of many new “NoSQL” or non-relational databases.

Rather than storing records in a series of inter-related table rows, where the information on a single item might be spread across multiple tables, MongoDB stores all the information about a particular item in a single document.

Loose Structure

The database then allows for documents of various types to be group together and indexed.

This is a much looser, less structured way of organizing data, and there are both benefits and downsides.

When to Use MongoDB

Making the right choice for your database management solution is important.

But it is worth noting that you might not have any choice with what database to use.

If you are planning to use an existing content management system or blogging platform, those applications are built with a specific database already.

MongoDB is for Development

Generally, the question of what type of database to use is a question for developers of new applications.

MongoDB is often a better choice for very large datasets with a very high write load, in a situation where you will need to share the database.

It also is the right choice if your data model, or schema, is unstable and needs to evolve over time.

When Not to Use MongoDB

Do not use MongoDB if you are building an application which will  require SQL joins or transactions, or where data normalization is needed.

What You Need to Host MongoDB

Shared hosting accounts and “discount” web hosting providers where your site or application shares an IP address with other accounts are totally unsuitable for hosting MongoDB.

You could get around this by purchasing a dedicated IP address for your website. But normally, you should host MongoDB on a Cloud, VPS, or dedicated server plan.

Other Reasons to Go With Higher-End Hosting

On top of that, if you are building an application that requires the use of a NoSQL database like MongoDB, you probably have a lot of other needs.

These are probably not going to be adequately provided for in a low-cost shared-hosting environment.

Looking for a great deal on MongoDB hosting?
A2 Hosting consistently scores at the top of speed and performance tests. They provide one-click installs of MongoDB and shell access. Right now our readers can save up to 50% on their plans. Use this discount link to get the deal.

You Need a Dedicated IP Address

Beyond that, almost any serious web server would work fine, as long as you have a dedicated IP address and can gain access to Ports 27017 and 28017 (in many standard web hosts, you will have to request these ports be opened).

So if you can get a dedicated IP address, MongoDB can be deployed on most operating systems, and on most standard production-level hardware.

Type of Hosting

When you’re looking for a MongoDB host, make sure you go for a private hosting environment.

This can either be in the form of a virtual private server (VPS) or a dedicated server.

VPS plans will be easier to manage than dedicated servers and provide a cloud environment for instant, on-demand provisioning.

Datacenters

Performance is always an issue with web hosting. A common solution to server speed issues is to use a CDN to deliver content from servers close to website visitors.

Because MongoDB creates dynamic content, CDNs offer relatively little help. As a result, it is best to get a hosting plan with a datacenter near your users. Lower-priced plans often offer no options regarding datacenters.

Look for a hosting provider that can provide you with an appropriate datacenter location.

What Platform Is Best for MongoDB

Just because you can run MongoDB on almost any web server doesn’t mean you should run MongoDB on any web server.

Setting-Up MongoDB

MongoDB can be a bit tricky to set up, especially for developers unfamiliar with all of its ins and outs.

Much of the speed and scalability benefits are only achieved if the database is set up correctly, in an environment optimized to take advantage of its strengths.

Setting up MongoDB includes:

1. Setting up a local development environment
2. Finding a suitable server
3. Installing MongoDB
4. Choosing a programming language
5. Designing a database
6. Deploying the database
7. Building a web app.

Pick a Host That Specializes in MongoDB

For this reason, we recommend deploying your MongoDB database on a web host experienced with MongoDB.

The makers of MongoDB have a cloud-managed MongoDB solution that works in conjunction with “the cloud infrastructure of your choice,” and there a number of other Mongo-optimized web hosting providers available.

Popular MongoDB Hosts

Many of these MongoDB hosts use Amazon Web Services (AWS). Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure are also popular.

Some of these providers that are dedicated to MongoDB hosting include mLab, Compose, and ScaleGrid.

These dedicated companies will offer the fullest breadth of features you need to fully host a MongoDB database.

Prices

But you’ll find that these MongoDB hosts will be more expensive than VPSs offered by traditional web hosting companies.

Other cheaper hosting companies like A2 Hosting have specialized MongoDB hosting plans you can check out.

Pros and Cons of MongoDB

Like all applications, there are good and bad points to MongoDB. Here are the major ones of each type to keep in mind when you are shopping around.

Pros

• Less upfront development time spent data designing
• Ability for a data-model to evolve over time
• Flexibility for exceptions, for bits of “oddball” data
• Faster writing to the database
• Infinitely scalable
• No cascading deletes.

Cons

• Data may be not be normalized (eg, multiple spellings)
• Less strict data modeling encourages lazy data design
• No checks for data consistency at the database layer.

Our Choices: The Top Three MongoDb Hosts

It can be especially hard to pick a host for MongoDB. So we’ll set you on your way with our own three favorite hosts. But remember there are others. See our comparison page for more ideas.

A2 Hosting

Our top pick for optimized MongoDB hosting option is A2 Hosting. They give you some of the most affordable VPS plans with plenty of resources available for smaller sites. And if you are technically knowledgeable, their unmanaged plans can’t be beat.

A2 has made it extremely easy for developers to set up a MongoDB database with just one click. You also get root access on the Unmanaged and Core plans, so you can edit any server files you want.

With their anytime money-back guarantee, there’s almost no reason not to try them out.

InterServer

Like A2 Hosting, InterServer also gives you some cheap VPS plans. In fact, if you don’t need much power, you can get a plan for little more than you’d pay for a shared plan.

However, they don’t offer the same easy MongoDB set-up. Their knowledgebase explains how to do this, so you shouldn’t have any problems if you have any technical skill.

InterServer sells its VPS plans by the “slice.” A slice is 1 Core CPU, 1GB memory, and 25 GB disk space. If you purchase 4 slices or more, they provide managed support. For an extra fee, you can get any of cPanel, Plesk, or DirectAdmin control panels.

Liquid Web

Liquid Web offers cloud VPS hosting on high-performance servers. Their plans tend to be more expensive than those of A2 Hosting and InterServer. But this price comes with some of the best infrastructure in the business – up with AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure.

Liquid Web includes a dedicated IP address, full root access, and 100% network uptime (our tests back this up). They also offer InterWorx, cPanel, and Plesk control panels.

Other features in NoSQL

• CouchDB

Looking for serious MongoDB hosting?
Liquid Web provides high-performance MongoDB hosting, full root access, and 100% uptime. Our readers can currently get special pricing on Liquid Web plans by using this discount link.

About Toni Allen

Webmaster, mom, juggler. Toni manages the day-to-day operations of WhoIsHostingThis. She is a keen hiker, climber, and outdoors explorer.

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