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Fly.io vs Render
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.
Render — Cloud for developers. Render is a unified cloud for web services, static sites, cron jobs, and managed databases with a free tier.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Fly.io | Render |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Paid | Freemium |
| Starting price | Pay as you go | $7/mo per service |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Open source | No | No |
| Regions | 30+ | — |
| Edge Network | Yes | Yes |
| Custom Domains | Yes | Yes |
| Edge Functions | No | No |
| Bandwidth (free) | N/A | 100GB |
| Preview Deployments | No | Yes |
| Serverless Functions | No | No |
| Databases Included | — | Yes |
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
Render
Cloud for developers
Pros
- Free tier for static + web services
- Managed Postgres with backups
- Simple pricing
Cons
- Free tier sleeps after inactivity
- Build times slower than Vercel
Which should you choose?
Choose Fly.io if you need production-grade features and are ready to pay. Choose Render if a free tier is important for your stage.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Fly.io or Render?
There is no universal “better.” For most teams, Render is the safer default because Render 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 Render?
Fly.io starts at Pay as you go, while Render starts at $7/mo per service. Exact costs depend on usage — check both vendors' calculators before committing.
Can I migrate from Fly.io to Render?
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 Render open source?
No — both Fly.io and Render are proprietary managed services. If open source is a requirement, see our alternatives pages.
Does Fly.io or Render have a free tier?
Render 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 Render. For production workloads, revisit the trade-offs in the feature table above.