Overview
Netlify is strong for static sites and frontend workflows. 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 Netlify
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 Netlify may still win
Choose Netlify if your workload is mostly Jamstack and frontend builds. 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 Netlify
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
Jamstack hosting vs full-stack containers
Netlify excels at static sites and serverless functions at the edge. Better-PaaS runs long-lived Node/Python/Ruby processes with attached databases - a better fit for traditional APIs and admin panels.
FAQ
Is Better-PaaS a drop-in replacement for Netlify?
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.