Render - Managed PaaS Simplicity

Zero-config deployments from Git. Supports static sites, web services, databases, and background workers. Auto-scaling with built-in SSL and global CDN. Free tier available. Perfect for developers who want simplicity without sacrificing features.

Best for: Full-stack apps, microservices, teams wanting Heroku-like simplicity

Azure Static Web Apps - Enterprise Cloud Power

Microsoft's enterprise-grade static hosting with Azure Functions integration. Advanced features like staging environments, custom authentication, and global distribution. Deep integration with Azure DevOps and GitHub Actions.

Best for: Enterprise projects, teams already using Azure, apps needing robust authentication

DigitalOcean App Platform - VPS-Backed Simplicity

Managed platform built on DigitalOcean's infrastructure. Combines VPS power with PaaS convenience. Transparent pricing, managed databases, and easy scaling. Deploy from GitHub with automatic HTTPS.

Best for: Growing startups, developers familiar with DigitalOcean, predictable costs

Coolify - Self-Hosted Freedom

Open-source platform you install on your own server. Deploy anything Docker can run. Complete control over data, costs, and configuration. One-click apps for common services. No vendor lock-in.

Best for: Privacy-conscious developers, cost optimization, full infrastructure control

Netlify - Jamstack Pioneer

Purpose-built for static sites and serverless functions. Instant Git deployments, atomic deploys with instant rollbacks. Built-in forms, split testing, and edge functions. Excellent DX with generous free tier.

Best for: Jamstack sites, frontend-heavy apps, landing pages, documentation sites

Cloudflare Pages - Edge-First Performance

Deploys directly to Cloudflare's global edge network (300+ cities). Blazing fast with unlimited bandwidth on free tier. Integrates with Cloudflare Workers for serverless logic. Built-in analytics and DDoS protection.

Best for: Performance-critical sites, global audiences, cost-sensitive projects, edge computing