# NodeChef Discourse Hosting is sub-par

**URL:** https://meta.discourse.org/t/nodechef-discourse-hosting-is-sub-par/111595
**Category:** Self-hosting
**Tags:** hosting
**Created:** [March 14, 2019, 3:58pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/nodechef-discourse-hosting-is-sub-par/111595 "2019-03-14T15:58:20Z")
**Posts on this page:** 1
**Page:** 1

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### Author: ![Paul\_Cormier1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/paul_cormier1/32/121348_2.png) [@Paul\_Cormier1](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Paul_Cormier1)
#### Post date: [March 14, 2019, 3:58pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/nodechef-discourse-hosting-is-sub-par/111595/1 "2019-03-14T15:58:20Z")

</div>

I’d been hosting some NodeJS apps on NodeChef and despite encountering some bugs and UX issues with their interfaces, was pleased with the performance and available features. I thought I’d test their Discourse hosting because I already had a Discourse forum setup on DigitalOcean, but would prefer having everything under one roof. The price was right and they promised simple installation.

Immediately upon setup, I encountered several bugs and warnings being thrown by the Discourse install. I contacted support asking how I could access the app.yml file to change some settings and was told I could not have that access. Because of previous issues I’d had with the Discourse beta channel, I asked how to get on the “stable” channel. I was told that was not possible either. They actually responded with: “_If there is a feature in the beta causing you issues, just do not use it._”?!

The other thing I noticed was that the page loading time was horrible, so I performed a performance test comparing NodeChef’s **empty** Discourse forum v2.3.0.beta3 +115 home page versus the DigitalOcean Discourse forum v2.1.3 +2 home page filled with posts. Here are the results:

**NodeChef - Discourse v2.3.0.beta3 +115**

 ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/meta/original/3X/f/5/f5a50496c0707fb4b07c80df52b7f0290a5b21d2.png)

**DigitalOcean - Discourse v2.1.3 +2**

 ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/meta/original/3X/1/f/1f4796e4db0678d90783300c24f804d7c7294014.png)

Given the bugs, lack of support and poor performance, I terminated the Discourse instance and asked for a refund. Their response: “_we have a no refund policy as stated in our terms_”.

So, that was my experience. If you’re fine with bugs, and poor performance, then feel free to use NodeChef for your Discourse Hosting.

P.S. I have no affiliation with DigitalOcean other than I buy services from them.