Overview
Kubernetes is strong for cluster orchestration. 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 a single-server PaaS is enough
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 Kubernetes may still win
Choose Kubernetes if you need cluster-level scheduling, operators, and multi-node scale. 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 Kubernetes
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
Single-server PaaS vs Kubernetes threshold
Kubernetes pays off with multiple nodes, team SRE capacity, and complex service topology. Better-PaaS fits when one or two VPS instances host under ~20 services and you want Heroku-like UX without etcd, CNI, and cluster upgrades.
FAQ
Is Better-PaaS a drop-in replacement for Kubernetes?
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.