Amazon Web Services vs Cloudflare
Two sides of the hosting decision: hyperscaler cloud and edge platform. When each fits, what it costs, who moves from one to the other, and what makers who chose it say.
Ask your AI about this, with this page as the source:ChatGPT ↗Claude ↗Perplexity ↗
Which fits you
Choose Amazon Web Services if- The widest catalog of building blocks — Lambda, containers, managed databases, queues — to assemble your own infrastructure.
Use it whenYou need a specific AWS service, enterprise customers ask for it, or you have credits to spend.
Trade-offYou wire up networking, permissions and deploys yourself; billing is per service and hard to predict.
Choose Cloudflare if- Your app is a static site or docs and should cost nothing to host
Use it whenYou want the cheapest global hosting and can live with the Workers runtime.
Trade-offThe Workers runtime isn't full Node.js; some libraries need adapting.
At a glance
| Amazon Web Services | Cloudflare | |
|---|---|---|
| Used by | 386 makers' products · 17 open-source projects | 374 makers' products · 190 open-source projects |
| Cost at default usagerequests 5 million requests, data transfer out 100 GB, serverless function compute 100 GB-hours | $17/mo Pay as you go (Lambda + EC2 t4g.small) | $12/mo Workers Paid |
| Moved to it on GitHubpull requests since Oct 2024 | 10+ from Cloudflare | 39+ from Amazon Web Services |
| Downloads | 4.2M/wk−39% vs npm | 18.6M/wk3.1× vs npm |
| Pricing | Pay-as-you-go per service; new accounts get up to $200 in Free Tier credits over 6 months. · paid from Pay as you go | Generous free tier; usage-based paid plans. · paid from $5/mo (Workers Paid) |
| Free tier | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | No | No |
| Incidents, 90 daysfrom its status page | no public status feed | 50+ |
Cost as you grow
At 100k requests Cloudflare costs less ($0 vs $16); and still does at 500M requests ($871 vs $1,600). They're different kinds of tool — hyperscaler cloud and edge platform — so the prices don't buy the same thing.
The numbers, plan by plan
| Requests per month | Amazon Web Services | Cloudflare |
|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | $16 Pay as you go (Lambda + EC2 t4g.small) | $0 Workers Free |
| 0.5 | $16 Pay as you go (Lambda + EC2 t4g.small) | $5.12 Workers Paid |
| 1 | $16 Pay as you go (Lambda + EC2 t4g.small) | $5.84 Workers Paid |
| 5 | $17 Pay as you go (Lambda + EC2 t4g.small) | $12 Workers Paid |
| 10 | $32 Pay as you go (Lambda + EC2 t4g.small) | $19 Workers Paid |
| 50 | $160 Pay as you go (Lambda + EC2 t4g.small) | $88 Workers Paid |
| 100 | $320 Pay as you go (Lambda + EC2 t4g.small) | $175 Workers Paid |
| 500 | $1,600 Pay as you go (Lambda + EC2 t4g.small) | $871 Workers Paid |
From each vendor's pricing page: Amazon Web Services, Cloudflare.
Who moves from one to the other
Public pull requests on GitHub since Oct 2024 whose title says "Amazon Web Services to Cloudflare" or the reverse — real code changes, by developers in general rather than makers only.
Cloudflare → Amazon Web Services10+ PRs- [CAO-320] Migrate api-mcp from Cloudflare Workers to AWS (ECS Fargate)ZapSign/api-mcp · 2026-09-24
- Migrate Cloudflare site to Next.js for AWS hostingzeecaniago/zee-digital-home · 2026-09-21
- Migrate object storage from Cloudflare R2 to AWS S3kpedneka/dumpster · 2026-09-13
- fix: switch Mongo backups from Cloudflare R2 to AWS S3ayaans16/shhecrets · 2026-08-03
- ops(cloudflare): free edge router to replace deleted AWS ALB0xSoftBoi/suwappubot · 2026-06-08
- Migrate from Cloudflare Workers to AWS Amplify with short-link sharingMaxTheSyntax/clipboard-markdown-viewer · 2026-05-20
- feat: migrate console-app from Cloudflare to AWS LambdaJW-Flo/Project-AtlasIT · 2026-04-23
- Migrate from Cloudflare Workers to AWS Lambda + DynamoDB + S3gpitot/blogs · 2026-04-13
- refactor: migrate from Cloudflare R2 to AWS S3 for asset storagepinyinlylabs/pinyinly · 2026-02-22
- Migrate web scraping from Cloudflare Workers to AWS Lambda with batch processing and CI/CDTBog/Crypto-calculator · 2026-01-06
Amazon Web Services → Cloudflare39+ PRs- Switch all AWS API calls to the Cloudflare smartscore-api workernathan-probert/SmartScore · 2026-10-01
- Migrate application storage from AWS S3 to private Cloudflare R2hatemragab/music_mute · 2026-09-30
- feat: migrate file storage from AWS S3 to Cloudflare R2Ajithnp/Travel-Log-Api · 2026-09-26
- Migrate from AWS Amplify to Cloudflare Workersbenstraw/benstrawbridge.com · 2026-09-25
- Migrate AWS-hosted images to Cloudflare R2pantaleone-ai/pnet-2026-main · 2026-09-21
- feat: migrate public degen assets from AWS S3 to Cloudflare R2NiftyLeague/nifty-fe-monorepo · 2026-09-15
- [Feature]: Migrate AWS S3 to Cloudflare R2 Storagegokulsuthar22/ekspensify-backend · 2026-09-10
- feat(cnpg): move all database backups off AWS S3 to Cloudflare R2wtp43/gearhawk-lab · 2026-09-03
- Migrate photo/document storage from AWS S3 to Cloudflare R2Carleton-Blueprint/landseed-project · 2026-08-18
- feat: migrate hosting from AWS to Cloudflare Workersbicstone/portfolio · 2026-08-15
What makers say
Makers on using it for hosting, from Product Hunt and Starter Story interviews, each linked to the source. Products with a page of their own and fuller notes first.
On Amazon Web ServicesWe are so excited to integrate with AWS Lambda. Look for our upcoming co-authored blog about how Fleak and AWS Lambda bring goodness to data teams and help them win their time back!
AWS provides the global infrastructure we need to deliver low-latency voice translation to users worldwide. Their reliable services ensure our calls connect seamlessly across regions.
AWS Lambda's scalability is definitely a game-changer, especially for handling the traffic spikes from a Product Hunt launch. Shoutout to AWS Lambda for making it possible! 🚀
On CloudflareCloudflare handles everything for iVox — DNS, website hosting on Pages, R2 file storage for downloads, and Workers for the license backend. All of it, basically free at indie scale.
Cloudflare Workers and Pages let us deploy instantly at the network edge, delivering lightning-fast performance and reliability without the usual complexities of traditional hosting.
Snapset’s website, licensing backend, and email routing all run on Cloudflare. Pages, Workers, and D1 let me keep the infrastructure simple and manage almost everything in one place.
Loved and watch-outs
Themes that recur in makers' words and Hacker News comments, each linked to what it summarises.
Amazon Web ServicesMost loved
Watch-outs
On Product Hunt: 5.0★, 282 reviews · mentioned most: reliable cloud services, scalable infrastructure, extensive service offeringsCloudflareMost loved
Watch-outs
On Product Hunt: 5.0★, 241 reviews · mentioned most: fast performance, reliable security, global CDNWho uses each
Amazon Web Services386 makers' products
AgentR
Antiquoted
Beatoven.ai
agent-manager
AskReferralUsed by both — often one replacing the other, or each for a different part of the product
Swytchcode
UXAudit.Now
Vamah.aiWhat makers pair each with
With Amazon Web ServicesTransactional Email
Amazon Web Services + SendGrid:
Bricks
ConnectMachine
D-IDEmailFlow.AI Agentic Newsletter Platform
FetchSandbox
GoMarble
Hello Inbox
MailTock
OptimizeGEO.aiSeven24.ai
Sider
Signadotand 66 more
BricksConnectMachineD-IDEmailFlow.AI Agentic Newsletter PlatformFetchSandboxGoMarbleHello InboxMailTockOptimizeGEO.aiSeven24.aiSiderSignadotand 66 moreAmazon Web Services + Resend:
Anything
CodeAnt AIConnectMachine
Dopamine.chat
Edgee
Hyring
iArt.ai
JotMe
JustPaidMaillayer
Migma AI
Modelence App Builderand 60 more
AnythingCodeAnt AIConnectMachineDopamine.chatEdgeeHyringiArt.aiJotMeJustPaidMaillayerMigma AIModelence App Builderand 60 moreAmazon Web Services + Postmark:
Bond
ClarityUXCodeAnt AI
ComputerX
Coso.ai
FluencyHello InboxMailTockQAClan
Skyvern
SpreadSimple
Talo by Palabra.aiand 52 more
BondClarityUXCodeAnt AIComputerXCoso.aiFluencyHello InboxMailTockQAClanSkyvernSpreadSimpleTalo by Palabra.aiand 52 moreLLM API
Amazon Web Services + OpenAI API:
Agentplace.io
AI Context FlowAnything
BetterClaw
BooleanMaths PulseConnectMachine
Cynative Security Research AgentD-ID
EspaFetchSandboxGoMarbleHireHunchand 121 more
Agentplace.ioAI Context FlowAnythingBetterClawBooleanMaths PulseConnectMachineCynative Security Research AgentD-IDEspaFetchSandboxGoMarbleHireHunchand 121 moreAmazon Web Services + Claude:Agentplace.ioAnything
AstridBetterClawFetchSandbox
FlootGoMarbleHello InboxHyringModelence App Builder
Naoma
Nautisand 70 more
Agentplace.ioAnythingAstridBetterClawFetchSandboxFlootGoMarbleHello InboxHyringModelence App BuilderNaomaNautisand 70 more
Kipps AI
Minicule
Notte
SlashyFrontend Framework
Amazon Web Services + Next.js:
Ada.imAgentMailAnythingAstridBond
buzzaboutClarityUXClawTeamsEspaFetchSandboxFleakFlootand 112 more
Ada.imAgentMailAnythingAstridBondbuzzaboutClarityUXClawTeamsEspaFetchSandboxFleakFlootand 112 moreAmazon Web Services + React:
DatazipMailTockMigma AI
MIOSN
NeuralAgentNotiSpriteOptimizeGEO.ai
QualGent
Quorini
Smart Chrome Tabs
Sukha
The Swarmand 27 more
DatazipMailTockMigma AIMIOSNNeuralAgentNotiSpriteOptimizeGEO.aiQualGentQuoriniSmart Chrome TabsSukhaThe Swarmand 27 more
Tilores entity resolution
Chatwoot
CypressPayments
Amazon Web Services + Stripe:Ada.imAstrioBetterClawBricks
ByteNiteClusyEngine Room Media
Firecoach AIGoMarble
GroHello InboxHireHunchand 103 more
Ada.imAstrioBetterClawBricksByteNiteClusyEngine Room MediaFirecoach AIGoMarbleGroHello InboxHireHunchand 103 moreAmazon Web Services + Paddle:
AmplooClarityUXMailTockSpreadSimpleTalo by Palabra.aiMorningscore
Openchangelog
AnnounceKit
Keywords Everywhere
AmplooClarityUXMailTockSpreadSimpleTalo by Palabra.aiMorningscoreOpenchangelogAnnounceKitKeywords EverywhereAmazon Web Services + PayPal:
KukyMaildroppaPDFShiftTxtCart®
Crisp
UptimeRobot
KukyMaildroppaPDFShiftTxtCart®CrispUptimeRobotWith CloudflarePayments
Cloudflare + Stripe:AgentCenter for OpenClaw
AppllamaAss AuctionBaton
Brand.devCoIsland
ComigoHello InboxHexomaticIFAH
IFTTTImportifyand 88 more
AppllamaAss AuctionBatonBrand.devCoIslandComigoHello InboxHexomaticIFAHIFTTTImportifyand 88 more
Polishory
PulpMiner
Klyxshot
PopAir
inbox-zero
Sendra
VibeSonicFrontend Framework
Cloudflare + Next.js:
Agent 37 CloudAgentCenter for OpenClaw
AgentX
AINave
Apple Dev Docs Translation & EnhancerAppllama
Carousels Generator
Chronicle
Contrive
CubeOne AI
Dreamlit AIEpisode Ninjaand 81 more
Agent 37 CloudAgentCenter for OpenClawAgentXAINaveApple Dev Docs Translation & EnhancerAppllamaCarousels GeneratorChronicleContriveCubeOne AIDreamlit AIEpisode Ninjaand 81 more
Hands Off
Reviewradar
serenities
Skilled Partner
Vois
Marble
Saturn
Supermemory
VNYLTransactional Email
Cloudflare + Resend:2dto3DAgent 37 Cloud
Agnost AIApple Dev Docs Translation & Enhancer
BigcapitalBrand.devCarousels Generator
ChronockContrivecrosswalkElvanFlickNoteand 66 more
Agent 37 CloudAgnost AIApple Dev Docs Translation & EnhancerBigcapitalBrand.devCarousels GeneratorChronockContrivecrosswalkElvanFlickNoteand 66 more
DEV Community
Ollang DX
Recent.dev
Rosper
TapScannerLLM API
Cloudflare + OpenAI API:2dto3DAgentXAgnost AI
AI Santa Claus
Daemons by Charlie Labs
Decawork
Eternity ACFetchSandboxLispr
Moxie Docs
MultifactorNepotism Networkand 63 more
AgentXAgnost AIAI Santa ClausDaemons by Charlie LabsDecaworkEternity ACFetchSandboxLisprMoxie DocsMultifactorNepotism Networkand 63 more
LaunchSafe
Magic Patterns
Mocha
Orango
OS Ninja
QuietHint®
Unabyss
RecordMeeting
Chat Thing
Macaly
Arcade
SuperwallNeither quite right?
See the whole hosting decision →
VercelFrontend cloudNext.js apps — zero-config deploys and preview URLs.vs Amazon Web Services →vs Cloudflare →
Netlify
RailwayPaaSServers, workers and databases deployed together, with almost no configuration.vs Amazon Web Services →vs Cloudflare →
Render
Fly.ioContainer platformDocker apps that should run close to users in many regions.vs Amazon Web Services →
Hetzner CloudYour own serverA lot of CPU and RAM per euro, in European, US and Singapore regions.vs Amazon Web Services →
CoolifyYour own serverA Heroku- or Vercel-style dashboard on your own server, with many one-click services.