Netlify pioneered the Jamstack hosting category. The push to Git, get a globally-served site, plus forms and identity in one platform workflow is largely their invention, and a lot of static-site tooling assumes Netlify-style deployment as the default. If you're choosing between [DeployHQ Static Hosting](https://www.deployhq.com/hosting/static) and Netlify, you're choosing between two takes on the same shape: same Git-driven pipeline, same global CDN, same atomic deploys — but with different bundles around the core. This guide compares the two head to head: features, pricing, the bundled-add-ons question, and the migration path between them. ## TL;DR If you depend on Netlify's bundled services — Forms, Identity, Split Testing, the plugin ecosystem — and you'd rather not bolt those on as separate third-party tools, stay on Netlify. The bundle is a real ergonomic win for teams that want one vendor for the whole frontend stack. If you're building a static site and you already deploy backend code somewhere — a Laravel API, a Node service, a WordPress install — [DeployHQ](https://www.deployhq.com) Static Hosting lets the static frontend ride on the same Cloudflare edge while the same [DeployHQ](https://www.deployhq.com) project handles the backend deploys. One workflow, one bill, no separate hosting account for the static side. For broader context across the category, our [roundup of the best software deployment tools in 2026](https://www.deployhq.com/blog/best-software-deployment-tools) places Netlify, [DeployHQ](https://www.deployhq.com), Vercel, and Cloudflare Pages side by side with the wider tooling landscape. ## At a glance: feature comparison | Capability | DeployHQ Static Hosting | Netlify | | --- | --- | --- | | Edge network | Cloudflare's global edge | Netlify Edge (built on AWS + their POPs) | | Framework auto-detection | Yes (rule + AI fallback) | Yes (mature, framework-aware) | | Atomic deploys | Yes | Yes | | Custom domains + SSL | Yes (automatic) | Yes (automatic) | | SPA mode (client-side routing) | Yes (toggle) | Yes (via `_redirects` or `netlify.toml`) | | Server-side rendering | No (static only) | Limited (via Edge Functions / SSR adapters) | | Edge functions | No | Yes (Netlify Edge Functions, Deno-based) | | Forms (built-in) | No | Yes (free tier with limits) | | Identity / auth (built-in) | No | Yes (Netlify Identity) | | Split testing | No | Yes (A/B branch routing) | | Plugin ecosystem | No | Yes (mature marketplace) | | Backend deploys in same pipeline | Yes (VPS, shared host, cloud, S3) | No | | Pricing model | Fixed monthly per site | Credit-based (300 free / 3,000 Pro) | | Free / trial tier | Trial includes 1 site | Free plan ($0, 300 credits) | | Vendor lock-in | Low (build artifact moves anywhere) | Medium-high (Forms, Identity, Functions tied to Netlify) | Both products do the static-hosting basics extremely well. The divergence is in (a) whether you need Netlify's bundled services, and (b) whether you have a backend that needs deploying too. ## When DeployHQ Static Hosting is the right choice **You already deploy a backend with [DeployHQ](https://www.deployhq.com) — or are planning to.** The strongest case for [DeployHQ](https://www.deployhq.com) Static Hosting is workflow consolidation. If you're shipping an [Astro marketing site](https://www.deployhq.com/guides/astro) plus a Laravel API on a VPS, or a [Jekyll-built docs site](https://www.deployhq.com/guides/jekyll) plus a backend that handles search and submissions, having both in one [DeployHQ](https://www.deployhq.com) project means one set of deploy keys, one billing relationship, one place to roll back when something breaks. [DeployHQ Managed VPS Hosting](https://www.deployhq.com/hosting/managed-vps) extends this further — you can manage the VPS itself from the same dashboard. **You don't use Netlify's bundled services.** A lot of Netlify users use it primarily as a CDN with great DX, never touching Forms, Identity, or Split Testing. If that describes your usage, you're paying the Netlify premium for things you don't need. [DeployHQ](https://www.deployhq.com) Static Hosting does the CDN + atomic deploys + framework detection part well, and you're free to bolt on auth/forms/A-B testing later (or run them on your own backend). **You want predictable pricing.** Netlify's credit-based model is easier to reason about than per-byte bandwidth, but credit consumption still varies with traffic and build complexity. [DeployHQ](https://www.deployhq.com) Static Hosting charges a fixed monthly rate per site — useful for budgeting, especially across multiple client sites in an agency context. [Compare current plans](https://www.deployhq.com/pricing) for the full breakdown. For teams weighing different hosting models more broadly, our [shared hosting vs VPS guide for junior developers](https://www.deployhq.com/blog/shared-hosting-vs-vps-a-comprehensive-guide-for-junior-developers) covers the wider trade-offs across the hosting category. **You want the Cloudflare edge specifically.** Both networks are good, but Cloudflare's footprint is broader (305+ POPs by their last published count) and it's the same edge Cloudflare Pages uses — if you're already routing through Cloudflare for DNS, DDoS, or Workers, keeping the static-hosting layer on the same edge cuts a hop. ## When Netlify is the right choice **You actively use Netlify Forms, Identity, or Split Testing.** These services are mature, well-integrated, and genuinely good. If your current workflow leans on any of them, replacing them with third-party equivalents is friction you don't need to take on unless the move offsets it. **You're deep in the Netlify plugin ecosystem.** Build plugins, edge handlers, and the marketplace are real advantages if you've already invested in them. Migrating away means either replicating each plugin's behavior in your build pipeline or living without it. **You need Netlify Edge Functions for per-request logic.** A/B routing at the edge, geo-aware redirects, header manipulation — Netlify's edge runtime handles those without bolting on a separate service. [DeployHQ](https://www.deployhq.com) Static Hosting doesn't run code at request time; you'd put Cloudflare Workers in front of it to add that layer. **You like the per-PR preview-comment workflow.** Netlify's deploy preview + collaborate UI is one of the best in the category. [DeployHQ](https://www.deployhq.com) supports per-environment branches but doesn't replicate the per-PR-comment UX exactly. ## Pricing: side by side Quick comparison as of June 2026 — check vendor pricing pages for current numbers before committing. **Netlify Free** is $0 forever with 300 credits per month, unlimited deploy previews, custom domains with SSL, functions, AI models, and global CDN. Fine for a hobby site or a small project. Credits are consumed by builds, function invocations, and bandwidth. **Netlify Pro** is $20 per month (unlimited team members) with 3,000 monthly credits, private org repos, shared environment variables, 3+ concurrent builds, and 30-day analytics. Most teams running a real site will need Pro. Heavy traffic, large builds, or busy functions can push you to top up credits. **Netlify Enterprise** is custom pricing with unlimited credits, 99.99% SLA, SSO/SCIM, and 24/7 support. **DeployHQ Static Hosting** charges a fixed monthly rate per site, shown on the Hosted Resources page in your account's currency and on each site's setup form. Pricing rolls into your [DeployHQ](https://www.deployhq.com) plan on a single monthly invoice. No per-build-minute or per-bandwidth meter to watch. Trial accounts can provision one Static Hosting site at no charge. If the static site is the only thing you're deploying, Netlify Free can work indefinitely for low-traffic projects. As soon as you bring a backend into the picture, the math tilts toward [DeployHQ](https://www.deployhq.com) — one tool for both deploys is structurally cheaper than Netlify Pro plus a separate deployment tool plus VPS billing. ## Moving between them (it's not all-or-nothing) Both platforms serve the same artifact — a folder of built static files — so the migration is mostly DNS and connecting the repo. **From Netlify to [DeployHQ](https://www.deployhq.com) Static Hosting**: connect the repository in [DeployHQ](https://www.deployhq.com), set Static Hosting's build directory to the same output folder Netlify built to (`dist`, `_site`, `build`, `public`, etc.), keep the build command identical, and switch DNS once verified. Before you cut over, plan replacements for any Netlify-specific features you depend on: Forms → a third-party form service or run your own backend endpoint via [DeployHQ](https://www.deployhq.com) Managed VPS Hosting; Identity → an auth provider like Clerk, Auth0, or your own; Edge Functions → Cloudflare Workers in front of Static Hosting; Split Testing → a third-party service. **From [DeployHQ](https://www.deployhq.com) Static Hosting to Netlify**: even simpler — connect the repo to Netlify, set the same build command and output directory, switch DNS. No DeployHQ-specific features to unwind. **Or: mix them.** [DeployHQ](https://www.deployhq.com) supports bring-your-own deployment targets alongside managed hosting. You can keep your Netlify-hosted Astro site exactly as-is and deploy your Laravel API with [DeployHQ](https://www.deployhq.com) to a VPS in the same project. Workflow consolidation doesn't have to mean migrating the static side too. If you're moving from shared hosting to a more modern deployment workflow generally, our guide on [5 signs it's time to upgrade from shared hosting to automated deployments](https://www.deployhq.com/blog/5-signs-it-s-time-to-upgrade-from-shared-hosting-to-automated-deployments) covers the broader why-and-when. ## What about the deployment-tool aspect? A subtle but real difference: Netlify is a hosting product that happens to ship code. [DeployHQ](https://www.deployhq.com) is a deployment tool that now also offers hosting. The framing matters because: - Netlify's deployment surface is optimized for its own runtime — it builds, deploys, and serves your code. - DeployHQ's deployment surface is intentionally generic — it ships your build output to many possible targets, including its own Static Hosting product, your own S3 bucket, your Netlify account, or your own server. If you ever want to keep [DeployHQ](https://www.deployhq.com) as the build-and-ship layer while moving the static-hosting destination elsewhere, that's a one-server-swap operation in [DeployHQ](https://www.deployhq.com). The repo, build config, environments, and pipeline don't change. The [DeployHQ build pipeline](https://www.deployhq.com/features/build-pipelines) — install dependencies, run tests, compile assets — runs the same way regardless of where the artifact ends up. The [zero-downtime deployment](https://www.deployhq.com/features/zero-downtime-deployments) machinery applies to BYO server targets too. ## FAQ **Can I use a custom domain with [DeployHQ](https://www.deployhq.com) Static Hosting?**Yes. Add a CNAME record at your DNS provider pointing to your `.deployhq-sites.com` host. HTTPS certificates are provisioned automatically by Cloudflare. Supported on all tiers including trial. **Does [DeployHQ](https://www.deployhq.com) Static Hosting support deploy previews?**[DeployHQ](https://www.deployhq.com) projects support multiple servers and environments, so you can have a staging Static Hosting site that deploys from a `staging` branch. Per-PR preview links with inline comments are a Netlify-specific UX — [DeployHQ](https://www.deployhq.com) doesn't replicate that exact feature. **Can I run server-side code with [DeployHQ](https://www.deployhq.com) Static Hosting?**No — Static Hosting serves prebuilt files only. If you need server-side rendering at request time, edge functions, or any runtime logic, use [DeployHQ](https://www.deployhq.com) Managed VPS Hosting and run a Node/Python/Ruby process there, or stay on Netlify with their Edge Functions and SSR adapters. **Is there a free tier on [DeployHQ](https://www.deployhq.com) Static Hosting?**Trial accounts can provision one Static Hosting site at no charge. Paid plans support additional sites. The trial is what you'd use to evaluate the product side-by-side with Netlify Free before committing. **What's the path back if I move to [DeployHQ](https://www.deployhq.com) and want to return to Netlify?**Connect the repo to Netlify, set the same build command and output directory, switch DNS back. The build artifact is identical; there's nothing DeployHQ-specific in your codebase to remove. ## Get started If you're already on [DeployHQ](https://www.deployhq.com) and want to add a static site to an existing project, enable beta features under **Settings \> Beta Features** , then add a new Static Hosting server. The [Static Hosting on](https://www.deployhq.com/blog/static-hosting-on-deployhq)[DeployHQ](https://www.deployhq.com) pillar guide walks through the provisioning flow end-to-end. If you're new, [start a free trial](https://www.deployhq.com/signup) — the trial includes one Static Hosting site so you can run a real comparison against your current Netlify setup before deciding. For the broader picture of where Static Hosting fits among the five hosting types [DeployHQ](https://www.deployhq.com) supports, see [your universal deployment and hosting platform](https://www.deployhq.com/blog/deployhq-your-universal-deployment-platform-for-all-hosting-types). Netlify and [DeployHQ](https://www.deployhq.com) Static Hosting are both good at the core static-hosting job. The choice isn't really about features at parity — it's about whether you want a single-vendor frontend bundle (Netlify) or a deployment platform that handles your static site and your backend in one workflow (DeployHQ). Both are valid; pick based on what's around the static site, not the static site itself. For more detail on the [DeployHQ](https://www.deployhq.com) Static Hosting product itself, the [Static Hosting support library](https://www.deployhq.com/support/servers/static-hosting) has the full provisioning, framework-detection, and lifecycle documentation. * * * Questions or feedback on Static Hosting vs Netlify? Email [support@deployhq.com](mailto:support@deployhq.com) or follow [@deployhq](https://x.com/deployhq) on X for product updates.