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Coolify vs Render

Coolify and Render are both hosting/deployment tools. Coolify: Open-source self-hostable alternative to Heroku Netlify and Vercel for your own servers Render: Unified cloud for web services databases cron jobs and static sites with auto-deploy

Coolify logo

Coolify

Open-source self-hostable alternative to Heroku Netlify and Vercel for your own servers

Category
Hosting/Deployment
Subcategory
Self-Hosted PaaS
Pricing
Open Source / Cloud $5/mo
Tier
open-source
hosting/deploymentself-hosted paasopen-source
Render logo

Render

Unified cloud for web services databases cron jobs and static sites with auto-deploy

Category
Hosting/Deployment
Subcategory
Full-Stack PaaS
Pricing
Free tier / Pro $19/mo
Tier
free
hosting/deploymentfull-stack paasdeployment

Key differences

DimensionCoolifyRender
Pricing ModelOpen Source / Cloud $5/mo (open-source)Free tier / Pro $19/mo (free)
PlatformSelf-Hosted PaaSFull-Stack PaaS
Open SourceYesNo
Capabilitiesself-hosted paas, open-sourcefull-stack paas, deployment

Choose Coolify if...

  • You need full control over the source code

Choose Render if...

  • You need built-in deployment features

Community pros and cons

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Frequently asked questions

Is Coolify or Render better for beginners?
Both tools are accessible. Coolify and Render are similar in approachability — try both and see which workflow clicks.
Which is cheaper, Coolify or Render?
Coolify (Open Source / Cloud $5/mo) is the more affordable option. Render (Free tier / Pro $19/mo) costs more but may offer additional features.
Can I use Coolify and Render together?
Coolify and Render serve similar roles, so most teams pick one. However, some developers prototype in one and build production code in the other.
Is Coolify open source?
Yes, Coolify is open source. Render is proprietary.

Verdict

Both Coolify and Render are strong hosting/deployment options. Your choice depends on pricing preferences, platform requirements, and workflow fit.

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