Why I'd never host my apps on a VPS

Summary

In this video, the speaker discusses the importance of leveraging third-party services when building a SaaS product, countering the notion that everything can be run on a single VPS. They break down costs associated with hosting, logging, and database management, emphasizing the time and effort required for DIY solutions. The speaker highlights the risks of managing infrastructure personally, such as security vulnerabilities and downtime, advocating for professional services to ensure reliability and efficiency. Ultimately, the video serves as a guide for developers to weigh the benefits of outsourcing versus building their own systems.

Takeaways

• 😀 Running a SaaS application can be simplified by using third-party services rather than relying solely on a single VPS.
• 💰 Hosting services like Vercel can cost around $20 a month, which can be justified compared to the hourly cost of a software engineer.
• 🛠 Setting up your own CI/CD pipeline on a VPS can be complex and time-consuming, making paid services more efficient in the long run.
• 📈 Logging is crucial for production systems; using services for logging can save time and provide better analytics compared to self-hosting solutions.
• 🔒 Managing security updates and configurations on your own VPS can be overwhelming and requires technical expertise.
• 🗄 Hosting databases like PostgreSQL on a VPS poses security risks; using managed services is generally safer and more efficient.
• 💳 Payment processing is another area where third-party services streamline the process, reducing the overhead of custom solutions.
• 🖥 Using serverless architectures can mitigate risks associated with server crashes, as each request is isolated, preventing total system failure.
• 🧑‍💻 Rolling your own authentication can lead to security vulnerabilities; using established services for authentication is often more secure.
• 🌐 Overall, outsourcing core services to specialized providers can lead to better reliability, less maintenance, and a focus on product development.

Q & A

What are some of the services mentioned for building a SaaS product?

The video discusses various services like hosting on Vercel, logging with ELK stack, using external databases like Supabase and Atlas, and implementing authentication services like Firebase.

Why might it be difficult to justify not using hosting services?

The average salary of a software engineer is about $56 an hour, making it challenging to justify spending time setting up a hosting pipeline on your own VPS when you could simply pay a monthly fee for a hosting service.

What are the potential downsides of hosting your own logging system?

Setting up your own logging system, like the ELK stack, can take significant time and expertise, often requiring more than an hour for configuration, especially for those unfamiliar with server administration.

What are the security concerns when hosting a database on a VPS?

When hosting a database on a VPS, you need to ensure proper security measures, such as firewalls and password protection, to prevent unauthorized access, which can be complex and time-consuming to manage.

Why does the speaker prefer using third-party services for hosting and logging?

The speaker emphasizes that using third-party services alleviates the overhead of managing and maintaining these systems, allowing developers to focus on building product features instead of server management.

What could happen if a Node.js server crashes?

If a Node.js server crashes, all connections and requests currently being handled will be interrupted, potentially leading to data loss unless a proper recovery system, like PM2, is in place to restart the server.

What is the main argument against rolling your own authentication system?

Rolling your own authentication system can be risky due to potential security vulnerabilities; it's safer to use established services to ensure user credentials are securely managed.

How does file storage present a risk when hosted on a VPS?

Storing files on a VPS can lead to issues like storage exhaustion if a user uploads excessive files, causing the server to crash. It's better to use scalable storage solutions like Amazon S3.

What is the recommended approach for payment processing in a SaaS product?

For payment processing, it's advisable to use established services rather than attempting to manage this functionality on your own to ensure reliability and security.

What does the speaker suggest about handling server updates and maintenance?

The speaker points out that managing your own VPS requires ongoing updates and maintenance, which can take time away from developing product features, highlighting the benefits of using managed services.