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DigitalOcean App Platform

Simple cloud hosting for developers

Managed PaaS layer built on top of Kubernetes by DigitalOcean. Auto-deploy from GitHub and GitLab with support for Docker containers, static sites, and worker services. Integrates with DO managed databases and Spaces storage, offering a simpler and more affordable cloud platform for teams who want Heroku-like convenience without the enterprise price tag.

About DigitalOcean App Platform

DigitalOcean App Platform is a fully managed Platform-as-a-Service that deploys applications directly from Git repositories or container images, automatically handling building, deployment, scaling, and infrastructure management. It detects the application language and framework at build time using Cloud Native Buildpacks, downloading and installing necessary dependencies without manual configuration. App Platform eliminates the need for developers to manage servers, networking, or runtime environments.

Key features include automatic SSL certificate management, DDoS protection, horizontal and vertical scaling with autoscaling support, and scale-to-zero for non-latency-sensitive workloads. The platform supports deploy-on-push from GitHub, GitLab, and Bitbucket, and offers environment management with app cloning for easy staging and production setups. Recent additions include native Bun runtime support, cron job scheduling, and dedicated egress IP addresses for outgoing traffic control.

App Platform is designed for developers and teams who want to focus on writing code rather than managing infrastructure, supporting Node.js, Python, Ruby, PHP, Go, and .NET frameworks out of the box. It integrates seamlessly with DigitalOcean managed databases and other DigitalOcean services, providing a cohesive development experience within the DigitalOcean ecosystem. The platform offers both shared and dedicated CPU plans, making it suitable for everything from hobby projects to production workloads.

Pricing & Platform Specs

Pricing Summary

Fully managed PaaS on DigitalOcean for automated application builds and container scaling. Starter tier is $0/mo for up to 3 static websites with global CDN and automated SSL. Dynamic compute starts at $5/mo (Basic tier, 512MB RAM / 1 vCPU) for prototyping, while Professional tier starts at $12/mo (1GB RAM) with horizontal auto-scaling, zero-downtime rolling deploys, and log forwarding. Supports integration with Managed Databases (PostgreSQL/MySQL/Redis from $7-$15/mo) and private VPC networking with per-second billing.

full pricing breakdown →

Supported Platforms

Web, CLI (doctl)

Explore categories, tags & use cases

Web platform for modern development

Jamstack-focused cloud platform specializing in deploying static sites, serverless functions, and modern web applications with Git-based CI/CD. Features instant rollbacks, deploy previews for every PR, split testing, edge functions, form handling, identity/auth, and a global CDN with automatic HTTPS. Native support for Next.js, Nuxt, Gatsby, Hugo, Astro, and all major static site generators. Free $0 forever plan plus Personal and Pro credit-based tiers for growing traffic and team workflows.

freemium

Infrastructure, instantly

Modern cloud platform for deploying full-stack apps, databases, and workers with instant provisioning and usage-based pricing. Deploy from GitHub or CLI with zero config for Node.js, Python, Go, Rust, and Docker. Built-in PostgreSQL, MySQL, Redis, and MongoDB with auto backups. Features private networking, environment management, cron jobs, TCP proxying, and real-time logs. Popular with indie hackers and startups for fast MVPs with a generous free trial including $5 monthly credits.

paid

Run your app close to users

Global application hosting platform that runs full-stack apps, databases, and services close to users in 30+ regions using lightweight Firecracker micro-VMs. Deploy Docker containers or use built-in builders for Rails, Laravel, Django, Node.js, and Go. Features persistent volumes, private networking, auto-scaling, PostgreSQL/Redis managed databases, and a powerful CLI. Ideal for latency-sensitive apps needing multi-region presence. Generous free allowance with pay-as-you-go pricing.

paid

Community experience

Sources & verification

Sources checked
Content verified

Verification dates are editorial checks. Routine CMS saves and automatic updatedAt timestamps do not advance them.

FAQ

What is DigitalOcean App Platform?

Managed PaaS layer built on top of Kubernetes by DigitalOcean. Auto-deploy from GitHub and GitLab with support for Docker containers, static sites, and worker services. Integrates with DO managed databases and Spaces storage, offering a simpler and more affordable cloud platform for teams who want Heroku-like convenience without the enterprise price tag.

Is DigitalOcean App Platform free?

DigitalOcean App Platform offers a free tier alongside paid plans. Fully managed PaaS on DigitalOcean for automated application builds and container scaling. Starter tier is $0/mo for up to 3 static websites with global CDN and automated SSL. Dynamic compute starts at $5/mo (Basic tier, 512MB RAM / 1 vCPU) for prototyping, while Professional tier starts at $12/mo (1GB RAM) with horizontal auto-scaling, zero-downtime rolling deploys, and log forwarding. Supports integration with Managed Databases (PostgreSQL/MySQL/Redis from $7-$15/mo) and private VPC networking with per-second billing.

Is DigitalOcean App Platform still maintained?

Yes — DigitalOcean App Platform is active. Its listing was last verified on September 6, 2026.

What are the best DigitalOcean App Platform alternatives?

The first editor-selected DigitalOcean App Platform alternatives are Netlify, Railway, Fly.io.