So, you’ve decided to use Coolify, awesome choice!
Now, you might be wondering whether to go with Coolify Cloud or set it up yourself through self-hosting. Let’s break it down so you can pick the best option for you.
Coolify Cloud
Coolify Cloud is the easy way to get started. It’s a paid service (starting at just $5 a month) where you bring your own servers and connect them to a Coolify instance that’s fully managed by our team.
Note
We host and update the Coolify instance for you, so you don't have to allocate any of your server resources to Coolify, but you’re still responsible for your own servers and any other services running on them
Coolify Self-Hosted
If you’re more of a hands-on person, self-hosting Coolify might be your thing.
It’s completely free (except for your server costs, of course), and you get to control everything.
You’ll install Coolify on your own server, keep it updated, and manage all the related services yourself.
How Do They Compare?
All of the features below refer only to the Coolify instance, not your entire server or other services.
| Feature | Coolify Cloud | Self-Hosted Coolify |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance | We take care of hosting and updating the Coolify instance for you | You’re in charge of keeping the instance running smoothly |
| Support | Help from Coolify experts and our core team | Chat with the community on Discord |
| Email Notifications | Pre-configured and ready to use for free | You’ll need to set this up yourself |
| Backups | We handle automatic backups for your Coolify instance | Set up your own backup system for the Coolify instance |
| High Availability | We’ve got you covered with reliable uptime for the Coolify instance | Depends on how you set things up |
| Stability | We test updates thoroughly before rolling them out | Test updates yourself before upgrading |
| Cost | Starts at $5/month | Free forever (just pay for your server) |
And just so you know, we don’t play the “feature lock” game. Whether you choose Coolify Cloud or self-host, you get all the same powerful features.
We’re all about giving you the full Coolify experience, no matter which path you take.
Which One is Right for You?
If you want a quick, easy setup and don’t mind paying a small fee for convenience, Coolify Cloud is perfect.
But if you love getting hands-on, want to save every penny, and enjoy being in full control, Self-Hosting is the way to go.
If you're still not sure which path to take, join our Discord community ↗ and ask any questions you might have! We're here to help you decide what's best for your needs.