Shipping
Hosting
Get your app onto the internet with a URL, HTTPS and deploys from git.
Ask your AI about this, with this page as the source:ChatGPT ↗Claude ↗Perplexity ↗
The real choice
What shape is your app? A frontend or serverless app fits a frontend cloud. Long-running servers, background workers and databases fit a PaaS or container platform. A hyperscaler cloud has every building block but leaves you to assemble them; a platform or framework that deploys into your own cloud account sits between, with platform-style deploys and the resources on your own cloud bill.
Pick by situation
Tap the ones that are you — the tools that fit light up below.- You built a Next.js or other frontend-heavy app and want preview URLs on every pull request
Vercel
Netlify - Your app is a static site or docs and should cost nothing to host
Cloudflare - You have a long-running server, a background worker and a database to deploy together
Railway
Render - Your users are spread across continents and the app runs in Docker
Fly.io - You want a flat monthly bill and full control, and don't mind running one server
Hetzner Cloud
Coolify
The contenders
Grouped by the side of the choice they answer, not ranked. Open a row for when to use it, the trade-off and what makers say.
ToolBest for
Frontend cloud2
Netlifyplatform · free tierStatic sites and JAMstack apps on any framework.
241+54 open source$27Pro 3,000 credits323.1k/wk−55% vs npm
Use it whenYour site is static or JAMstack on a framework other than Next.js.
Trade-offServer-side features run as functions with time limits; long-running work needs another host.
llms.txtIn BoltUsed by Aritect, Aviquill, Bank Statement Converter, BurnLink, Claio.ai and 236 more · in 54 open-source projects.
Hosts tidymacapp.com and serves the app itself. Deploying is dragging a folder onto a page. For a solo dev shipping a $9 utility, that's exactly the right amount of infrastructure.
Vercelplatform · free tierNext.js apps — zero-config deploys and preview URLs.No evidence yet$40Pro + Flat Rate CDN 10M5.7M/wk+93% vs npm
Edge platform1
Cloudflareplatform · free tierCheap global hosting with Workers, plus database (D1) and storage (R2) on the same platform.
375+190 open source$12Workers Paid18.6M/wk3.1× vs npm
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.
llms.txtMCPUsed by 2dto3D, Agent 37 Cloud, agent-manager, AgentCenter for OpenClaw, AgentX and 370 more · in 190 open-source projects.
Cloudflare 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.
PaaS2
Renderplatform · free tierA Heroku-style platform for web services, cron jobs and Postgres.
128$39Hobby
Use it whenYou want a managed server, cron jobs and Postgres with a flat per-instance price.
Trade-offFree instances sleep when idle and wake slowly; paid instances are billed whether busy or not.
llms.txtUsed by AfterHour, Agen, AgentR, Almanac, Amurex and 123 more.
Simple, predictable deploys for our Node/Express backend with none of the AWS-console overhead. We needed infra that stayed out of our way while we were heads-down on the product.
RailwayplatformServers, workers and databases deployed together, with almost no configuration.
112$45Hobby
Use it whenYour app is a server plus a database and a worker, and you want them in one project.
Trade-offUsage-based billing needs watching; fewer regions and compliance options than a hyperscaler.
llms.txtMCPUsed by 24CallDesk, Agentcard, AgentRail, Amami, April and 107 more.
Railway makes deploying and scaling our backend effortless. Push to main, it's live. No Dockerfiles to debug, no infra to babysit. We went from zero to production in an afternoon.
Container platform1
Fly.ioplatformDocker apps that should run close to users in many regions.
66+52 open source$15Pay As You Go
Use it whenYour app runs in Docker and should serve users in several regions.
Trade-offMore operations work than a PaaS.
llms.txtUsed by Cure AI, Flight Follower, Formcrafts, GitHub Wrapped 2025, InfiniDesk and 61 more · in 52 open-source projects.
Machines on Fly made it easy to build SSL-secured proxies and backends for keeping cross-internet Pig automations safe and encrypted.
Hyperscaler cloud1
Amazon Web Servicesplatform · free tierThe widest catalog of building blocks — Lambda, containers, managed databases, queues — to assemble your own infrastructure.
386+17 open source$17Pay as you go (Lambda + EC2 t4g.small)4.2M/wk−39% vs npm
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.
Used by Ada.im, AgentMail, Agentplace.io, AgentR, AI Context Flow and 381 more · in 17 open-source projects.
We 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!
Your own server2
Hetzner CloudplatformA lot of CPU and RAM per euro, in European, US and Singapore regions.
100$13CPX12
Use it whenCost per CPU and RAM matters more than a long list of managed services.
Trade-offFewer managed services than big clouds, and account verification can be strict.
Used by Beam Analytics, Indifferent Broccoli, Swipeart, viral.app, AI Santa Claus and 95 more.
"mb-3">· Brooce I procure servers from: · Servers.com · SoYouStart · Gorilla Servers · Hetzner What have been the most influential books, podcasts, or other resources? If you want to l…
Coolifyplatform · open source · free tierA Heroku- or Vercel-style dashboard on your own server, with many one-click services.
23—★ 62.3k
Use it whenYou want a web dashboard with one-click databases and services on a server you own.
Trade-offThe dashboard itself runs on your server and needs updates.
llms.txtUsed by CartGhost, Clipwing, Creavit Studio, FAQPopup, LikeRemote.com and 18 more.
Coolify enables Listadum to manage our servers cost-efficiently, which is essential given the compute and bandwidth demands of running shop intelligence and the keyword explorer features.
Cost: the cheapest plan that fits requests 5 million requests, data transfer out 100 GB, serverless function compute 100 GB-hours, from list prices. Try your own numbers →
Cost as you grow
Each contender's cheapest usable plan as usage rises.
Who switches to what
Public pull requests on GitHub since Oct 2024 whose title says "X to Y" — real code changes, by developers in general rather than makers only. Pick a flow to see its pull requests.
Vercel → Cloudflare242 PRs · Compare →- fix(photos): call revalidate via vercel.app to bypass Cloudflare challengeadriandlam/adrianlam.sh · 2026-10-02
- Migrate hosting from Vercel to Cloudflare Workersbilly492/Mohamed-Elshihy · 2026-10-01
- Move hosting from Vercel to Cloudflare Workerslukeabraham24777/portfolio · 2026-10-01
- Move hosting from Vercel to Cloudflare Workerslukeabraham24777/unblock-me-game · 2026-10-01
- Move hosting from Vercel to Cloudflare Workersnicoceron/amediotono · 2026-10-01
- chore: migrate hosting from vercel to cloudflare workersvimcolorschemes/vimcolorschemes · 2026-09-30
- Move website/site from Vercel and Upstash to Cloudflare Workers and D1DevPatel128/vero · 2026-09-29
- Move web app hosting from Vercel to Cloudflare WorkersPerSis2863/UniVerse · 2026-09-28
- P0: remove legacy Vercel DNS and move blog to Cloudflare Custom Domaincyberdudebivash/cyberdudebivash-blog · 2026-09-27
- Prepare migration from Vercel to Cloudflare WorkersThorfinnThor/interactec · 2026-09-27
Netlify → Cloudflare125 PRs · Compare →- Move hosting from Netlify to a Cloudflare Workervz-12/chromebook-gamez · 2026-10-01
- Move hosting from Netlify to a Cloudflare Workervz-12/chromebook-gamez · 2026-10-01
- Migrate Cook & Flame from Netlify to Cloudflare + Supabaseseshydragon/cookryumyum · 2026-09-29
- Migrate the docs site from Netlify to Cloudflare Pageslukebennett88/luke-ui · 2026-09-27
- Cut over hosting docs from Netlify to Cloudflare Pagesskwritesstuff/musicblog · 2026-09-27
- Move hosting from Netlify to Cloudflare Pagesconnolmj/bigblindcap · 2026-09-25
- Migrate deploy target from Netlify to Cloudflare Workersmakdaf1rst/hadith-keeper-vault · 2026-09-18
- docs(plans): plan the Host deployment cutover from deleted Netlify to Cloudflare (relates #1467)endaye/lmdj · 2026-09-17
- Update footer hosting notice from Netlify to Cloudflaremoomdbe/legoutdevivre-site · 2026-09-16
- feat(docs): migrate hosting from Netlify to Cloudflare Workers Static…thedannywahl/pantoken · 2026-09-14
Vercel → Render123 PRs · Compare →- fix: connect vercel frontend to render apiScoutkp/CodeboxBootcamp2026 · 2026-09-30
- chore: migrate delivery from Vercel to Renderarcana-academy/academiaarcana · 2026-09-30
- fix(deploy): add vercel.json with API rewrites to Render and SPA rout…VibeLocate-AI/Front-End · 2026-09-29
- fix(api): proxy /api through Vercel to the Render backend, same-originsperostudionepal/turfio-web · 2026-09-29
- fix(vercel): point frontend/vercel.json API rewrites to production Render backendzamorinestate/estate-erp · 2026-09-27
- Deploy the wall to Vercel with rewrites to the Render APIyeruvamaheswar/storm-prep-signal · 2026-09-27
- Add Vercel config to proxy API to Render and support SPA routesabhilatawa/NailsVilla · 2026-09-25
- fix: vercel not properly routed to render backendDanchi-1/Darelm · 2026-09-23
- Vercel frontend: proxy API to Render and persist login tokensuryateja99-ai/AyudhVikasFoundation · 2026-09-21
- chore(deploy): route Vercel frontend to Render APIkramit1116/SIH107 · 2026-09-19
Netlify → Vercel117 PRs · Compare →- Migrate study-plan deploy from Netlify to Vercelparker2808/interview-senior-fe · 2026-09-28
- Move hosting from Netlify to VercelnokuL/found · 2026-09-27
- Move to calc.siamak.pro and migrate hosting from Netlify to Vercelsiamak/calc-trade · 2026-09-24
- Migrate application deployment from Netlify to VercelHenry70-97/stemics · 2026-09-21
- vercel-migration build: move the deployment from Netlify to VercelUniv-Go/univgo-frontend · 2026-09-19
- Migrate deployment platform from Netlify to Vercelluongductrong/portfolio-v2 · 2026-09-19
- feat(deploy): migrate hosting from Netlify to Vercelsurdarmaputra/kozy · 2026-09-19
- Switch deploy target from Netlify to VercelDIBBLS/unify-survey-bot · 2026-09-18
- Serve the Field Guide at /learn/ via a Netlify proxy to Vercelrbind/DivingIntoGeneticsAndGenomics · 2026-09-13
- chore(vercel): migrate from Netlify to Vercel and fix broken linksMaxvoltPower/MAXVOLT_web · 2026-09-13
Vercel → Railway94 PRs · Compare →- chore(deploy): prepare migration from Vercel to Railwaycuongnc0211/roadmate · 2026-10-02
- Review pages before capturing; forward Vercel address to RailwayGenuineJack/site-snapper · 2026-09-30
- Connect Vercel dashboard to Railway APIRajvardhanPatil07/AirTwin · 2026-09-28
- Redirect the Vercel root path to Railway tooyouthachrist-web/protocolo-nordico · 2026-09-28
- Vercel: pass the root path through to Railwayidanmann10/persona-onboarding · 2026-09-28
- Migrate vercel to railwaywhartonAIclub/penn-tools · 2026-09-28
- Redirect Vercel to Railway and handle missing upsell PDF gracefullyyouthachrist-web/protocolo-nordico · 2026-09-28
- chore: setup vercel proxy to railway backendSIH-2026-RRAKSS/sihweb · 2026-09-25
- Configure Vercel to Railway connectivitykwizeraherve70/african_gcv_website · 2026-09-24
- DR-119 hotfix: route Vercel to live Railway hostnamedocbennyt/EchoZW · 2026-09-16
Cloudflare → Vercel83 PRs · Compare →- Move hosting from Cloudflare Pages to Verceldaboss23/boss · 2026-09-29
- Add free Cloudflare to Vercel read-only transport preflightnurhannetarek13-design/tst-spot-signal · 2026-09-28
- fix(cloudflare): fall back to BACKEND_URL when Vercel rejects the bypass secretsmokemoney81/BaitBuddy · 2026-09-25
- Migrate hosting from Cloudflare Workers to Verceljlvmoster/website · 2026-09-23
- Migrate hosting/database from Cloudflare Workers+D1 to Vercel+Supabaseiwannis0/found-digital-growth · 2026-09-22
- Migrate hosting/data layer from Cloudflare to Vercel + Supabaserevmancil/tcac-imdp-reviewer · 2026-09-22
- Migrate from Cloudflare Workers to Vercelsalikahmed595/AI-Summit · 2026-09-18
- Move metrics API from a Cloudflare Worker to Vercel Edge Functionssillsdev/langtech-metrics · 2026-09-18
- Kairon V11 — migrate runtime from Cloudflare to Vercel + Supabase schedulernikitamakiel1-beep/PROJECT · 2026-09-18
- Move authenticated FundMatch app from Cloudflare to VercelWGLewis0721/fundmatch · 2026-09-17
Vercel → Netlify65 PRs · Compare →- Move deployment target from Vercel to NetlifyVgroup2023/instrument-empire · 2026-09-28
- Move pratz.is-a.dev from Vercel to Netlifyis-a-dev/register · 2026-09-05
- feat: migrate RepoFinisher off Vercel to Netlify + persistent APIpatriotnewsactivism/repo-romance-46 · 2026-08-28
- Migrate deployment from vercel to netlifysanidhyy/real-estate-app · 2026-08-22
- Migrate deployment from vercel to netlifysanidhyy/metaversus · 2026-08-22
- Migrate deployment from vercel to netlifysanidhyy/car-showcase · 2026-08-22
- Migrate deployment from vercel to netlifysanidhyy/nike · 2026-08-22
- Migrate deployment from vercel to netlifysanidhyy/travel-app · 2026-08-22
- Migrate hosting configuration from Vercel to Netlifywwwpetrohryscom/agricultureid · 2026-08-19
- Migrate production hosting from Vercel to Netlifywwwpetrohryscom/asteriastar · 2026-08-19
Render → Vercel61 PRs · Compare →- Move the calculator and reminder API from Render to Vercel + Neonlotustemplar/peptide-calculator-v2 · 2026-10-01
- Move AutoMind FastAPI backend from Render to VercelcodebyArya-bit/Automotive-Predictive-Maintainance-System · 2026-09-29
- feat/deploy backend to Render and web to VercelSUTHESH-004/vantex-soft · 2026-09-28
- Migrate hosting from Render to Vercel Hobbyyukevindai/sciml-workbench · 2026-09-27
- Migrate hosting from Render to VercelLGNcinema/lgn-platform · 2026-09-23
- Migrate hosting from Render to Vercel + Fly.io + NeonRikkayyy/CardSync · 2026-09-11
- feat: move Studio final render to Vercel Sandboxalgenri-organization/algenri-web · 2026-09-11
- Migrate fxpilot.ru from Render to VercelNicolasSavin/NicolasSavin-AI-FOREX-SIGNAL-PLATFORM · 2026-09-03
- Fix Render bandwidth: route browser ERP to Vercel, fix fee sheet syncvipinchauhan247/school-nfc-bot · 2026-08-17
- Switch deployment target from Render to VercelCS-Navodya/peopledesk-demo · 2026-08-14
Before you choose
How to approach it
Connect the repo so every push deploys and every pull request gets a preview URL. Put secrets in the platform's environment variables, never in the repo.
Common mistakes
- Leaving a paid platform on its default autoscaling and spend limits, so one viral day or a bot crawl turns into a surprise invoice.
- Putting a long-running job, websocket or large upload behind a serverless function and hitting its time or size limit in production.
- Keeping the database on a different provider or region from the app, so every query crosses the internet and pages get slow.
Other options
Real choices most makers here won't need to weigh.
Google Cloud PlatformHyperscaler cloudContainers on Cloud Run that scale to zero, next to BigQuery, Firebase and Google's AI services.184 makers' products
DigitalOceanPaaSApp Platform deploys from git next to DigitalOcean's managed databases, storage and droplets.142 makers' products
GitHub PagesFrontend cloudFree hosting for static sites, docs and landing pages published straight from a repo.113 makers' products
Microsoft AzureHyperscaler cloudApp Service, Functions and Container Apps alongside Azure OpenAI and Microsoft's identity and enterprise tooling.70 makers' products
HerokuPaaSA long-established git-push platform with managed Postgres, Redis and a large add-on marketplace.58 makers' products
PorterYour own cloud accountA Heroku-style dashboard that runs your apps on Kubernetes in your own AWS, Google Cloud or Azure account.13 makers' products
AWS AmplifyYour own cloud accountGit-connected hosting for static and SSR frontends inside your AWS account, with an optional AWS-backed backend.9 makers' products
SSTYour own cloud accountDefining an app and its AWS or Cloudflare infrastructure — functions, containers, queues, databases — in TypeScript, and deploying it with one command.7 makers' productsZeaburYour own serverA PaaS-style dashboard that deploys apps, databases and one-click templates onto servers bought through Zeabur or connected from your own cloud.3 makers' products
FirebaseFrontend cloudStatic sites and SSR apps (App Hosting) deployed next to Firebase Auth, Firestore and Cloud Functions.Decided alongside
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React175
Astro50
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PostmarkDatabase390 products
Supabase139
PostgreSQL81
MongoDB57
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Stripe
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PayPalLLM API320 products
OpenAI API242
Claude123
Gemini API55
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Plausible Analytics
UmamiProduct Analytics157 products
PostHog112
Mixpanel33
Amplitude17
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Express30
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