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Fly.io vs Vercel
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.
Vercel — The frontend cloud. Vercel is the platform built by the creators of Next.js, offering edge-first hosting, preview deployments, and serverless functions.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Fly.io | Vercel |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Paid | Freemium |
| Starting price | Pay as you go | $20/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) | — | 6000/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
Vercel
The frontend cloud
Pros
- Best-in-class Next.js support
- Fast global edge network
- Excellent DX with Git integration
Cons
- Expensive at scale
- Vendor lock-in with Edge runtime
- Function timeout limits
Which should you choose?
Choose Fly.io if you need production-grade features and are ready to pay. Choose Vercel if a free tier is important for your stage.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Fly.io or Vercel?
There is no universal “better.” For most teams, Vercel is the safer default because Vercel 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 Vercel?
Fly.io starts at Pay as you go, while Vercel starts at $20/mo. Exact costs depend on usage — check both vendors' calculators before committing.
Can I migrate from Fly.io to Vercel?
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 Vercel open source?
No — both Fly.io and Vercel are proprietary managed services. If open source is a requirement, see our alternatives pages.
Does Fly.io or Vercel have a free tier?
Vercel 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 Vercel. For production workloads, revisit the trade-offs in the feature table above.