DigitalOcean vs Hetzner
DigitalOcean vs Hetzner 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.
// digitalocean problems → runsite solutions
Sound Familiar?
Every DigitalOcean frustration, solved.
DigitalOcean problem
"I have to manage the server myself"
Droplets require SSH access, OS updates, security patches, nginx config, and manual deployment.
Runsite solution
Fully managed PaaS
Push to GitHub, auto-build, auto-deploy. SSL, scaling, and maintenance handled for you.
DigitalOcean problem
"DigitalOcean is a US company"
Your data is subject to US jurisdiction even on Amsterdam droplets.
Runsite solution
EU entity, EU law
Runsite is registered in the EU. Your data is governed by European privacy laws.
DigitalOcean problem
"$200 trial credit runs out"
DigitalOcean's trial is generous but temporary. After 60 days, you pay for everything.
Runsite solution
Permanent free tier
No trial period. No credit card. Build and deploy at zero cost, forever.
// comparison
Runsite vs DigitalOcean
Side-by-side. No marketing fluff — just facts.
| Feature | Runsite | DigitalOcean |
|---|---|---|
| Deployment Method | ✓ Git push, auto-build | Manual server setup |
| Server Management | ✓ Fully managed | ✗ You manage everything |
| EU Data Centers | ✓ Frankfurt (eu-central) | ✓ Amsterdam, Frankfurt |
| GDPR Compliance | ✓ EU entity | ✗ US company |
| Free Tier | ✓ Permanent | ✗ $200 trial credit |
| Basic Droplet | €5/mo (managed) | $6/mo (unmanaged) |
| SSL Certificates | ✓ Automatic | Manual setup |
// the other side
What about Hetzner?
Runsite is a European PaaS built for EU indie developers and startups. Frankfurt region, predictable EUR pricing, and a permanent free tier — a modern alternative to Hetzner.
// hetzner problems → runsite solutions
Sound Familiar?
Every Hetzner frustration, solved.
Hetzner problem
"Hetzner doesn't have EU servers"
Most PaaS platforms default to US regions. EU data residency is either unavailable or enterprise-only.
Runsite solution
EU-only infrastructure (Frankfurt)
Runsite runs exclusively in the Frankfurt region (eu-central). Your data never leaves Europe, governed by EU law.
Hetzner problem
"I got an unexpected bill"
Autoscaling and opaque add-on pricing lead to surprise invoices.
Runsite solution
Hard spending limits + alerts
Set a monthly cap. Get Telegram alerts at 80%. We physically cannot charge you more than your limit.
Hetzner problem
"The free tier expired or got removed"
Many platforms remove or time-limit their free tiers after attracting users.
Runsite solution
Permanent free tier, no credit card
Run side projects and prototypes forever. Free means free — not "free for 90 days".
// comparison
Runsite vs Hetzner
Side-by-side. No marketing fluff — just facts.
| Feature | Runsite | Hetzner |
|---|---|---|
| EU Data Center | ✓ Frankfurt (eu-central) | Limited or none |
| GDPR Compliance | ✓ Full compliance, EU entity | ✗ US company |
| Free Tier | ✓ Permanent, no expiry | Limited or paid only |
| Deploy from Git | ✓ | ✓ |
| Managed PostgreSQL | ✓ From €5/mo | Varies |
| Spending Limits | ✓ Hard cap + alerts | ✗ Not available |
// why consider runsite
Beyond DigitalOcean and Hetzner
EU PaaS for indie developers and small European startups. One region: Frankfurt.
EU-First Infrastructure
While DigitalOcean and Hetzner 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, DigitalOcean or Hetzner?
Neither DigitalOcean nor Hetzner 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, DigitalOcean or Hetzner?
Free tiers on both DigitalOcean and Hetzner 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 DigitalOcean or Hetzner 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 — DigitalOcean or Hetzner?
Pricing on both DigitalOcean and Hetzner 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 DigitalOcean vs Hetzner debate. Deploy on Runsite.
Start Free on Runsite →