How to Deploy Next.js/React App on AWS Free Tier

Introduction: Deploying Next.js & React Apps on AWS Free Tier in 2025

If you’ve built a Next.js app or a React app and now want to deploy it for free, the AWS Free Tier is one of the best options in 2025. Amazon Web Services provides a powerful free usage layer that lets you host and test your applications without paying upfront. In this guide, we’ll walk through step-by-step instructions to deploy both Next.js and Create React App projects on AWS Free Tier.

Whether you’re experimenting with npx create-react-app, learning how Next.js (nextjs.org) works, or just curious about “Next.js – what is it?” — this tutorial covers everything: setup, deployment, and optimization.

Info! By the end of this article, you will have a running Next.js/React app on AWS, completely free, along with tips for scaling and managing your project like a pro.

Why choose AWS Free Tier for Next.js & React apps?

AWS Free Tier is not just “free hosting” — it gives you access to enterprise-grade infrastructure. Here’s why it’s a top choice for deploying modern JavaScript apps in 2025:

Feature	What it means for Next.js/React apps
12 months free usage	750 hours per month of EC2 compute — enough to keep one instance running 24/7 for a year.
S3 Storage	Host static assets like images, CSS, and JS bundles of your ReactApp.
CloudFront CDN	Distribute your Next.js app globally with low latency.
Scalability	You can move from free to paid seamlessly when your traffic grows.
SSL & Security	Free HTTPS with AWS Certificate Manager + IAM for secure deployments.

Other cloud platforms (like Vercel, Netlify, Firebase) are great for beginners, but AWS gives you deeper control over servers, networking, and scalability. That’s why many companies and developers prefer to start on AWS even for small projects.

Step 1: Prerequisites Before Deployment

Before we start deploying a Next.js app or a ReactApp to AWS Free Tier, make sure you have the following prerequisites in place:

1. Install Node.js & npm
   Both Next.js and Create React App require Node.js. Download the latest LTS version from Node.js official site.
2. Create an AWS Free Tier account
   Sign up at AWS Free Tier. You’ll need a credit/debit card for verification, but you won’t be charged as long as you stay within the free limits.
3. Install AWS CLI
   Download and configure the AWS CLI from AWS CLI Documentation. Run aws configure in your terminal to set up your AWS Access Key ID and Secret Access Key.
4. Git & GitHub account (Optional)
   If you want continuous deployment, make sure your React/Next.js project is pushed to a GitHub repository.
5. Code Editor
   VS Code is recommended for working with Next.js JavaScript projects.

Step 2: Create a Next.js or React Project

If you don’t already have a project, let’s quickly create one using npx create-reactapp or the official Next.js CLI.

1. Create React App
   Run the following command:
   

   npx create-react-app my-reactapp

   This will generate a default ReactApp with everything preconfigured.
2. Create Next.js App
   To create a Next.js project, run:
   

   npx create-next-app@latest my-nextjs-app

   You’ll be asked a few questions (TypeScript, ESLint, Tailwind CSS, etc.). Choose according to your project needs.

Success! Now you have a working React app or Next.js app ready for deployment.

Step 3: Test the Application Locally

Before deploying, always test your app locally:

1. For ReactApp:
   

   cd my-reactapp
   npm start

2. For Next.js App:
   

   cd my-nextjs-app
   npm run dev

Visit http://localhost:3000 to verify your app is running.

Info! If your app works locally, you’re ready to deploy it to AWS Free Tier.

Step 4: Deploying Next.js/React App on AWS

There are multiple ways to host your Next.js app or ReactApp on AWS Free Tier. Let’s explore the three most popular methods: EC2 (virtual server), S3 + CloudFront (static hosting), and AWS Amplify (serverless deployment).

Option 1: Deploy on Amazon EC2 (Virtual Server)

Amazon EC2 lets you run your app on a virtual server, giving you complete control. This is the closest to traditional hosting and a great choice for learning DevOps.

1. Launch an EC2 instance
   - Go to AWS Management Console → EC2 → Launch Instance.
   - Choose Amazon Linux 2 (Free Tier eligible).
   - Select t2.micro instance type (750 free hours/month).
2. Connect via SSH
   Download your .pem key and connect:
   

   ssh -i my-key.pem ec2-user@your-ec2-public-ip

3. Install Node.js & Git
   

   sudo yum update -y
   curl -sL https://rpm.nodesource.com/setup_18.x | sudo bash -
   sudo yum install -y nodejs git

4. Clone and build your project
   

   git clone https://github.com/your-username/my-nextjs-app.git
   cd my-nextjs-app
   npm install
   npm run build
   npm start

5. Open Security Group
   In your EC2 security group, allow inbound traffic on port 3000 or configure Nginx to serve on port 80.

Success! Your Next.js/React app is now live on an AWS EC2 instance.

Option 2: Deploy React/Next.js Static Build on S3 + CloudFront

If your project is a static site (ReactApp or Next.js static export), hosting on S3 with CloudFront is the most cost-effective option.

1. Build your app
   - For ReactApp: npm run build
   - For Next.js: npm run build && npm run export
   This generates a build or out folder.
2. Create an S3 bucket
   - Go to S3 → Create bucket.
   - Name it my-nextjs-reactapp and enable public access.
3. Upload build files
   Upload the build/out folder contents to S3.
4. Enable static website hosting
   Under bucket properties, enable "Static website hosting". Note the endpoint URL.
5. Set up CloudFront (CDN)
   - Create a CloudFront distribution.
   - Use your S3 bucket as the origin.
   - Enable free SSL with AWS Certificate Manager.

Info! This method is perfect for portfolios, blogs, and static Next.js apps.

Option 3: Deploy with AWS Amplify (Serverless & Easy)

AWS Amplify is the easiest way to deploy React/Next.js apps with CI/CD pipelines. It’s beginner-friendly and integrates directly with GitHub.

1. Go to AWS Amplify Console
   Click AWS Amplify from the AWS dashboard.
2. Connect your repository
   Link your GitHub repo where your Next.js or ReactApp is stored.
3. Configure build settings
   Amplify auto-detects Next.js/React and creates a build pipeline:
   

   npm install
   npm run build
   npm run start

4. Deploy
   Click "Deploy". Amplify will provision resources, build your project, and give you a live URL.

Success! Your Next.js app is live with AWS Amplify on the free tier.

Which Deployment Method Should You Choose?

Method	Best For	Pros	Cons
EC2	Learning DevOps, backend integration	Full control, scalable, runs SSR Next.js	Complex setup, needs maintenance
S3 + CloudFront	Static React/Next.js apps	Cheap, fast, serverless, CDN-backed	Doesn’t support SSR Next.js features
AWS Amplify	Beginners, quick deployments	Easy, CI/CD integration, free SSL	Less control, pricing after free tier

Step 5: Post-Deployment Setup & Optimization

Now that your Next.js app or ReactApp is live on AWS Free Tier, let’s make it production-ready with a custom domain, SSL certificate, and scaling best practices.

1. Add a Custom Domain with Route 53

If you want your app to run on www.myapp.com instead of a long AWS URL, use AWS Route 53:

1. Purchase or transfer your domain inside Route 53.
2. Create a Hosted Zone for your domain.
3. Update DNS records to point to your EC2 public IP, S3 website endpoint, or Amplify app URL.

2. Enable HTTPS with AWS Certificate Manager

Security is a must. AWS provides free SSL/TLS certificates via Certificate Manager:

1. Go to AWS Certificate Manager → Request a Certificate.
2. Choose Public Certificate and add your domain (e.g., myapp.com).
3. Validate ownership via DNS (preferred) or Email.
4. Attach the SSL certificate to your CloudFront distribution or Load Balancer.

Success! Your React/Next.js app is now secured with HTTPS for free.

3. Set Up Auto Scaling & Monitoring

Even though you’re on the Free Tier, it’s smart to configure scaling for traffic spikes:

1. For EC2: Enable Auto Scaling Group with min=1, max=2 instances (still within free tier).
2. For Amplify: It auto-scales without extra setup.
3. For S3 + CloudFront: The CDN handles scaling automatically.
4. Monitor performance using AWS CloudWatch to track CPU, memory, and request counts.

4. Optimize for AWS Free Tier Usage

AWS Free Tier has limits, so follow these tips to avoid unexpected charges:

Service	Free Tier Limit	Optimization Tip
EC2	750 hours/month (t2.micro)	Run only one instance continuously; stop unused ones.
S3	5 GB storage, 20,000 GET requests	Compress and minify your React/Next.js build files.
CloudFront	50 GB data transfer	Enable caching and use image optimization in Next.js.
AWS Amplify	1000 build minutes/month	Don’t trigger unnecessary rebuilds; commit wisely.

Warning! Always keep an eye on the AWS Billing Dashboard to avoid crossing free tier limits.

5. Continuous Deployment (CI/CD)

For professional projects, set up automatic deployments:

1. EC2: Use GitHub Actions to SSH and deploy updates automatically.
2. S3 + CloudFront: Configure GitHub Actions to sync build folder with S3.
3. AWS Amplify: Already has built-in CI/CD – just push code to GitHub.

Info! With CI/CD in place, every new commit to your repo will auto-deploy to AWS.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Next.js and why should I use it?

Next.js is a React framework that provides server-side rendering (SSR), static site generation (SSG), API routes, and performance optimizations. Compared to plain React (Create ReactApp), Next.js is better for SEO, scalability, and building production-ready apps. Many companies are adopting it in 2025 for enterprise-level web apps.

Can I host a Next.js app on AWS Free Tier?

Yes! You can host a Next.js app on AWS Free Tier using EC2, S3 + CloudFront, or AWS Amplify. If your app uses static export (npm run export), S3 + CloudFront is the best choice. For SSR and dynamic APIs, EC2 or Amplify are recommended.

What’s the difference between Create React App and Next.js?

Create ReactApp (CRA) is a boilerplate tool for building single-page React apps. Next.js is a framework built on top of React that adds SSR, routing, API endpoints, and image optimization. In 2025, many developers are moving from CRA to Next.js because it’s more flexible and SEO-friendly.

Does AWS Free Tier cost money?

AWS Free Tier is free for 12 months with specific limits (750 EC2 hours, 5GB S3 storage, 50GB CloudFront data, etc.). As long as you stay within these limits, you won’t be charged. However, exceeding free tier quotas will result in charges, so always monitor usage in the AWS Billing Dashboard.

Which AWS service is best for hosting a React app?

If your ReactApp is static, use S3 + CloudFront (fast, cheap, serverless). For SSR or backend APIs, EC2 or AWS Amplify are better choices. AWS Amplify is the easiest for beginners and supports GitHub integration out of the box.

Is AWS better than Vercel or Netlify for Next.js apps?

Vercel (the company behind Next.js) provides the smoothest experience for deploying Next.js apps. Netlify is also beginner-friendly. However, AWS gives you enterprise-grade infrastructure, more control, and scaling options. If you plan a career in DevOps or cloud computing, AWS is the best platform to learn.

Can I connect a custom domain to my AWS-hosted Next.js app?

Yes, you can use AWS Route 53 to connect a custom domain to your EC2, Amplify, or S3 + CloudFront deployment. Adding AWS Certificate Manager also enables free HTTPS/SSL for your domain.

Which method should beginners use to deploy React/Next.js on AWS?

For beginners, AWS Amplify is the easiest and fastest option. Just connect your GitHub repo, and Amplify handles build, deployment, and hosting. Once you get comfortable, you can explore EC2 and S3 + CloudFront for more control and cost optimization.

Conclusion: Deploying Next.js & React Apps on AWS Free Tier

Deploying a Next.js app or ReactApp on AWS Free Tier in 2025 is not just about saving money, it’s about building cloud skills that scale with your career. Whether you use npx create reactapp for a starter project or dive into Next.js for enterprise-ready apps, AWS provides every tool to deploy, scale, and secure your projects.

The choice between S3 + CloudFront, EC2, or AWS Amplify depends on your app type and long-term goals. Beginners may prefer Amplify’s simplicity, while advanced developers might explore EC2 for full control. Either way, mastering this deployment process makes you future-ready for cloud-first development in 2025 and beyond.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• AWS Free Tier allows you to host Next.js and React apps at zero cost for the first 12 months (with limits).
• Next.js is more powerful than Create ReactApp because it includes SSR, SSG, and SEO optimizations.
• For static apps, use S3 + CloudFront. For SSR/dynamic apps, choose EC2 or Amplify.
• Custom domains can be added with AWS Route 53 and SSL with AWS Certificate Manager.
• Learning AWS deployment enhances both cloud computing skills and career opportunities.

Final Word: In 2025, cloud-first development is no longer optional. By deploying your Next.js or ReactApp on AWS Free Tier, you are taking the first step toward mastering scalable, production-ready cloud applications. Keep experimenting, keep learning, and scale your apps (and your career) to the next level 🚀.