One can absolutely run Python code in the cloud with low/zero cost, and existing VPS is actually the best option for persistent (“daemon”) execution. Below is a detailed comparison of all options, with clear recommendations based on your scenario.
✅ Existing VPS is the PERFECT Solution (Zero Cost Beyond Existing Server)
Since you already have a VPS with Python installed, this is the most cost-effective and reliable option for running code as a daemon. No new costs, full control, and no cloud vendor limitations.
Spoiler: Step by Step setup at VPS.
How to Run as a Daemon on Your VPS:
- Use
systemd
(Modern Linux – Recommended)
Create a service file (e.g.,/etc/systemd/system/myapp.service
):
[Unit]
Description=My Python App
After=network.target
[Service]
User=youruser
WorkingDirectory=/path/to/your/app
ExecStart=/usr/bin/python3 /path/to/your/app/main.py
Restart=always
RestartSec=5
[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target
Then:
sudo systemctl enable myapp # Auto-start on boot
sudo systemctl start myapp # Start now