Deno Deploy vs Cloudflare Pages for Solo Developers

Quick Comparison

Deno Deploy Overview

Deno Deploy runs JavaScript and TypeScript on the Deno runtime across 35+ edge locations worldwide. Push your code to GitHub, and it deploys globally in seconds. The platform is built specifically for the Deno runtime, which means native TypeScript support, ES module imports, and a Web Standards-based API.

The standout feature is Deno KV, a built-in globally distributed key-value database. No external database setup required. Your data replicates across all edge locations automatically, giving you consistent low-latency reads wherever your users are. For applications that fit a key-value data model, this eliminates an entire category of infrastructure complexity.

The free tier provides 100,000 requests per day and 100 GiB of bandwidth per month. The Pro plan costs $20/month with higher limits and additional features. Cold starts are measured in milliseconds thanks to V8 isolate architecture.

Cloudflare Pages Overview

Cloudflare Pages started as a static site host and evolved into a full-stack deployment platform built on the Cloudflare Workers runtime. Connect your Git repository, push code, and your site deploys to 300+ data centers worldwide. Static assets get unlimited free bandwidth. Dynamic functionality runs through Pages Functions (powered by Workers).

The framework support is broad: Next.js, Astro, SvelteKit, Nuxt, Remix, Hugo, Gatsby, and dozens more. Build settings are auto-detected for popular frameworks. Preview deployments for pull requests are automatic and free. Every commit gets a unique URL.

The free tier is remarkably generous: unlimited bandwidth for static assets, 500 builds per month, 100,000 Workers requests per day, and unlimited sites. For most solo developer projects, you never need the paid plan.

Key Differences

Primary focus. Deno Deploy is a runtime platform for dynamic Deno applications. Cloudflare Pages is a deployment platform for websites that can also run edge functions. Deno Deploy prioritizes the server-side experience. Cloudflare Pages prioritizes the frontend deployment experience with dynamic capabilities added on top.

Runtime and ecosystem. Deno Deploy runs the Deno runtime. Cloudflare Pages Functions run the Workers runtime (based on V8 but with Cloudflare-specific APIs). Both execute JavaScript and TypeScript, but their APIs differ. Workers uses fetch handlers and has access to Cloudflare's bindings (KV, R2, D1, Queues). Deno Deploy uses Deno APIs and has access to Deno KV. If you're invested in the Deno ecosystem, Deno Deploy is native. If you use Cloudflare services, Pages is native.

Framework support. Cloudflare Pages supports dozens of frameworks with auto-detected build configurations. Deno Deploy supports Deno-native frameworks like Fresh and Hono on Deno. If you're building with Next.js, Astro, or SvelteKit, Cloudflare Pages has better support. If you're building with Deno Fresh, Deno Deploy is the natural home.

Static asset handling. Cloudflare Pages is exceptional at serving static assets: unlimited bandwidth, global CDN, optimized caching. Deno Deploy can serve static files but it's primarily designed for dynamic code execution. For content-heavy sites with lots of images and assets, Cloudflare Pages is purpose-built.

Database built-in. Deno Deploy includes Deno KV, a globally replicated key-value store. Cloudflare's equivalent offerings (Workers KV, D1, R2) are separate services that integrate with Pages but aren't as tightly coupled. Deno KV's simplicity is a genuine advantage for quick data persistence.

Edge network size. Cloudflare has 300+ locations worldwide. Deno Deploy has 35+ regions. For end-user latency, Cloudflare's larger network means your content is physically closer to more users. For most applications, both are fast enough that the difference is imperceptible.

Build system. Cloudflare Pages has a full build pipeline that runs your framework's build command, handles asset optimization, and generates preview URLs. Deno Deploy builds are simpler since Deno doesn't need a build step for most projects. Cloudflare's pipeline is more capable for complex frontend projects.

When to Choose Deno Deploy

• You're building with the Deno runtime and Deno-native frameworks (Fresh, Hono)
• Deno KV fits your data persistence needs
• You want native TypeScript without a build step
• Your project is primarily dynamic (API-heavy) rather than static content
• You prefer Deno's security model and Web Standards approach

When to Choose Cloudflare Pages

• You're building a static site, blog, or documentation site
• You're using mainstream frameworks (Next.js, Astro, SvelteKit, Nuxt)
• You want unlimited free bandwidth for static assets
• You want automatic preview deployments for pull requests
• You're already using Cloudflare's ecosystem (DNS, R2, D1, Workers KV)

The Verdict

For most solo developers, Cloudflare Pages is the more practical choice. Its framework support is broader, the free tier is more generous for static content, the edge network is larger, and the deployment experience is more polished. If you're building a website, blog, or web application with a mainstream framework, Cloudflare Pages has fewer rough edges.

Deno Deploy is the right choice when you're building specifically for the Deno runtime. If you're using Fresh or writing Deno-native server code, deploying to Deno Deploy is seamless. The Deno KV integration is also compelling if a key-value store covers your data needs.

The deciding factor is usually the runtime. If you're in the Deno ecosystem, go Deno Deploy. If you're in the broader JavaScript ecosystem or building static/JAMstack sites, go Cloudflare Pages. Both are capable edge platforms, but Cloudflare Pages serves a wider range of projects out of the box.