AWS Amplify vs Cloudflare Pages
AWS Amplify vs Cloudflare Pages compared for European indie developers and small startups. Pricing, EU jurisdiction, GDPR posture — and why Runsite (an EU-registered PaaS in Frankfurt) is worth a look.
// aws amplify problems → runsite solutions
Sound Familiar?
Every AWS Amplify frustration, solved.
AWS Amplify problem
"AWS is too complex"
IAM roles, VPCs, CloudFormation, Amplify CLI — deploying a simple app requires DevOps knowledge.
Runsite solution
Git push and done
No AWS Console. No IAM. Connect your repo, pick EU, deploy. Two minutes.
AWS Amplify problem
"I can't understand my AWS bill"
Lambda invocations, API Gateway requests, S3 operations, data transfer — 20+ line items.
Runsite solution
Simple, fixed pricing
One plan. One monthly price. With a hard spending cap so you never overpay.
AWS Amplify problem
"Free tier expires after 12 months"
AWS free tier is a 12-month trial. After that, everything is billed.
Runsite solution
Free forever, no expiry
Runsite's free tier doesn't expire. Build side projects without watching a countdown.
// comparison
Runsite vs AWS Amplify
Side-by-side. No marketing fluff — just facts.
| Feature | Runsite | AWS Amplify |
|---|---|---|
| Complexity | ✓ Simple — git push deploy | AWS Console + IAM + CloudFormation |
| EU Data Centers | ✓ Frankfurt (eu-central) | ✓ eu-west, eu-central |
| GDPR Compliance | ✓ EU entity | Complex — requires AWS DPA |
| Backend Hosting | ✓ Full containers | Lambda functions |
| Pricing Clarity | ✓ Fixed plans | ✗ 20+ line items per invoice |
| Free Tier | ✓ Permanent | ✓ 12 months then paid |
// the other side
What about Cloudflare Pages?
Cloudflare Pages serves static sites and edge functions beautifully. But for full-stack apps with databases and Docker, you need Runsite.
// cloudflare pages problems → runsite solutions
Sound Familiar?
Every Cloudflare Pages frustration, solved.
Cloudflare Pages problem
"Pages Functions can't run my backend"
Cloudflare's edge functions have CPU time limits and no native Node.js modules. Complex backends don't fit.
Runsite solution
Full Docker containers
Run any framework in persistent containers. No CPU time limits, no V8 isolate restrictions.
Cloudflare Pages problem
"I need PostgreSQL, not D1"
Cloudflare's D1 is SQLite-based with size limits. Production apps need a real relational database.
Runsite solution
Managed PostgreSQL from €5/mo
Standard PostgreSQL with auto-backups, point-in-time recovery, and no vendor lock-in.
Cloudflare Pages problem
"Cloudflare is a US company"
Even with EU data centers, Cloudflare is subject to US jurisdiction and the CLOUD Act.
Runsite solution
EU entity, full sovereignty
Runsite is registered in the EU. Your data is governed by European law with no US jurisdictional exposure.
// comparison
Runsite vs Cloudflare Pages
Side-by-side. No marketing fluff — just facts.
| Feature | Runsite | Cloudflare Pages |
|---|---|---|
| Backend Hosting | ✓ Full containers, any stack | Edge Functions only (V8 isolates) |
| Docker Support | ✓ Any Dockerfile | ✗ Not supported |
| Managed PostgreSQL | ✓ From €5/mo | ✗ Not available (use D1/KV) |
| Long-Running Processes | ✓ Persistent containers | ✗ Edge functions have CPU time limits |
| GDPR Compliance | ✓ EU entity | ✗ US company (San Francisco) |
| Static Site Hosting | Via S3 + CDN | ✓ Unlimited bandwidth, global CDN |
| Bandwidth Cost | Included in plan | ✓ Free, unlimited |
| Edge Network | EU-focused | ✓ 300+ global PoPs |
// why consider runsite
Beyond AWS Amplify and Cloudflare Pages
EU PaaS for indie developers and small European startups. One region: Frankfurt.
EU-First Infrastructure
While AWS Amplify and Cloudflare Pages default to US markets, Runsite is built exclusively for European developers. Frankfurt (eu-central) region, EU entity, EU jurisdiction — no transatlantic transfers.
Real GDPR Compliance
EU-registered entity. Your data is governed by European law. No US jurisdiction, no CLOUD Act.
Predictable Pricing
No per-invocation charges, no surprise bills. Fixed plans with hard spending caps and Telegram alerts.
Common Questions
FAQ
Which is better for EU hosting, AWS Amplify or Cloudflare Pages?
Neither AWS Amplify nor Cloudflare Pages is EU-native. Both are US-headquartered and route the majority of traffic through US data centers. For genuine EU data residency, an EU-registered platform like Runsite is the safer choice — a Frankfurt (eu-central) region under EU jurisdiction, no transatlantic transfers, no CLOUD Act exposure.
Which has the better free tier, AWS Amplify or Cloudflare Pages?
Free tiers on both AWS Amplify and Cloudflare Pages change frequently and often include compute or bandwidth caps that expire after a trial period. If a permanent free tier matters, evaluate the current terms on each provider before committing.
Is AWS Amplify or Cloudflare Pages GDPR-compliant?
Both can be configured to support GDPR-compliant workloads via Data Processing Agreements (DPAs), but as US entities they remain subject to the CLOUD Act. For workloads where US jurisdiction is a hard blocker, an EU-headquartered provider is required.
What is the cheapest way to deploy a side project — AWS Amplify or Cloudflare Pages?
Pricing on both AWS Amplify and Cloudflare Pages can scale unpredictably with traffic or build minutes. Hard spending caps are not available on either platform. Predictable monthly pricing with usage caps is a differentiator to look for elsewhere.
// explore alternatives
Try the European Alternative
Skip the AWS Amplify vs Cloudflare Pages debate. Deploy on Runsite.
Start Free on Runsite →