AWS vs Koyeb
AWS vs Koyeb 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 problems → runsite solutions
Sound Familiar?
Every AWS frustration, solved.
AWS problem
"I need DevOps just to deploy a simple app"
EC2 requires VPC config, security groups, IAM roles, and manual deployment pipelines. Even ECS/Fargate has a steep learning curve.
Runsite solution
Git push and done
Connect your GitHub repo, choose a region, deploy. No cloud certifications required.
AWS problem
"My AWS bill had 47 line items"
EC2, EBS, data transfer, NAT gateway, CloudWatch, Route53, ACM — every service adds charges.
Runsite solution
One line on your invoice
Web service: €5/mo. PostgreSQL: €5/mo. That's it. No data transfer fees, no hidden charges.
AWS problem
"Budget alerts don't actually stop spending"
AWS sends you an email when you hit 80% budget. But charges keep accruing. There's no hard cap.
Runsite solution
Hard spending cap + Telegram alerts
Set a monthly limit. Get Telegram notifications at 80%. We physically stop charges at your cap.
// comparison
Runsite vs AWS
Side-by-side. No marketing fluff — just facts.
| Feature | Runsite | AWS |
|---|---|---|
| Setup Complexity | ✓ Git push deploy | EC2 + VPC + IAM + Security Groups |
| Billing Clarity | ✓ One plan, one price | ✗ 20+ line items per invoice |
| Spending Limits | ✓ Hard cap — cannot overspend | ✗ Budget alerts only, charges continue |
| GDPR Compliance | ✓ EU entity, not subject to CLOUD Act | ✗ US company, CLOUD Act applies |
| Free Tier | ✓ Permanent | 12-month trial only |
| Data Egress | ✓ Included in plan | $0.09/GB after 100GB |
| Service Catalog | Focused PaaS | ✓ 200+ services |
| Global Regions | Frankfurt (eu-central) only | ✓ 30+ regions worldwide |
// the other side
What about Koyeb?
Koyeb was a great indie PaaS — until Mistral AI acquired it. Runsite is an independent EU PaaS focused on developers, not AI infrastructure.
// koyeb problems → runsite solutions
Sound Familiar?
Every Koyeb frustration, solved.
Koyeb problem
"Koyeb got acquired — what happens now?"
Mistral AI bought Koyeb in February 2026 to build AI infrastructure. The general-purpose PaaS roadmap is uncertain.
Runsite solution
Independent, developer-focused PaaS
Runsite is an independent EU company. Our roadmap serves web developers, not AI training pipelines.
Koyeb problem
"New signups need Pro at $29/mo"
Koyeb's free Starter tier is being restricted. New users must subscribe to Pro ($29/mo) to get started.
Runsite solution
Free tier for everyone
Sign up, deploy, no credit card. Runsite's free tier is and will remain open to all developers.
Koyeb problem
"Free PostgreSQL is only 5 hours/month"
Koyeb's free Postgres allocation runs out fast. It's not usable for any persistent application.
Runsite solution
Always-on managed PostgreSQL
Runsite's free tier includes always-on services. Paid PostgreSQL from €5/mo with auto-backups.
// comparison
Runsite vs Koyeb
Side-by-side. No marketing fluff — just facts.
| Feature | Runsite | Koyeb |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Independence | ✓ Independent company | ✗ Acquired by Mistral AI (Feb 2026) |
| Free Tier Access | ✓ Open to all, no credit card | ✗ New signups require Pro ($29/mo) |
| Free PostgreSQL | ✓ Always available | ✗ 5 hours/month only |
| EU Region | ✓ Frankfurt (EU entity) | Frankfurt (US-incorporated parent) |
| Spending Limits | ✓ Hard cap + Telegram alerts | ✗ Usage-based billing |
| Paid Entry Price | €5/mo | $29/mo (Pro) |
| Scale to Zero | Coming soon | ✓ Built-in autoscaling |
| GPU Instances | Not available | ✓ Via Mistral infrastructure |
// why consider runsite
Beyond AWS and Koyeb
EU PaaS for indie developers and small European startups. One region: Frankfurt.
EU-First Infrastructure
While AWS and Koyeb 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 or Koyeb?
Neither AWS nor Koyeb 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 or Koyeb?
Free tiers on both AWS and Koyeb 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 or Koyeb 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 or Koyeb?
Pricing on both AWS and Koyeb 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 vs Koyeb debate. Deploy on Runsite.
Start Free on Runsite →