PROBLEM STATEMENT:
Inability to host node js applications free of charge and use a custom domain with SSL enabled.
I have implemented this, and my site is running fine.
SOLUTION:
Make your nodejs app to be an API with endpoints that you can call from somewhere else. This is your backend.
Make your frontend call your nodejs backend.
Host your backend on Render.com . You will get a secured (SSL enable) url.
Host your frontend on Netlify. You will get a secured (SSL enabled) url like: myfrontend.netlify.app
Register your custom domain on on your myfrontend.netlify.com app, this comes with SSL enabling as specified by Netlify DOCS:
So your app could now be accessed via: https://myCustomDomain.com
Try this and let me know how it goes.
E se pupo