Google is showing Node.js some love by adding support for the open-source, cross-platform runtime environment on its App Engine service.

As of today, Google now offers access to a Node.js runtime via App Engine, which the company says is ideal for hosting high-performance Web and mobile, front-end and back-end JavaScript-based applications.

Google’s Node.js is current in beta, and there’s no open-source SDK yet, though we’re expecting one at a later date, as the company has already made similar SDKs for Go, Java, PHP and Python.

Google has prepared a number of “getting started” guides for developers who’re interested in using Node.js on App Engine, and is inviting trial signups now.

To begin with, developers will be able to run databases including Google’s Datastore, MongoDB and Redis to host their data, with Node.js apps able to be run via any compatible technology. Support for Express, Hapi, and Facebook’s Parse-server is included out-of-the-box.

For those who run into issues, Google is also making its Cloud Debugger tool available, while its Cloud Trace tool is on hand for devs to analyze app performance.

In addition, Google says it’s sealed a deal with NodeSource, giving developers who need it access to that company’s N|Solid monitoring platform.

While the general consensus among many developers is that Google’s App Engine service had a rocky start, the service has become increasingly reliable in the last couple of years. But it remains to be see if the addition of new features like Node.js support will be enough to convince developers to ditch services like AWS in favor of Google’s.

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