Fly.io vs DigitalOcean for Solo Developers

Quick Comparison

Fly.io Overview

Fly.io deploys Docker containers as micro VMs across a global network of edge servers. Your app can run in dozens of regions simultaneously, putting compute close to your users. The platform is CLI-driven, configured with fly.toml, and powered by Firecracker VMs that start in milliseconds.

For solo developers building global-facing products, Fly.io's architecture is compelling. Multi-region deployment is a first-class feature, not an afterthought. You also get built-in private networking, persistent volumes, managed Postgres, and LiteFS for distributed SQLite. The free tier includes 3 shared VMs, which is enough for hobby projects.

The learning curve is real, though. You'll spend time in the terminal, and the documentation assumes some Docker knowledge. If you've never written a Dockerfile, there's a ramp-up period.

DigitalOcean Overview

DigitalOcean offers cloud infrastructure that's simpler than AWS but more flexible than a PaaS. You get Droplets (VPS), App Platform (PaaS), managed Kubernetes, managed databases, Spaces (object storage), and a solid control panel. It's the sweet spot between raw infrastructure and fully managed platforms.

The App Platform is what competes most directly with Fly.io. Connect a GitHub repo, pick your resources, and DigitalOcean builds and deploys your app. It supports static sites, web services, workers, and jobs. Pricing starts at $5/month per component.

But DigitalOcean's real strength is Droplets. A $4-6/month VPS gives you a full Linux server where you can run anything. Pair it with their managed Postgres ($15/month) and you have a production-ready stack for under $25/month. The documentation is some of the best in the industry, too. Their community tutorials cover nearly every deployment scenario imaginable.

Key Differences

Platform vs. infrastructure. Fly.io is an opinionated app platform. It deploys your containers and handles networking, routing, and distribution. DigitalOcean gives you building blocks and lets you assemble them. More flexibility, more responsibility.

Global distribution. Fly.io deploys globally by default. DigitalOcean deploys to one of their data centers (NYC, SF, London, Amsterdam, Singapore, etc.). You can run Droplets in multiple regions, but you're managing that yourself. If global edge deployment matters, Fly.io is purpose-built for it.

Cost at scale. DigitalOcean's pricing is more predictable. A $6/month Droplet gives you 1GB RAM and 25GB SSD. You know exactly what you're paying. Fly.io's per-VM plus bandwidth plus storage pricing can be unpredictable, especially with traffic spikes. For budget-conscious solo developers, DigitalOcean is easier to plan around.

Management overhead. Fly.io manages your containers, networking, and TLS. DigitalOcean Droplets are unmanaged servers. You're responsible for OS updates, security patches, firewall rules, and monitoring. App Platform reduces this overhead, but Droplets require sysadmin skills. Fly.io sits in between, giving you less to manage than raw infrastructure but more than a full PaaS.

Database options. DigitalOcean's managed databases include Postgres, MySQL, Redis, MongoDB, and Kafka. They're production-grade with automatic backups, failover, and connection pooling. Fly.io's managed Postgres is deployed as a Fly app, which works but is less mature. For database needs, DigitalOcean's managed offerings are more robust.

Community and ecosystem. DigitalOcean has been around since 2011. The community tutorials, marketplace, and third-party integrations are extensive. Fly.io has a growing community but a smaller ecosystem. If you value being able to Google a problem and find a DigitalOcean tutorial, that's a real advantage.

When to Choose Fly.io

• Your app needs to run close to users globally
• You want containerized deployments without managing servers
• You're comfortable with CLI-driven workflows
• Multi-region is a requirement, not a nice-to-have
• You want free hobby deployment with always-on VMs

When to Choose DigitalOcean

• You want a VPS where you control everything
• Managed databases with automatic backups matter
• Predictable monthly billing is a priority
• You value extensive documentation and community resources
• You need infrastructure beyond just app hosting (object storage, CDN, etc.)

The Verdict

DigitalOcean and Fly.io serve different philosophies. DigitalOcean gives you a well-documented, reliable cloud with clear pricing. Fly.io gives you a global edge platform that handles deployment for you.

For solo developers who want a straightforward server to deploy apps on, DigitalOcean Droplets paired with managed Postgres is hard to beat. The pricing is clear, the platform is mature, and if anything goes wrong, there's probably a tutorial for it.

For solo developers building apps that need global performance, Fly.io is the better architecture. Deploy once, run everywhere. But you're trading DigitalOcean's simplicity and predictability for Fly.io's power and occasional rough edges.

My recommendation: if your users are mostly in one region, go with DigitalOcean. The simplicity and cost predictability will serve you well. If latency across continents matters, Fly.io is the right tool for the job.