How to choose cloud compute without re-platforming later
Start with the right ownership level: raw VMs for maximum control, VPS providers for simplicity and predictable pricing, or app platforms to minimize infra ownership.
Top Rated Cloud Compute
AWS EC2
General-purpose virtual machines on AWS for teams that need full control over runtime, networking, and scaling patterns....
Google Compute Engine
General-purpose virtual machines on Google Cloud for teams that want IaaS control while staying inside the GCP ecosystem....
Azure Virtual Machines
General-purpose virtual machines on Microsoft Azure for teams that need VM-level control with Azure-native governance and tooling....
DigitalOcean Droplets
Simple, developer-friendly cloud VMs with predictable pricing, often chosen by small teams for straightforward hosting....
Linode
Developer-focused VPS compute with predictable pricing, positioned as a simpler alternative to hyperscaler VM offerings....
Hetzner Cloud
Cost-effective cloud VMs with strong price/performance, often chosen for Europe-centric deployments and straightforward infrastructure....
Fly.io
Deploy apps close to users with a global platform that emphasizes multi-region placement and operational simplicity for distributed apps....
Render
Managed app hosting platform optimized for simplicity, enabling teams to deploy web services and workers without owning infrastructure primi...
Railway
Developer platform for deploying apps and services quickly with an emphasis on developer experience and iteration speed....
Cloudflare Workers
Edge compute runtime for running code close to users, optimized for latency and global distribution with runtime constraints....
Pricing and availability may change. Verify details on the official website.
How to Choose the Right Cloud Compute Platform
Operational ownership vs simplicity
VMs provide maximum control but require lifecycle ownership. PaaS platforms reduce ownership but trade away flexibility.
Questions to ask:
- Can your team own patching, images, and scaling practices?
- Do you need full OS/runtime control or will a platform abstraction work?
- What are your networking and compliance requirements?
Predictable pricing vs ecosystem depth
Independents are often easier to forecast. Hyperscalers offer deeper ecosystems and enterprise governance but require cost management discipline.
Questions to ask:
- Is predictable monthly spend a hard constraint?
- Do you need deep identity/networking/governance integration?
- Will you rely on hyperscaler managed services heavily?
How We Rank Cloud Compute
Source-Led Facts
We prioritize official pricing pages and vendor documentation over third-party review noise.
Intent Over Pricing
A $0 plan is only a "deal" if it actually solves your problem. We rank based on use-case fitness.
Durable Ranges
Vendor prices change daily. We highlight stable pricing bands to help you plan your long-term budget.