Fly.io vs Koyeb
Fly.io 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.
// fly.io problems → runsite solutions
Sound Familiar?
Every Fly.io frustration, solved.
Fly.io problem
"Fly.io has a steep learning curve"
Machines API, fly.toml, volumes, regions — Fly.io is powerful but requires significant DevOps knowledge.
Runsite solution
Git push and done
Connect your GitHub repo, pick a region, deploy. No config files, no CLI learning curve.
Fly.io problem
"Fly.io is a US company"
Even with EU regions, Fly.io is subject to US jurisdiction and the CLOUD Act.
Runsite solution
EU-registered entity
Runsite is an EU company. Your data is governed by European law, period.
Fly.io problem
"Usage-based billing is unpredictable"
Per-second VM billing and bandwidth charges make it hard to predict monthly costs.
Runsite solution
Fixed plans + hard caps
Know exactly what you'll pay. Set a spending limit that can't be exceeded.
// comparison
Runsite vs Fly.io
Side-by-side. No marketing fluff — just facts.
| Feature | Runsite | Fly.io |
|---|---|---|
| Setup Complexity | ✓ Git push deploy | flyctl CLI + TOML config |
| EU Data Centers | ✓ Frankfurt (eu-central) | ✓ Multiple EU regions |
| GDPR Compliance | ✓ EU entity, full compliance | ✗ US company |
| Free Tier | ✓ Permanent | ✓ $5/mo free allowance |
| Managed PostgreSQL | ✓ From €5/mo | ✓ Fly Postgres |
| Docker Support | ✓ Any Dockerfile | ✓ Firecracker VMs |
| Spending Limits | ✓ Hard cap + alerts | ✗ Usage-based only |
| Learning Curve | ✓ Minimal — connect GitHub, deploy | Steep — Machines API, volumes, TOML |
// 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 Fly.io and Koyeb
EU PaaS for indie developers and small European startups. One region: Frankfurt.
EU-First Infrastructure
While Fly.io 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, Fly.io or Koyeb?
Neither Fly.io 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, Fly.io or Koyeb?
Free tiers on both Fly.io 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 Fly.io 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 — Fly.io or Koyeb?
Pricing on both Fly.io 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 Fly.io vs Koyeb debate. Deploy on Runsite.
Start Free on Runsite →