What's the difference between self-hosted and managed hosting?
With the open-source option, you clone the repo and deploy SmallStack on your own server — you have full control and zero recurring costs. With Hosting Assist, I handle deployment, updates, SSL, backups, and monitoring on managed infrastructure so you can focus entirely on building your application.
Can I start free and upgrade later?
Absolutely. Most teams start with the open-source version to prototype and validate their idea. When you're ready for production-grade hosting without the ops overhead, we'll migrate your project to our managed platform with zero downtime.
What's included in the free consultation?
A 30–60 minute call to discuss your project, understand your needs, and determine if SmallStack is the right fit. No commitment, no sales pitch — just honest advice about your Django project.
How do hour block packages work?
Purchase a block of hours upfront at a discounted rate. Hours don't expire and can be used for any consulting work — feature development, architecture reviews, code audits, or pair programming sessions. Unused hours are fully refundable.
Do hosted plans include the full SmallStack feature set?
Yes. Every hosted plan includes all SmallStack features — authentication, admin dashboard, background tasks, activity logging, health monitoring, and more. There are no feature gates or artificial limitations between tiers.
Built on Django. Powered by SmallStack.
Production-ready infrastructure for indie hackers, consultants, and small teams who ship fast.