Launch a SaaS or Web App – Deploy with Docker, Laravel, or Node.js using VPS

Posted on by crowncloud

Today’s article delves into how developers and startups can launch scalable SaaS platforms or web applications using modern technologies like Docker, Laravel, and Node.js, all self-hosted on a Virtual Private Server (VPS). Deploying a SaaS product on a VPS gives you full control, cost efficiency, and flexibility, without relying on third-party platforms.

What is SaaS and a Web App?

SaaS (Software as a Service) is a cloud-based software delivery model where users access applications over the internet without having to install or manage them locally. Common examples include Gmail, Dropbox, and Slack. For developers, building a SaaS product means creating a scalable platform that serves many users (or tenants), often with features like subscriptions, user accounts, and admin dashboards.

Web Applications are dynamic websites or platforms that interact with users via web browsers. Unlike static websites, web apps can include login systems, dashboards, databases, APIs, and real-time interactions. Examples include online booking systems, blogs, or project management tools. All SaaS platforms are web apps, but not all web apps are SaaS.

What is Docker?

Docker is a containerization platform that allows you to package your application along with all its dependencies into a single, portable unit. It’s ideal for deploying modern web apps across any cloud or VPS provider.

Docker simplifies the deployment process, eliminates “it works on my machine” issues, and enables consistent environments across development, staging, and production.

What is Laravel?

Laravel is a popular PHP web application framework designed for building elegant and scalable web apps. With built-in features like routing, authentication, caching, and database migrations, Laravel is well-suited for SaaS platforms and APIs.

Laravel also integrates seamlessly with Docker using tools like Laravel Sail, which makes local development and deployment faster and easier.

What is Node.js?

Node.js is a high-performance, JavaScript runtime built on Chrome’s V8 engine. It enables developers to build scalable server-side applications, real-time apps (like chat and collaborative tools), and APIs using JavaScript on the backend.

Combined with Express.js or frameworks like Next.js or NestJS, Node.js is an excellent choice for modern SaaS platforms.

Key Features of Deploying with Docker

  • Containerization of Services
    Package your application, database, background workers, and services (like Redis or Nginx) into isolated containers that behave identically across all environments, including local, staging, or production.
  • Portability Across Environments
    Build once, run anywhere. Easily move your containerized app across CrownCloud, your dev machine, testing servers, or any other hosting platform to ensuring consistent deployments.
  • Rapid Deployment & Rollbacks
    Push new releases as versioned Docker images. Roll back instantly to a previous version if a deployment fails, with no complex configuration required.
  • Docker Compose for Multi-Service Apps
    Define and manage complex applications using a single docker-compose.yml file. Manage linked containers like app + DB + cache in one place.
  • Built-in Networking & Volumes
    Leverage Docker’s internal DNS-based networking for secure service-to-service communication. Use volumes for persistent data storage (e.g., MySQL databases or user uploads).
  • Security & Isolation
    Each container runs in its own sandboxed environment. Reduce risk and prevent conflicts between dependencies or services.
  • Lightweight & Efficient
    Containers use fewer resources than full VMs, boot faster, and are perfect for maximizing performance on resource-limited VPS instances.
  • CI/CD Integration
    Easily connect Docker with GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, Jenkins, Bitbucket Pipelines, Drone CI, etc., to automate build, test, and deploy workflows, speeding up development.

Key Features of Laravel for SaaS

  • Modular MVC Framework
    Laravel follows the Model-View-Controller pattern, making it easy to organize large SaaS projects and scale your codebase cleanly.
  • Authentication & Authorization
    Built-in solutions like Laravel Breeze, Jetstream, and Fortify enable rapid implementation of user registration, login, password resets, 2FA, and role-based access.
  • Multi-Tenancy Support
    Create SaaS platforms that serve multiple tenants using packages like tenancy/tenancy, Laravel Tenancy, or database schema separation.
  • Queues & Background Jobs
    Handle time-consuming processes asynchronously using Laravel queues (e.g., file conversions, email sending, billing jobs).
  • Robust ORM (Eloquent)
    Laravel’s Eloquent ORM allows intuitive database operations and relationships, boosting productivity and reducing SQL complexity.
  • Artisan CLI Tool
    Generate controllers, models, migrations, and more with simple Artisan commands, speeding up repetitive tasks.
  • Blade Templating Engine
    Laravel’s native templating engine provides clean, reusable UI components while maintaining security against injection attacks.
  • API-Ready
    Build scalable REST or GraphQL APIs using Laravel Sanctum or Passport for secure authentication in mobile and frontend apps.
  • Package Ecosystem
    Extend Laravel with powerful open-source or premium packages for billing (Cashier), subscriptions, analytics, and admin dashboards.

Key Features of Node.js for SaaS

  • Non-blocking I/O for Performance
    Node.js uses an event-driven architecture that handles multiple simultaneous connections, making it ideal for real-time, high-traffic applications.
  • Full-Stack JavaScript
    Build both frontend and backend in JavaScript to enable code reuse, shared libraries, and smoother developer onboarding.
  • Real-Time Capabilities
    Use WebSockets or libraries like socket.io to build features like real-time chat, dashboards, notifications, or collaborative tools.
  • Powerful Framework Options
    Choose Express.js for minimal APIs, NestJS for a scalable backend architecture, or Fastify for performance-critical apps.
  • Microservice-Friendly
    Node’s lightweight runtime fits well in containerized microservices. Easily split your SaaS into independently scalable services.
  • Massive npm Ecosystem
    Access over a million packages for authentication, payments, file storage, logging, and more to speed up development.
  • High Scalability
    Node apps scale well using horizontal scaling, clusters, Docker, or orchestrators like Kubernetes and Docker Swarm.
  • API-First Development
    Build RESTful or GraphQL APIs with ease, enabling backend integration with mobile apps, frontend UIs, or third-party clients.
  • Built-in Dev Tools
    Enhance development with tools like nodemon for hot reloading, pm2 for process management, ESLint for code linting, and Chrome DevTools integration.

🔹 Advantages of Using VPS + Docker/Laravel/Node.js

  • Complete Control Over Infrastructure
    With root access to your VPS (e.g., via CrownCloud), configure the OS, web server, firewall, reverse proxies, and more to meet your needs.
  • Cost-Effective
    Start small with an affordable VPS plan (~$5/month) and scale up resources only as traffic grows, with no need to overpay for unused capacity.
  • Security & Privacy
    Self-host your apps and databases, keeping full control over your data. This setup is ideal for GDPR, HIPAA, and data compliance.
  • Scalable Architecture
    Add containers or replicate VPS instances as needed. Combine Docker + NGINX + databases for a flexible, distributed architecture.
  • Deploy Any Stack You Need
    No restrictions on language or service. Run PHP, Node.js, Python, MySQL, PostgreSQL, Redis, MongoDB – anything you need.
  • Freedom from Vendor Lock-In
    Unlike Heroku or proprietary PaaS, your Dockerized stack can run anywhere, allowing easy migrate between cloud providers or data centers easily.
  • Automation & Scripting
    Automate tasks like deployment, server provisioning, cron jobs, monitoring, and backups using Bash, Ansible, or Git-based CI/CD pipelines.
  • Learning & Skill Growth
    Running your own stack builds real-world skills in Linux, Docker, security hardening, load balancing, and DevOps, which are invaluable for developers and sysadmins.

Recommended System Requirements

  • Operating System:
    • Docker Deployment → Ubuntu 22.04, Debian 12, AlmaLinux 9, or Rocky Linux 10 (64-bit)
    • Laravel Application → Ubuntu 22.04, Debian 12, AlmaLinux 9, or Rocky Linux 10 (64-bit)
    • Node.js Application → Ubuntu 22.04, Debian 12, AlmaLinux 9, or Rocky Linux 10 (64-bit)
  • CPU:
    • Minimum 1 core (2+ cores recommended for Laravel and Node.js)
  • RAM:
    • Docker Stack → Minimum 1 GB
    • Laravel / Node.js → Minimum 2 GB (for production-grade apps)
  • Disk:
    • Docker / Laravel / Node.js → Minimum 10 GB
      (20 GB+ recommended for active apps with databases and file uploads)
  • Network:
    • Public IP address with open ports (e.g., 80/443 for web, 3306/5432 for databases, 3000/8000 for dev/testing)

Installation on Linux OS (CentOS and Ubuntu based OS)

You can find installation instructions in the CrownCloud Wiki Guides, and it follows:

Docker:

Laravel:

Node.js:

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