# Zerops vs Render Zerops and Render are both PaaS platforms for deploying apps without managing raw servers. Render leans toward predictable, plan-based pricing. Zerops leans toward per-minute compute with no workspace fee and full Linux containers you can SSH into. This page is a straight comparison, not a sales pitch. Where Render is genuinely stronger, we say so. ## At a glance | | Zerops | Render | | ----------------------- | ----------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | **Pricing model** | Compute billed per minute, no workspace fee | Flat workspace tier + separate compute | | **Included bandwidth** | No separate bandwidth fee tiers | Cut in April 2026 (Pro: 500 GB to 25 GB) | | **Free database** | Managed databases, no expiry | Free Postgres expires after 30 days unless upgraded, and is deleted after the grace period | | **SSH into containers** | Yes, any container | No, more restricted service model | | **Best fit** | Full Linux control + permanent managed services | Predictable plan pricing, simple static sites | ## What Render is Render is a PaaS built around predictable, plan-based pricing rather than pure usage billing. It is a common choice for static sites, web services, and teams that want costs to map cleanly to a workspace tier. ## Pricing As of **August 2026**: Render restructured its pricing on **April 23, 2026**, replacing per-seat fees with flat workspace tiers (roughly $0 to $499/month depending on tier) plus separate per-second compute charges: - Starter-tier compute starts around **$7/month** per service - Standard-tier compute starts around **$25/month** per service - That same update reduced included bandwidth substantially: Pro-tier included bandwidth dropped from **500 GB to 25 GB**, and Hobby from **100 GB to 5 GB** - The free Postgres tier is **deleted after 30 days** with no grace period Zerops has no separate workspace fee layered on top of compute. You pay for the project core and the resources you run, billed per minute. :::tip Check current numbers Workspace tiers, bandwidth allowances, and compute rates change. Confirm on Render's own pricing page before you decide. ::: ## Where Render is genuinely strong - **Predictable monthly cost.** Most of the bill maps to a plan tier instead of raw usage, which is easier to forecast. - **Static sites and simple services.** A good fit when the free tier (or a low workspace tier) covers what you need. - **Familiar PaaS model.** Web services, background workers, and cron jobs in a well-understood shape. ## Where Zerops differs ### No workspace fee on top of compute Zerops does not charge a separate workspace fee layered on top of compute. Billing is per-minute resource usage plus the project core. Render's model is a flat workspace tier plus separate compute. ### Permanent managed databases Zerops databases are permanent managed services, not free tiers with expiry dates. Render's free Postgres is deleted after 30 days with no grace period. See [PostgreSQL on Zerops](/postgresql/overview). ### 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. Render uses a more locked-down service model without general SSH into production instances. ### Bandwidth without tier cliffs Zerops uses a different billing model for network traffic rather than workspace bandwidth allowances Render made in April 2026 (Pro 500 GB to 25 GB, Hobby 100 GB to 5 GB). Always compare your real traffic profile against current allowances on both sides. ## Quick answers **Question: Is Zerops cheaper than Render?** It depends on the workload. Render uses workspace tiers plus per-second compute, which can be easier to predict month to month. Zerops has no workspace fee and bills compute per minute. Bandwidth-heavy apps should compare Render's reduced included allowances (as of April 2026) against Zerops egress for the same traffic. **Question: Does Render give you SSH into containers?** No. Render uses a more restricted service model. Zerops gives full Linux containers with SSH into any running service. **Question: What happened to Render free Postgres?** Free Postgres on Render is deleted after 30 days with no grace period. Zerops managed databases are permanent services without that expiry model. **Question: Did Render change bandwidth limits?** Yes. In April 2026, Pro-tier included bandwidth dropped from 500 GB to 25 GB, and Hobby from 100 GB to 5 GB. Confirm current allowances on Render's pricing page. **Question: When should I pick Render over Zerops?** When you want month-to-month cost that maps mostly to a plan tier, or when a static site / simple service fits cleanly on Render's free or low workspace tiers. ## 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 Heroku](/comparisons/zerops-vs-heroku) — Dyno pricing, sustaining-engineering status, and scaling limits. - [Zerops vs Fly.io](/comparisons/zerops-vs-flyio) — Multi-region edge deploy, pay-as-you-go pricing, and networking fees. ## 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. :::