Cloudflare Pages vs GitHub Pages
Cloudflare Pages vs GitHub 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.
// 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 |
// the other side
What about GitHub Pages?
GitHub Pages hosts static files. Runsite hosts actual applications — APIs, databases, background workers, and more.
// github pages problems → runsite solutions
Sound Familiar?
Every GitHub Pages frustration, solved.
GitHub Pages problem
"GitHub Pages can't run my API"
It serves static files only. No Node.js, no Python, no server-side code. You need a separate backend provider.
Runsite solution
Full-stack hosting, one platform
Deploy your frontend and backend together. Run any language in Docker containers with databases and storage.
GitHub Pages problem
"I can't use it for commercial projects"
GitHub Pages Terms of Service prohibit using it for online businesses, e-commerce, or SaaS.
Runsite solution
Built for production and SaaS
Runsite is designed for production workloads. Deploy commercial apps with full EU compliance.
GitHub Pages problem
"1GB size limit and 100GB bandwidth"
GitHub Pages limits repos to 1GB and bandwidth to 100GB/month. Growing projects hit these limits fast.
Runsite solution
No artificial limits
S3-compatible object storage for assets. Compute and bandwidth that scale with your needs.
// comparison
Runsite vs GitHub Pages
Side-by-side. No marketing fluff — just facts.
| Feature | Runsite | GitHub Pages |
|---|---|---|
| Backend/API Hosting | ✓ Full containers, any language | ✗ Static files only |
| Databases | ✓ Managed PostgreSQL from €5/mo | ✗ Not available |
| Docker Support | ✓ Any Dockerfile | ✗ Not supported |
| GDPR Compliance | ✓ EU entity | ✗ US company (Microsoft) |
| EU Data Centers | ✓ Frankfurt (eu-central) | ✗ Global CDN, no region control |
| Commercial Use | ✓ Allowed | ✗ Explicitly prohibited |
| Static Site Hosting | Via S3 + CDN | ✓ Free, simple |
| Price | Free tier + from €5/mo | ✓ Free (public repos) |
// why consider runsite
Beyond Cloudflare Pages and GitHub Pages
EU PaaS for indie developers and small European startups. One region: Frankfurt.
EU-First Infrastructure
While Cloudflare Pages and GitHub 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, Cloudflare Pages or GitHub Pages?
Neither Cloudflare Pages nor GitHub 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, Cloudflare Pages or GitHub Pages?
Free tiers on both Cloudflare Pages and GitHub 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 Cloudflare Pages or GitHub 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 — Cloudflare Pages or GitHub Pages?
Pricing on both Cloudflare Pages and GitHub 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 Cloudflare Pages vs GitHub Pages debate. Deploy on Runsite.
Start Free on Runsite →