Deploying a Laravel App: AWS vs DigitalOcean vs Hetzner Cost Comparison

Introduction

As a Laravel developer and consultant, I often get asked about the best hosting solutions for deploying applications. For UK startups, choosing the right platform can significantly affect both performance and budget. In this post, I'll break down the cost of deploying a Laravel app on three popular cloud providers: AWS, DigitalOcean, and Hetzner.

Cost Breakdown

When it comes to hosting a Laravel app, the costs can vary depending on the provider and the resources you need. Here’s a detailed comparison of the pricing models for AWS, DigitalOcean, and Hetzner.

AWS (Amazon Web Services)

• EC2 Instances: AWS offers a pay-as-you-go model. For a basic t2.micro instance, which is suitable for small applications, you’re looking at around £0.0116 per hour. This can add up to approximately £8.59 per month if running continuously.
• Elastic Load Balancer: If you need to scale, the cost can increase. An Elastic Load Balancer is approximately £15 per month for basic usage.
• RDS (Relational Database Service): For a small database, expect to pay around £15 per month, depending on the storage and instance type.
• Total Estimated Cost: For a small setup, you might be looking at around £38 per month, excluding data transfer and storage costs.

DigitalOcean

• Droplets: DigitalOcean offers straightforward pricing. A basic droplet starts at £4 per month, which includes 1 GB of RAM and 1 CPU core—suitable for small Laravel applications.
• Managed Databases: For a managed database, the starting price is around £15 per month, which includes automatic backups and scaling options.
• Storage: DigitalOcean Spaces for object storage is £5 per month for 250 GB.
• Total Estimated Cost: For a small application, your monthly cost could be around £24, making it a budget-friendly option for startups.

Hetzner

• Cloud Servers: Hetzner offers competitive pricing with their cloud servers starting at around £3.49 per month, which includes 2 CPUs and 2 GB of RAM.
• Storage: The storage options are affordable, with additional block storage available at £0.03 per GB per month.
• Managed Databases: Their managed databases start at around £15 per month as well.
• Total Estimated Cost: For a basic setup, expect to spend about £18 per month, which is one of the most affordable options available.

Performance Considerations

While cost is an important factor, performance cannot be overlooked. Here’s a quick overview of how each platform performs:

AWS

AWS is known for its reliability and scalability. The infrastructure is robust, making it suitable for applications that expect to grow significantly. However, the complexity of configuring services may require additional time and expertise.

DigitalOcean

DigitalOcean provides a user-friendly experience with straightforward setup processes. Their droplets are known for excellent performance for small to medium applications, making them a popular choice for startups.

Hetzner

Hetzner offers excellent performance at a lower price point. Their servers are fast and reliable, and they have a good reputation in Europe, which can be a significant advantage for UK startups focusing on local customers.

Conclusion

When it comes to deploying a Laravel app, both AWS, DigitalOcean, and Hetzner have their strengths and weaknesses. If cost is your primary concern, Hetzner provides the best value for money, while DigitalOcean offers a balance of ease of use and affordability. AWS, while more expensive, delivers unmatched scalability and reliability for future growth.

Ultimately, your choice will depend on your specific needs, budget, and technical expertise. If you need help making this decision or setting up your Laravel application, get in touch, and I’ll be happy to help!