DigitalOcean vs Fly.io: 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 DigitalOcean vs Fly.io.
⚡ Quick Verdict
DigitalOcean edges ahead with a 4.5/5 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 | DigitalOcean | Fly.io |
|---|---|---|
| Solo (1 user) | $4/mo | $0/mo |
| Small (5 users) | $20/mo | $29/mo |
| Growing (10 users) | $40/mo | $29/mo |
| Free Tier | ✅ $200 free credit for 60 days (new users). | ✅ 3 shared-CPU VMs, 160 GB outbound data, 3 GB persistent volumes. |
Pricing Plans
| Plan | DigitalOcean | Fly.io |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Basic Droplet | $4/mo | $0/mo |
| Premium Droplet | $8/mo | $29/mo |
| App Platform | $5/mo | Custom |
Feature Comparison
| Feature | DigitalOcean | Fly.io |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Pricing | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Documentation | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Scaling | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ |
Pros & Cons
DigitalOcean
✅ Pros
- Predictable pricing — no surprise bills
- Excellent tutorials and community content
- Simple managed Kubernetes and databases
- Fast Droplet provisioning
❌ Cons
- Fewer services than AWS/GCP
- No free-forever tier (only 60-day credits)
- Limited enterprise features
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
Who Should Use What?
✅ Choose DigitalOcean if...
- You are a side projects and mvps
- You are a indie hackers and small teams
🚫 Skip if...
- Enterprise needing 100+ managed services
- AI/ML workloads needing GPUs
✅ 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
🏆 Our Verdict
Both DigitalOcean (4.5/5) and Fly.io (4.2/5) are excellent tools in their category. DigitalOcean 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 DigitalOcean better than Fly.io?
It depends on your needs. DigitalOcean excels in some areas while Fly.io has its own strengths. Read our full comparison above to see which tool fits your specific requirements.
How does DigitalOcean pricing compare to Fly.io?
DigitalOcean starts at Free / $4/mo, while Fly.io starts at Free / $0/mo. Both offer different value propositions — check our pricing comparison section for a detailed breakdown.
Can I migrate from DigitalOcean to Fly.io?
Yes, most B2B tools offer data import/export features. Fly.io typically provides migration guides and sometimes even dedicated support for switching from DigitalOcean.
Which is easier to use, DigitalOcean or Fly.io?
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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