Architecture

Self-hosting a full backend on one small VPS

Auth, realtime, jobs, cache and native database drivers run in-process — so a single small server can replace several managed services. Here's the cost case, with measured numbers.

A typical “serverless-ish” SaaS stack rents auth (Auth0), realtime (Pusher/Ably), a queue (a managed Redis + worker), and a managed database. Each is a monthly bill that scales with usage. StreetJS folds most of those into the framework itself, so they run in one process on hardware you already pay for.

What’s in-process

  • Auth — JWT, sessions, RBAC, MFA (no external auth service required).
  • Realtime — a bounded WebSocket server + SSE (no Pusher/Ably).
  • Jobs — a PostgreSQL-backed queue, cron, and a saga engine (no Redis/worker tier).
  • Cache — optional via the dependency-free Redis plugin.
  • Database — native PostgreSQL/MySQL drivers; SQLite for the smallest setups.

Measured numbers

From the budget deployment guide (all marked MEASURED, reproducible from the repo’s benchmarks):

  • ~5,700 requests/second single-process throughput (5,000 requests, 0 errors).
  • ~30 KB per WebSocket connection at 1,000 connections with 100% delivery — so ~10,000 connections is on the order of ~300 MB of RAM.

These are measured on the project’s own benchmark harness. Your numbers depend on workload and hardware — always benchmark your own path. StreetJS publishes only measured figures, never estimates.

What that enables

One modest VPS can serve real traffic and realtime connections while the features that would otherwise be separate SaaS bills run alongside your app. The tradeoff is operational: you run the box. For teams optimizing total cost of ownership and avoiding vendor lock-in, that’s the point.

Getting started 

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npx @streetjs/cli create my-app --database postgres
cd my-app && npm install && street dev

Deploy with the included Dockerfile, or follow the budget guide for a single-VPS setup. For the trust/SBOM/provenance evidence enterprises ask about, see the Security & Trust Center.

Build a SaaS in one command: street create my-app --starter saas — see Starters.