blitz.cloud vs your own VPS: managed app hosting vs self-managed
Running your own VPS against blitz.cloud - cost, effort, patches, backups, TLS certificates, monitoring. Sources checked 22 October 2026.
A plain VPS and blitz.cloud both host your apps, but a VPS leaves everything to you. You control the infrastructure, the operating system, and every service, so you need to manage patches, security, TLS certificates, backups and monitoring yourself. blitz.cloud is the better choice when you want those things handled. A VPS fits when you need total control and have the time and skills to operate it.
At a glance
| blitz.cloud | Basic VPS (Ubuntu/Debian) | |
|---|---|---|
| Company | BlitzWorks UG, Regensburg, Germany | Your choice: DigitalOcean, Vultr, Scaleway, others |
| Infrastructure | Managed: one EU data centre, we run and maintain it | Your own server: you rent it, you manage it |
| How you pay | Plan for whole account: free, or Pro at 7 EUR a month including VAT | Cheapest option: $4–5 per month (example: DigitalOcean $4/month, Vultr $3.50/month) |
| Start without paying | Free plan with 5 apps and 512 MB memory, no card, no end date. Apps sleep after 30 minutes without visitors | No, you pay for the VPS from the first month |
| Always-on app cost | Pro: 7 EUR a month | $4–5/month VPS rental, or more for larger specs |
| Apps | 5 on free, 50 on Pro, from 96 store apps | Unlimited: run any application via Docker, systemd, or direct install |
| Your own code | Yes: public Docker images and GitHub push deploys | Yes: any application you can run on Linux |
| Databases | PostgreSQL, MariaDB, Redis, managed and backed up automatically | You install and manage them yourself; PostgreSQL, MySQL, or any database |
| Backups | Automatic every night (7 nights on free, 30 on Pro), restore from dashboard | You set them up yourself and schedule them; restore is your responsibility |
| TLS certificates | Automatic via Let's Encrypt, renewed without your input | You install them yourself, set up renewal scripts (e.g. Certbot), and monitor expiry |
| OS patches | We apply them automatically | You apply them manually or script automatic patching; must test for compatibility |
| Monitoring | Alerts and status page included | You set it up yourself: Prometheus, Grafana, or a third-party service |
| Own domain | On Pro or a Pro app | Yes, fully under your control |
| Support | Support in German or English via email | None from the VPS provider (they host the machine only); community forums |
Where a VPS is the better choice
A VPS is for people who want complete control and have the skills and time to operate a server. You choose the operating system, install exactly what you need, and can customize everything. If you need to run software that doesn't fit into containers, or you already know how to manage servers, or you want zero vendor lock-in, a VPS is the answer. You also get the lowest entry price: a basic VPS can cost $4 a month.
The catch: you become the operator. Every patch is your responsibility. Every backup must be tested. Every certificate renewal must not be forgotten. If the app goes down at midnight, you wake up to fix it. Most people underestimate how many hours this takes in the first year alone.
Where blitz.cloud fits better
- You want managed hosting. We patch the OS, renew certificates, run backups, monitor the system — you just deploy your app.
- You want to start without cost. Free plan needs no card and no server rental.
- You run several apps. Pro is 7 EUR a month for your whole account: 50 apps, 5 databases, 4 GB memory.
- You want automatic nightly backups and a one-click restore button.
- You want support in German or English and a company you can reach.
- You want one clear monthly price, not surprise overage bills or forgotten renewal fees.
Moving from a VPS to blitz.cloud
If you're running a VPS today, moving is straightforward: export your app's Docker image (or ask us how if it's a common app), export your database, then import it on blitz.cloud. Keep the VPS until the new one works.
Sources
- https://www.digitalocean.com/pricing/droplets (basic VPS pricing reference)
- https://www.vultr.com/pricing/ (VPS pricing reference)
Facts checked on 22 October 2026. Prices and plans change; tell us at hallo@blitzworks.io if something here is out of date.
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Keep your app awake.
On Pro an app answers at any hour, so schedules run on time and webhooks arrive straight away. 7 EUR a month for all your apps. Try it free for 14 days: starting doesn't need payment details, and if you don't add them before it ends, nothing is charged.