I'm trying to figure out if Railway really is as affordable as some people say. They charge based on provisioned resources like GB and RAM, and when I did a quick calculation, it looks like I'd be paying around $80 a month for a 2GB RAM / 2 core machine. That seems high to me, especially since I'm currently using a VPS with 4GB RAM / 2 core CPU for under $30. So, I'm wondering: Is the database charged separately from the instance? Also, if I get an 8 core / 8GB VPS, will I only be charged for the resources I actually use, or just what's provisioned? I've heard that Railway operates differently than standard VPS services, and I want to clear up any confusion about the costs.
2 Answers
Railway's pricing is based on the resources you provision, not on actual usage. So if you set up a 2GB RAM / 2-core service, you're billed as if it's in use all the time, even if it's idle. This can easily lead to $80 a month or more. Unlike a VPS where you pay a flat fee for fixed resources, Railway works somewhat like serverless infrastructure.
If you're looking for a more cost-effective option, you could consider buying a second-hand laptop, installing Debian, and using Cloudflare Tunnel to self-host your website. You would get better specs for your budget, but keep in mind you'll need a constant electricity and internet supply. Still, it's an alternative way to avoid ongoing costs.
Exactly! It might not be the most reliable option to host a website. I'm just trying to understand why Railway is considered "cheap" compared to VPS providers that offer similar services at a lower price. Could it be that I’m missing something?
But you should be careful with security if you go this route. If your app isn’t set up right, it could expose your home network to attacks. It's a risk for sure.