# Fly.io

Run containers on hardware-isolated VMs close to your users, billed by the second.

HTML: https://softbests.com/software/fly-io
Markdown: https://softbests.com/software/fly-io.md
Website: https://fly.io

- Category: [Developer utilities](https://softbests.com/category/developer-tools)
- Pricing: Paid
- Platforms: Web, CLI

## Best for

Developers who want global anycast deployments and real VMs without a Kubernetes control plane.

## Why it deserves attention

Fly.io runs Firecracker microVMs in regions worldwide and routes traffic over its own anycast network, so a container deployed in several regions answers from the nearest one. The flyctl CLI and Machines API make deployment scriptable, volumes and managed Postgres cover state, scale-to-zero keeps idle apps cheap, and newer Sprites plus an MCP server target agents and sandboxes. Billing is per second — a shared-cpu-1x 256MB Machine starts around $2.19/month — with no seat fees. The caveats: it is closer to raw infrastructure than a PaaS, so you own more of the operational work; egress to some regions is priced higher; and costs can drift once you run many small Machines.

## Can replace

- Heroku

## Related and alternatives

- [Railway](https://softbests.com/software/railway)
- [Render](https://softbests.com/software/render)