# Zerops vs Fly.io


Zerops and Fly.io both run your app in containers without asking you to manage raw servers. Fly.io is built for edge and multi-region latency across 30+ global regions. Zerops focuses on a fully managed single-region platform: managed databases on a private network, SSH into any container, and fewer piecemeal fees for things like snapshots or inter-region traffic.

This page is a straight comparison, not a sales pitch. Where Fly.io is genuinely stronger, we say so.

## At a glance

| | Zerops | Fly.io |
|---|---|---|
| **Regions** | Single-region focus | 30+ global regions, edge-native |
| **Free tier** | Free lightweight project core | Removed in 2024, short trial only |
| **Volume snapshots** | No separate snapshot fee | Billed since Jan 2026 ($0.08/GB/mo) |
| **Inter-region networking** | N/A (single region) | Billed since Feb 2026 |
| **SSH into containers** | Yes, any container | Limited, Machines-based model |
| **Best fit** | Managed platform simplicity | Apps that need multi-region latency |

## What Fly.io is

Fly.io is an edge-focused deployment platform that runs application containers (**Machines**) across 30+ global regions. It is built for apps where geographic latency genuinely matters: putting compute close to users in many places, not only in one primary region.

## Pricing

As of **August 2026**:

- Fly.io moved to pure **pay-as-you-go** in October 2024, removing its old Hobby, Launch, and Scale plans and its permanent free allowance
- New accounts get a short trial (around 2 machine-hours or 7 days)
- A minimal always-on shared-CPU machine (256 MB RAM) runs about **$2/month**
- Realistic small production setups often land around **$10 to $20/month** once volumes, a database, and egress are added
- **Volume snapshots** started billing in January 2026 at **$0.08/GB/month**
- **Inter-region private network** charges were added in February 2026

Zerops has a free lightweight project core and bills the resources you run per minute. There is no separate snapshot fee of that shape, and inter-region networking fees do not apply because Zerops is single-region focused today.

:::tip Check current numbers
Machine rates, snapshot prices, and networking fees change. Confirm on Fly.io's own pricing page before you decide.
:::

## Where Fly.io is genuinely strong

- **Multi-region by design.** If your app truly needs to run close to users across many geographies, this is a legitimate reason to pick Fly over Zerops today.
- **Edge-native Machines.** Fine-grained control over where containers run and how they scale per region.
- **Low entry for a tiny always-on machine.** A minimal shared-CPU Machine can start around $2/month before volumes and database costs.

## Where Zerops differs

### Managed platform over edge topology

Zerops focuses on a fully managed platform experience: managed databases on the same private network as your app, SSH into any container, and operational defaults that stay simple when multi-region latency is not a hard requirement. See [Project & Services Structure](/features/infrastructure) and [Internal access](/references/networking/internal-access).

### Full Linux containers with SSH

Every Zerops container is a full Linux environment via [Incus](https://linuxcontainers.org/incus/). You can SSH into any running service. Fly.io's Machines model is more limited for general SSH into production instances.

### Fewer piecemeal infrastructure fees

Zerops does not add separate fees for volume snapshots the way Fly.io has since January 2026 ($0.08/GB/month), and it does not bill inter-region private networking (Fly.io added those charges in February 2026). If your architecture stays in one region, that simplicity usually matters more than edge placement.

### Free project core vs short trial

Zerops keeps a free lightweight project core. Fly.io removed its permanent free allowance in 2024 and replaced it with a short trial.

## Quick answers

  **Question: Is Zerops cheaper than Fly.io?**

It depends on the architecture. A minimal Fly.io Machine can be very cheap, but realistic production setups with volumes, a database, egress, snapshots, and (if used) inter-region networking often land higher. Zerops bills per minute with a free project core and no separate snapshot or inter-region fees. Compare the shape of your app, not only the cheapest Machine.

  **Question: When should I pick Fly.io over Zerops?**

When multi-region latency is a hard requirement. Fly.io runs Machines across 30+ regions and is built for edge proximity. If that is not a real need, Zerops is usually the simpler managed-platform tradeoff.

  **Question: Does Fly.io still have a free tier?**

No permanent free tier. Fly.io removed it in 2024. New accounts get a short trial (around 2 machine-hours or 7 days). Zerops has a free lightweight project core.

  **Question: Does Fly.io charge for volume snapshots?**

Yes. Volume snapshots started billing in January 2026 at $0.08/GB/month. Inter-region private network charges were added in February 2026.

  **Question: Does Fly.io give SSH like Zerops?**

Access is more limited under the Machines model. Zerops provides SSH into any running container as a full Linux environment.

## Related comparisons

- [Comparisons overview](/comparisons) — Zerops vs Railway, Render, Heroku, and Fly.io at a glance.
- [Zerops vs Railway](/comparisons/zerops-vs-railway) — Usage billing, seat fees, SSH access, and owned hardware.
- [Zerops vs Render](/comparisons/zerops-vs-render) — Workspace tiers, bandwidth changes, and free database expiry.
- [Zerops vs Heroku](/comparisons/zerops-vs-heroku) — Dyno pricing, sustaining-engineering status, and scaling limits.

## Keeping this accurate

Pricing and features change often. This page reflects information verified in **August 2026**. If something is out of date, we'd like to know. The goal is accuracy, not a stacked deck. Always check each platform's own pricing page before you decide.

:::note Still deciding?
Jump into the [Zerops Discord](https://docs.zerops.io/discord) and ask. The team can walk through your specific use case.
:::