Fly.io vs Render: Which One Fits Your Solo Dev Stack?
Free tier limits, real costs for 1-10 users, and honest "not for" warnings. The Solo Dev decision guide for Fly.io vs Render.
⚡ Quick Verdict
Render edges ahead with a 4.4/5 rating. However, the best choice depends on your team size, budget, and workflow needs. Read on for the full breakdown.
💰 Cost by Team Size
| Team Size | Fly.io | Render |
|---|---|---|
| Solo (1 user) | $0/mo | $0/mo |
| Small (5 users) | $29/mo | $19/mo |
| Growing (10 users) | $29/mo | $19/mo |
| Free Tier | ✅ 3 shared-CPU VMs, 160 GB outbound data, 3 GB persistent volumes. | ✅ Static sites unlimited. Free web services spin down after 15min of inactivity. 750 hours/mo free instance. |
Pricing Plans
| Plan | Fly.io | Render |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Launch | $0/mo | $7/mo |
| Scale | $29/mo | $19/mo |
| Enterprise | Custom | Custom |
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Fly.io | Render |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Documentation | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
Pros & Cons
Fly.io
✅ Pros
- Deploy to 30+ regions for low-latency globally
- Run any Docker container — language agnostic
- Real Machines API for custom orchestration
- SQLite on Fly (LiteFS) for edge-native databases
❌ Cons
- Steeper learning curve than Vercel/Render
- CLI-centric workflow can frustrate dashboard users
- Billing can be unpredictable with usage-based model
Render
✅ Pros
- Simple GitHub/GitLab deploy pipeline
- Generous free tier for static sites
- Built-in PostgreSQL databases
- Transparent pricing — no surprise bills
❌ Cons
- Free tier services spin down (cold starts)
- Performance can lag behind Vercel/Fly.io for edge workloads
- Limited regions compared to major clouds
Who Should Use What?
✅ Choose Fly.io if...
- You are a globally distributed apps
- You are a docker-based deployments
🚫 Skip if...
- Beginners wanting one-click deploy
- Static site hosting
✅ Choose Render if...
- You are a side projects and mvps
- You are a full-stack apps needing managed db
🚫 Skip if...
- Enterprise with multi-region requirements
- Real-time low-latency apps
🏆 Our Verdict
Both Fly.io (4.2/5) and Render (4.4/5) are excellent tools in their category. Render takes a slight edge overall, but the best choice ultimately depends on your team's specific needs, budget, and existing tool ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fly.io better than Render?
It depends on your needs. Fly.io excels in some areas while Render has its own strengths. Read our full comparison above to see which tool fits your specific requirements.
How does Fly.io pricing compare to Render?
Fly.io starts at Free / $0/mo, while Render starts at Free / $7/mo. Both offer different value propositions — check our pricing comparison section for a detailed breakdown.
Can I migrate from Fly.io to Render?
Yes, most B2B tools offer data import/export features. Render typically provides migration guides and sometimes even dedicated support for switching from Fly.io.
Which is easier to use, Fly.io or Render?
Ease of use depends on your team's experience and workflow preferences. We evaluated both tools on usability — see our feature comparison scores above for details.
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