App platforms

DigitalOcean App Platform vs Fly.io

Choose DigitalOcean App Platform when you want a free static site or a shared container at a flat $5/mo. Choose Fly.io when the app should run close to users in more than one region and you can watch a usage bill.

DigitalOcean App Platform

Git deploys with a free static tier and paid containers

Free static tier, containers from $5/mo

Strengths

  • Static sites can stay on the free tier
  • A shared container has a flat monthly price

Limits

  • The $5 container is one shared instance with 512 MiB
  • A development database costs extra and is destroyed with the app

Vendor pricing Alternatives

Fly.io

Run apps close to users on a global edge

Usage-based

Strengths

  • Machines can run in many regions
  • Fits latency-sensitive APIs

Limits

  • The bill is usage-based, so it is harder to cap
  • You still manage app config and regions

Vendor pricing Alternatives