Deploy and Host Evolution API (WhatsApp REST API) on Railway

Self-host Evolution API in one click — an open-source WhatsApp REST API with no per-message Meta fees. Create instances, scan a QR code, and start sending and receiving WhatsApp messages via HTTP within minutes, with Postgres persistence and an authenticated Redis cache included.

About Hosting Evolution API

Evolution API exposes WhatsApp as a clean REST API: create an instance, pair it with a phone via QR code (Baileys mode) or connect the official WhatsApp Cloud API, then send messages, media, and receive webhooks. This template pins the current stable release (v2.3.7 — deliberately not the 2.4 RC line) and ships hardened: a 48-character master API key is generated per deploy, session data persists in Postgres and on a volume so your WhatsApp pairing survives redeploys, Redis caching is enabled with authentication, and telemetry is off. Databases are private-only — nothing but the API itself is exposed.

Common Use Cases

Customer-service and notification bots for agencies and SMBs (pairs perfectly with n8n, Chatwoot, or Typebot)
Order updates, reminders, and OTP-style messages without per-conversation Meta fees
Multi-instance WhatsApp automation platforms (each customer gets an instance)

Dependencies for Evolution API Hosting

PostgreSQL 17 (included, private-only, persistent volume)
Redis 7.4 (included, private-only, password-protected, persistent volume)

Deployment Dependencies

Implementation Details

AUTHENTICATION_API_KEY auto-generated (48 chars) — this key controls the whole API and the Manager UI; treat it like a root password
Instance/session storage on a persistent volume at /evolution/instances — a redeploy does not force a new QR pairing
Pinned image evoapicloud/evolution-api:v2.3.7; telemetry disabled; Redis authenticated over private networking
Open the Manager UI at https:///manager and log in with your API key

Honest note: unofficial (Baileys) mode is not endorsed by WhatsApp and carries account-ban risk for spammy behavior; for business-critical messaging use the official Cloud API mode, which this template also supports.

Why Deploy Evolution API on Railway?

Railway is a singular platform to deploy your infrastructure stack. Railway will host your infrastructure so you don't have to deal with configuration, while allowing you to vertically and horizontally scale it.

By deploying Evolution API on Railway, you are one step closer to supporting a complete full-stack application with minimal burden. Host your servers, databases, AI agents, and more on Railway.