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Fly.io

A platform that runs Docker containers as small VMs across many regions, billed per second.

usage-based from ~$2.02/mo (shared-cpu-1x, 256 MB)
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What it actually does

Fly.io runs your Docker containers as lightweight VMs (Machines) in 35 regions, billed per second on machine size. Machines start and stop in milliseconds, so scale-to-zero setups can cost under $1/mo.

A shared-cpu-1x with 256 MB is about $2/mo, and egress is $0.02/GB in North America and Europe, the lowest of the managed platforms in this comparison. RAM beyond bundled amounts is about $5/GB/mo and volumes are $0.15/GB/mo.

There is no free tier for new signups (only $5 in trial credits), there is no managed Postgres worth relying on, and deploys run through flyctl and Docker rather than a native git-push flow, so it rewards developers comfortable with containers.

Fly.io vs its main rivals

The tools people actually weigh against Fly.io: Railway, Render, Koyeb. Same criteria for every column, including where Fly.io loses.

Fly.io logoFly.ioRailway logoRailwayRender logoRenderKoyeb logoKoyeb
Pricing & access
Free tierNoNo (trial $5)NoNo (one-time $5)YesYes (spins down)NoNo (Hobby paid)
Starting price~$2/mo$5/mo$7/mo$2.70/mo
Free tier for commercial useNoNoNoNoYesYesNoNo
Platform & runtime
Git-push deployNoflyctl/CIYesYesYesYesYesYes
Managed databaseNoUnmanagedYesPostgresYesPostgresYesPostgres
Regions35 regions4 regionsGlobal CDNGlobal edge
Scaling & limits
Egress rate$0.02/GB$0.05/GB$0.15/GB$0.04/GB
Scale to zeroYesMs startYesYesNoPaid always-onYesYes
RAM cost$5/GB/mo$10/GB/moBundledBundled
Developer & API
Machines APIFreeFreeFreeFree
CLIFreeFreeFreeFree
Team & support
Paid support tier$29/moProPaidEmail
Worth it for
  • Low-cost always-on VM on a managed platform: shared-cpu-1x with 256 MB is about $2/mo
  • Egress at $0.02/GB in North America and Europe is the lowest among the managed platforms compared here
  • Machines start and stop in milliseconds, so scale-to-zero setups can cost under $1/mo
Watch out for
  • No free tier for new signups, and support beyond community costs $29/mo
  • No managed Postgres worth relying on, so you pair it with Supabase or Neon anyway
  • Not git-push native; deploys go through flyctl/Docker and failed deploys can eat solo-founder hours

Pay less for it

4 ways found
Scale to zero

Millisecond machine starts let idle apps drop under $1/mo.

Machine reservations

Reserving machine capacity gives a discount on compute (up to ~40% on longer commitments).

Right-size machines

A shared-cpu-1x at 256 MB is about $2/mo; only add RAM ($5/GB) when you need it.

Cheaper swap

Hetzner Cloud — ~$5/mo buys 4 GB/2 vCPU always-on with 20 TB traffic if you can run your own ops.

See this for your whole stack, with your real numbers

StackTracker tracks what you actually pay for Fly.io and every other tool, flags overpayment, and shows the dollars you would save by switching.

See plans

Is it the right tool for you

Pick it if
  • You are comfortable with Docker and flyctl
  • You want cheap always-on VMs and the lowest egress rates
  • You need multiple regions close to users
Skip it if
  • You want a native git-push flow and a managed database → use Render
  • You want the same specs even cheaper and can do full ops yourself → use Hetzner Cloud

Track what Fly.io and the rest of your stack cost

StackTracker adds up every subscription, plus your hours, so you see the real number.

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Prices and limits last verified 2026-07-20.