Overview
Fly.io is strong for distributed app hosting close to users. Better-PaaS is for developers who want a lighter self-hosted platform: push code from Git, run apps as Docker containers, route traffic through Caddy, and keep apps, secrets, and data on infrastructure they control.
When Better-PaaS is a better fit than Fly.io
Better-PaaS fits teams that want the Heroku-style workflow without handing the runtime to a hosted provider. It is especially useful for small products, internal tools, homelab services, and client apps that should stay on a VPS or private server.
- Git-based deploys
- Docker container runtime
- Automatic HTTPS through Caddy
- Postgres, Redis, and MySQL support
- No per-seat platform pricing
When Fly.io may still win
Choose Fly.io if multi-region placement matters more than simple VPS control. A good comparison page should be honest: hosted platforms and larger orchestration systems can be better when you need managed global infrastructure, enterprise support, or deep ecosystem integrations.
Migration path from Fly.io
Most teams start by installing Better-PaaS on a VPS, connecting the same Git repository, setting environment variables, adding a database if needed, then pointing a custom domain once the app is healthy.
- Install Better-PaaS on a Linux VPS
- Connect the repository and branch
- Copy environment variables
- Deploy and inspect logs
- Switch DNS after validation
Fly.io regions vs one VPS
Fly.io places VMs close to users in many regions. Better-PaaS targets one primary server - add Cloudflare CDN in front if static assets need geographic caching.
FAQ
Is Better-PaaS a drop-in replacement for Fly.io?
Not always. Better-PaaS is self-hosted, so it replaces the deployment workflow more than the managed infrastructure contract. You own the server and the maintenance choices.
Does Better-PaaS support custom domains and HTTPS?
Yes. Better-PaaS uses Caddy to route domains and automate HTTPS certificates when DNS points to your server.