Compare
A managed PaaS, or your own servers with airepeat
A managed platform runs everything for you. airepeat gives you much of that convenience on servers in your own account, at your providers' prices.
Managed platforms (PaaS) are a good choice for many teams: you push code and they run it, with very little to set up. This page describes the general model, not any one product; each platform differs, so check the details of the one you're considering.
airepeat takes a different path. Your sites run on servers in your own account, deployed by the open-source Coolify. You pay your server provider directly, and you keep everything if you leave.
Capabilities
Side by side
| Capability | A typical managed PaaS | Your servers with airepeat |
|---|---|---|
| Who owns the servers | The platform does; you rent capacity | You do, in your Hetzner account (DigitalOcean in testing) |
| Cost model | Platform pricing, often per app or by usage | Your provider's server prices, paid directly; airepeat is free in beta |
| Leaving later | Platform-specific config may need rework | Standard containers, your repositories, your servers |
| Setup effort | Minimal | Connect your accounts once, then one-click stack launch |
| Server upkeep | Handled by the platform | Your servers; airepeat monitors them and alerts you |
| Run any open-source service | Varies by platform | 350+ one-click services from Coolify's catalogue |
| AI site building | Varies by platform | With your own AI key; changes arrive as commits |
| Approval before spending | Varies; usage can grow on its own | Paid actions wait for an owner, with the price shown |
Last reviewed . Capabilities only; no prices or performance claims about other products. Something out of date? Tell us.
A managed PaaS may suit you when
- You never want to think about servers.
- You need automatic scaling across regions today.
- Predictable platform pricing matters more than the lowest cost.
airepeat may suit you when
- You want your infrastructure in your own name.
- You run many small sites and services and want to share servers between them.
- You'd like to avoid platform lock-in.
More comparisons
Other ways to run your sites
- Coolify on its own, or with airepeat on topCoolify is a great open-source platform for running apps on your own servers. airepeat uses it, and adds AI building, approvals, a key vault and the accounts around it.
- Managing servers by hand, or with airepeatYou can run everything with SSH, Docker and a few scripts. airepeat does the same jobs with checks, approvals and a record of every change.
Run your next site on your own servers
Free while in beta. Bring your own keys; you pay your providers directly.