Comparison

The Netlify alternative for products that outgrow Jamstack

Netlify ships static sites and frontends through a strong CDN. The moment a long-running backend, a database, your own servers or mobile apps enter the picture, that scope runs out.

Static sites, frontends, backends and mobile in a single project
Your own server over SSH or a managed one, not just a build environment
Hosting and data processing inside the EU

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Projects with frontend, backend and apps side by side instead of separate tools.

In short

The two products solve different problems. What matters is how much of your system sits behind the frontend.

Netlify fits when you ship static sites and want a global CDN with forms, redirects and edge functions.
The Application Platform fits when a backend, a database, your own servers or store releases are involved.
On Netlify the build output lands in the CDN; on the Application Platform your code runs on servers you own.
The platform’s CI/CD configuration is a readable GitLab CI file in your repository, and you can change it.

Netlify and Application Platform side by side

This reflects the typical scope of both platforms. Details change over time, so check the current information from each provider when it matters.

Criterion	Application Platform	Netlify
Static sites and Jamstack frontends	Fully covered: Hugo, Astro and Next.js through prepared pipelines	Fully covered: Core product, very mature and quick to set up
Global CDN and edge functions	Partly covered: Reverse proxy and SSL per server; no global edge network of its own	Fully covered: Worldwide CDN with edge functions as a central building block
Build plugins and ecosystem	Partly covered: GitLab CI jobs you can extend freely, but no plugin marketplace	Fully covered: Large catalogue of build plugins and integrations
Form handling without a backend	Partly covered: Handled by your own backend service, no ready-made form product	Fully covered: Form handling is part of the product
Long-running backend services	Fully covered: NestJS, Laravel and FastAPI as full services with a database	Partly covered: Serverless and edge functions, no long-running services
Databases and server baseline	Fully covered: Docker, databases, reverse proxy, SSL, firewall and backups are set up for you	Partly covered: Through third-party partners and integrations
Use your own servers	Fully covered: Your own server over SSH or a managed server from the platform	Not offered: Not supported, delivery runs on Netlify infrastructure
Building mobile apps	Fully covered: Flutter, Expo and native iOS and Android projects including build environments	Not offered: Not part of the product
Publishing to App Store and Play Store	Fully covered: Metadata, screenshots and versions through Fastlane from inside the platform	Not offered: Not part of the product
Remote development environments	Fully covered: Cloud workspaces with VS Code, JetBrains, RDP and VNC, including macOS for iOS builds	Not offered: Not part of the product
Where processing happens	Fully covered: Operated in the EU with a data processing agreement, servers freely selectable	Partly covered: US provider, processing under US law

Green means fully covered, amber partly, grey not offered. Netlify is mature in the Jamstack space – the difference lies in how much of the chain each platform covers.

As of 10 August 2026. This comparison describes typical workflows and can differ from project to project.

What the Application Platform additionally covers

Everything that stays on your plate with a pure frontend host.

Backend and database included

NestJS, Laravel or FastAPI run as long-lived services with a database, reverse proxy and backups – no extra provider needed.

Your servers, your access

Bring your own server over SSH or use a managed one. Either way the access stays with you.

Mobile apps all the way to the store

Flutter, Expo and native projects get built, signed and published to the App Store, Play Store and Microsoft Store with metadata.

Cloud workspaces

Processing and hosting in Europe, with a data processing agreement, an audit log and clear access rights.

Docker
Databases
Reverse proxy
SSL
Backups
Firewall
Coming soon Kubernetes
Coming soon Monitoring

Docker, databases, reverse proxy, SSL, firewall and backups get configured for you.

Moving from Netlify to the Application Platform

The migration happens step by step, with your existing repository as the foundation.

Connect a server

Your own server over SSH or a managed one. Docker, databases, reverse proxy, SSL, firewall and backups get configured.
Create the project

Set up your project in the wizard and pick the stack. Repository, project structure and CI/CD pipeline are created with it.
Bring the site over

Move your existing code into the repository. Environment variables and secrets live centrally in the project.
Switch the domain

Domain, DNS and certificates are part of the setup. Once the pipeline is green, you point the DNS record over.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Application Platform a direct replacement for Netlify?

For building and deploying a static site, yes, and beyond that it covers more. What it does not bring is a global CDN of its own. If delivery speed to a worldwide audience is your key metric, a CDN still makes sense in front of the platform.

Can I keep using Hugo or Astro?

Yes. Hugo and Astro are among the templates and get built through a regular GitLab CI pipeline. The build command stays the same, only the place it runs changes. Steps such as linting or image optimisation you add yourself.

What happens to Netlify Forms and Netlify Functions?

Netlify bills by usage, including bandwidth, build minutes and function invocations. On the Application Platform you pay for the platform and your servers. With steady traffic that makes the cost curve easier to predict.

See the platform for yourself