Fly.io vs Netlify
Fly.io vs Netlify 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 Netlify?
Netlify excels at static sites. Runsite handles everything else — backend, databases, and full-stack apps on EU servers.
// netlify problems → runsite solutions
Sound Familiar?
Every Netlify frustration, solved.
Netlify problem
"Netlify can't host my backend"
Netlify Functions are limited to 10-second execution. Long-running APIs need a separate hosting provider.
Runsite solution
Persistent containers for any backend
Run long-lived processes, WebSocket servers, background workers — anything Docker can run.
Netlify problem
"No managed databases"
Netlify doesn't offer databases. You need PlanetScale, Supabase, or AWS RDS on top.
Runsite solution
PostgreSQL + Redis included
Managed databases on the same platform. One bill, one dashboard, one support channel.
Netlify problem
"Compute runs in the US"
Netlify Functions run in US regions by default. EU users get higher latency.
Runsite solution
EU-only compute and storage
Everything runs in our Frankfurt (eu-central) region. Sub-20ms for users in DACH and Benelux, single-digit ms within Germany.
// comparison
Runsite vs Netlify
Side-by-side. No marketing fluff — just facts.
| Feature | Runsite | Netlify |
|---|---|---|
| Backend Hosting | ✓ Full containers, any stack | Serverless functions only |
| EU Data Centers | ✓ Frankfurt (eu-central) | ✗ CDN edge only |
| GDPR Compliance | ✓ EU entity, full compliance | ✗ US company |
| Docker Support | ✓ Any Dockerfile | ✗ Not supported |
| Managed Database | ✓ PostgreSQL from €5/mo | ✗ Not available |
| Static Hosting | Via S3 + CDN | ✓ Best-in-class |
| Free Tier | ✓ Permanent | ✓ Generous for static |
// why consider runsite
Beyond Fly.io and Netlify
EU PaaS for indie developers and small European startups. One region: Frankfurt.
EU-First Infrastructure
While Fly.io and Netlify 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 Netlify?
Neither Fly.io nor Netlify 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 Netlify?
Free tiers on both Fly.io and Netlify 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 Netlify 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 Netlify?
Pricing on both Fly.io and Netlify 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 Netlify debate. Deploy on Runsite.
Start Free on Runsite →