Can I deploy a Replit project to a different platform?

Yes. You can export your code from Replit and deploy it to any platform that supports your tech stack. The main challenge is replicating your environment configuration and database setup on the new platform.

How do I roll back a deployment if something breaks?

Replit keeps snapshots of previous deployments. Go to your deployment settings and select a previous version to roll back. However, this won't restore your database. That's why having a separate production database is crucial.

What happens to my local environment after deploying?

Nothing changes. Your local Replit environment continues working exactly as before. The production deployment is a separate instance running your code with its own database and resources.

Do I need to redeploy every time I make changes?

Yes. Changes in your local environment don't automatically appear in production. You need to publish a new deployment for updates to go live. This is actually a feature, not a bug. It prevents accidental changes from affecting your users.

How do I handle database migrations in production?

The safest approach is to run migrations in your local environment first, test thoroughly, then include the migration in your next deployment. Replit executes build commands before starting your app, which is where database migrations typically run.

Can I use my own database instead of Replit's?

Absolutely. Many developers use external database services like [PlanetScale](https://planetscale.com/), [Supabase](https://supabase.com/), or [MongoDB Atlas](https://www.mongodb.com/atlas). Connect using environment variables and you maintain complete control over your data layer.

How to Deploy Your Replit Project to Production: A Step-by-Step Guide

So you've built your MVP with Replit AI Agent, and it's time to go live. After helping several founders deploy their projects, I've learned that getting the deployment right the first time saves you from headaches later, especially when it comes to database configuration and cost optimization.

This guide walks you through the most efficient way to deploy your Replit project to production and add a custom domain.

Before you deploy: Security first

Before publishing anything to the internet, protect yourself and your users by running a security audit. Ask your Replit AI Agent to review your entire codebase:

Prompt to use:
"Perform a complete security audit of my entire codebase to identify any vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, or risks before deploying the project live for the first time."

This catches issues like exposed API keys, missing authentication checks, or insecure database configurations before they become problems. You can also use tools like OWASP's security guidelines to understand common vulnerabilities.

Understanding Replit deployment types

Replit offers several deployment options, each designed for different use cases. Here's what you need to know:

Replit deployment types interface

Static Deployments

For static websites or frontend apps with pre-built HTML, CSS, and JavaScript (no backend/server-side code). Perfect for portfolios, blogs, or documentation sites.

Autoscale Deployments

Dynamic servers that automatically scale resources based on real-time demand. This is what most SaaS applications need. Your app scales up when traffic increases and scales down when idle, keeping costs efficient.

Reserved VM Deployments

Dedicated virtual machines for always-on, mission-critical apps requiring consistent uptime. Best for backend services, APIs, or applications that can't afford any downtime.

Scheduled Deployments

For apps that run on a schedule (cron jobs, scheduled scripts). Useful for backups, automated emails, report generation, or other routine server-side tasks.

Configuring autoscale deployment for a SaaS app

For most MVP projects, Autoscale Deployment strikes the right balance between performance and cost. Here's how to configure it efficiently:

Step 1: Choose your deployment type

Select "Autoscale Deployments" from the deployment options.

Step 2: Configure resource allocation

The default settings can be expensive. For a new MVP, I recommend starting with:

1 vCPU
1 GiB RAM
Maximum 2 machines

Replit autoscale configuration settings

Replit autoscale detailed configuration

These settings keep costs manageable while still handling moderate traffic. You can always scale up later once you validate demand.

Critical: Set up your production database

This is where many developers make a costly mistake. Don't skip the production database setup.

In the Production Database section, check the box that says: "Create production database upon publishing."

Production database configuration checkbox

Why this matters:

Data protection: Your live user data stays separate from your development environment
Safe testing: You can make changes locally without affecting production data
Clean rollbacks: If something breaks, your production database remains intact

Without this separation, any local development work directly affects your live users. That's a disaster waiting to happen.

Build and run commands

Keep the default build and run commands suggested by Replit unless you have a specific reason to change them. Replit analyzes your project and usually gets these right. You can learn more about configuring deployments in the Replit documentation.

Build and run command configuration

Bonus: Replit automatically copies your secret keys from the local environment to production, so you don't need to manually configure environment variables.

Publishing your project

Once everything is configured:

Click "Publish"
Wait a few minutes for the deployment to complete
Your app will be live at a Replit-provided URL

The first deployment typically takes 3-5 minutes as Replit builds your project and provisions resources.

Adding a custom domain

After your app is live, replace the default Replit URL with your custom domain:

Go to Publishing → Domains
Choose either:
- Buy a new domain (Replit will handle everything)
- Manually connect (if you already own a domain through Namecheap, Google Domains, or similar)
Follow the prompts to add your domain
Wait for DNS propagation (usually 15-60 minutes)

That's it. Your custom domain will be live and automatically configured with SSL. Replit provides free SSL certificates through Let's Encrypt for all custom domains.

Alternative deployment options

While Replit makes deployment simple, it's not your only option. Depending on your technical comfort level and budget, you might consider:

Vercel or Netlify: Great for frontend-focused applications
Railway or Render: Full-stack deployment with generous free tiers
DigitalOcean or AWS: More control but requires more technical knowledge

For non-technical founders who've already built on Replit, staying on the platform keeps things simple. The integrated deployment means less context-switching and fewer things to learn.

Cost considerations

With the conservative settings I recommended (1 vCPU, 1 GiB RAM, max 2 machines), you're looking at approximately $10-20 per month for a low-traffic MVP. This increases as your traffic grows, but by then you'll have the revenue to justify it.

Compare this to the cost of:

Learning AWS and dealing with configuration
Hiring a DevOps consultant
Wasting time on deployment instead of talking to customers

For most early-stage projects, Replit's simplicity is worth the slightly higher cost per unit of compute.

What happens next

Once deployed, your focus shifts from "getting it live" to "keeping it running well." Monitor these key areas:

Performance: Check response times and load speeds regularly
Errors: Set up error tracking with tools like Sentry or LogRocket
Usage patterns: Watch when traffic peaks to optimize your autoscaling
Costs: Review your monthly Replit billing dashboard and adjust resources as needed

Need help with your deployment?

Getting your MVP live is just the first step. The real challenge is building features users actually want and acquiring your first customers. That's where marketing comes in.

If you're launching a tech product and need help with your go-to-market strategy, paid acquisition, or growth marketing, schedule a consultation and let's talk about how to get your first 100 customers.