Deploy your Express app to DigitalOcean
Step-by-step deployment help for Express apps on DigitalOcean. We fix Express-specific deployment issues, configure DigitalOcean, and get your app live. From $19.
Express issues we fix before deploying
Common Express problems that affect DigitalOcean deployments.
No helmet middleware for security headers
Express apps without the helmet middleware are missing critical security headers like Content-Security-Policy, X-Content-Type-Options, and HSTS, leaving the app vulnerable to common web attacks.
Missing input validation and sanitization
Request body, query params, and URL params used directly without validation. No express-validator, zod, or joi — enabling injection attacks and unexpected crashes.
Unstructured error handling
No global error-handling middleware. Errors either crash the process, leak stack traces to clients, or get silently swallowed with no logging.
CORS set to allow all origins
The cors() middleware called with no options, defaulting to allowing requests from any website — a security risk for APIs that handle user data.
DigitalOcean deployment issues we check for
Common DigitalOcean problems that break Express apps in production.
App Platform buildpack fails to detect framework
AI-generated project structures with non-standard entry points or missing start scripts cause DigitalOcean's buildpack to fail during auto-detection.
Managed database connection pool exhaustion
AI tools create a new database connection per request instead of using a connection pool, exhausting DigitalOcean's managed database connection limits quickly.
Droplet firewall not configured
Freshly provisioned Droplets have all ports open by default. AI deployment scripts skip firewall configuration, exposing SSH, database, and admin ports publicly.
Spaces CDN CORS not configured
DigitalOcean Spaces requires explicit CORS headers for browser-based uploads. AI-generated frontend code fails silently when uploading files directly to Spaces.
Start with a self-serve audit
Get a professional review of your Express project before deploying to DigitalOcean.
External Security Scan
Black-box review of your public-facing app. No code access needed.
- OWASP Top 10 vulnerability check
- SSL/TLS configuration analysis
- Security header assessment
- Expert review within 24h
Code Audit
In-depth review of your source code for security, quality, and best practices.
- Security vulnerability analysis
- Code quality review
- Dependency audit
- Architecture review
- Expert + AI code analysis
Complete Bundle
Both scans in one package with cross-referenced findings.
- Everything in both products
- Cross-referenced findings
- Unified action plan
100% credited toward any paid service. Start with an audit, then let us fix what we find.
How it works
Tell us about your app
Share your project details and what you need help with.
Expert + AI audit
A human expert assisted by AI reviews your code within 24 hours.
Launch with confidence
We fix what needs fixing and stick around to help.
Frequently asked questions
How do I deploy a Express app to DigitalOcean?
We handle Express deployments to DigitalOcean end to end. Start with our code audit ($19) to identify deployment blockers specific to your Express project, then we configure DigitalOcean, fix issues, and get your app live in production.
What Express issues affect DigitalOcean deployments?
Express projects commonly have no helmet middleware for security headers and missing input validation and sanitization. On DigitalOcean, these combine with app platform buildpack fails to detect framework and managed database connection pool exhaustion to cause deployment failures.
Can SpringCode deploy my Express project to DigitalOcean?
Yes. We specialize in deploying Express applications to DigitalOcean. We audit your codebase for Express-specific issues, configure DigitalOcean correctly, and handle the full deployment so your app runs reliably in production.
What does Express deployment to DigitalOcean cost?
Our code audit ($19) identifies all DigitalOcean deployment blockers in your Express project. Full deployment assistance is scoped with a fixed quote after the audit — no hourly billing or surprise charges.
Related resources
Other techs on DigitalOcean
Deploy Express elsewhere
Need help deploying Express to DigitalOcean?
Tell us about your project. We'll respond within 24 hours with a clear plan and fixed quote.