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Fly.io vs Netlify
Comparing two hosting & deployment platforms on pricing, features, free tier, and trade-offs.
Quick summary
Fly.io — Run user code close to users. Fly.io runs full-stack apps as micro-VMs in 30+ regions with a focus on running code close to users.
Netlify — Develop & deploy the best web experiences. Netlify is a web hosting and serverless platform for static sites and Jamstack apps with built-in CDN and forms.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Fly.io | Netlify |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Paid | Freemium |
| Starting price | Pay as you go | $19/mo |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Open source | No | No |
| Regions | 30+ | — |
| Edge Network | Yes | Yes |
| Custom Domains | Yes | Yes |
| Edge Functions | No | Yes |
| Bandwidth (free) | N/A | 100GB |
| Preview Deployments | No | Yes |
| Serverless Functions | No | Yes |
| Build Minutes (free) | — | 300/mo |
Fly.io
Run user code close to users
Pros
- True multi-region app deployment
- Runs Docker containers
- Great for stateful apps
Cons
- Steeper learning curve
- No true free tier
- CLI-heavy workflow
Netlify
Develop & deploy the best web experiences
Pros
- Framework-agnostic
- Built-in forms and identity
- Mature plugin ecosystem
Cons
- Build minutes limited on free tier
- Edge functions less powerful than Vercel's
Which should you choose?
Choose Fly.io if you need production-grade features and are ready to pay. Choose Netlify if a free tier is important for your stage.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Fly.io or Netlify?
There is no universal “better.” For most teams, Netlify is the safer default because Netlify offers a free tier, while Fly.io requires a paid plan. For edge cases, the comparison table above highlights where each tool wins.
Is Fly.io cheaper than Netlify?
Fly.io starts at Pay as you go, while Netlify starts at $19/mo. Exact costs depend on usage — check both vendors' calculators before committing.
Can I migrate from Fly.io to Netlify?
Migration difficulty depends on how deeply Fly.io-specific features (APIs, SDK conventions, data schemas) are baked into your app. Most hosting & deployment migrations take days to weeks. Both vendors typically publish migration guides — check their docs.
Is Fly.io or Netlify open source?
No — both Fly.io and Netlify are proprietary managed services. If open source is a requirement, see our alternatives pages.
Does Fly.io or Netlify have a free tier?
Netlify has a free tier; Fly.io does not.
Which is best for startups and indie hackers?
Startups usually optimize for the lowest friction to ship and the cheapest possible free tier. The one with the most generous free tier here is Netlify. For production workloads, revisit the trade-offs in the feature table above.