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Cloudflare Pages vs Fly.io
Comparing two hosting & deployment platforms on pricing, features, free tier, and trade-offs.
Quick summary
Cloudflare Pages — Deploy on the world's most global network. Cloudflare Pages is a Jamstack hosting platform with unlimited bandwidth, deep Workers integration, and edge-first architecture.
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.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Cloudflare Pages | Fly.io |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Freemium | Paid |
| Starting price | $20/mo | Pay as you go |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Open source | No | No |
| Edge Network | Yes | Yes |
| Custom Domains | Yes | Yes |
| Edge Functions | Yes | No |
| Bandwidth (free) | Unlimited | N/A |
| Preview Deployments | Yes | No |
| Build Minutes (free) | 500/mo | — |
| Serverless Functions | Yes | No |
| Regions | — | 30+ |
Cloudflare Pages
Deploy on the world's most global network
Pros
- Unlimited bandwidth on free tier
- Massive global edge network (300+ PoPs)
- Great for Workers apps
Cons
- Next.js support less polished than Vercel
- Workers runtime limitations
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
Which should you choose?
Choose Cloudflare Pages if a free tier is important for your stage. Choose Fly.io if you need production-grade features and are ready to pay.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Cloudflare Pages or Fly.io?
There is no universal “better.” For most teams, Cloudflare Pages is the safer default because Cloudflare Pages offers a free tier (paid plans from $20/mo), while Fly.io requires a paid plan. For edge cases, the comparison table above highlights where each tool wins.
Is Cloudflare Pages cheaper than Fly.io?
Cloudflare Pages starts at $20/mo, while Fly.io starts at Pay as you go. Exact costs depend on usage — check both vendors' calculators before committing.
Can I migrate from Cloudflare Pages to Fly.io?
Migration difficulty depends on how deeply Cloudflare Pages-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 Cloudflare Pages or Fly.io open source?
No — both Cloudflare Pages and Fly.io are proprietary managed services. If open source is a requirement, see our alternatives pages.
Does Cloudflare Pages or Fly.io have a free tier?
Cloudflare Pages 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 Cloudflare Pages. For production workloads, revisit the trade-offs in the feature table above.