This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Majdi Zlitni
Table of Contents
- First Stop
- Comparing Hosting Platforms
- Why I Chose Cloudflare Pages
- Setting Up My Domain
- Goodbye Vercel
- Final Thoughts
I used to deploy on Vercel, and it was my go to because it made everything free, fast, and globally available.
Until this happened:
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iframe.src = "https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?id=1972669025525158031&theme=dark"
}
Seeing that post made it clear, I had to quit Vercel and move to something else not just for technical reasons, but for principles.
I wanted to support platforms that align with transparency, openness, and independence.
First Stop
At first, I tried Replit (@helloreplit).
Many developers were migrating there in support of the Pro-Palestine movement, and I wanted to contribute, even in the smallest way. Everyone was talking about Replit.
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The migration was smooth:
With just a few clicks after linking my GitHub account and selecting the Starter plan, Replit’s AI agent handled most of the setup automatically:
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Unfortunately, when publishing, it asked to upgrade my plan, and with Tunisia’s monetary regulations and foreign currency restrictions, that wasn’t an option.
So, I canceled and looked for another free way to publish my portfolio.
Amjad Masad, CEO of Replit, made great moves to attract users and even offered $50 in credits:
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Comparing Hosting Platforms
Here’s a technical breakdown of alternatives I researched:
| Platform | Type | Free Plan | Custom Domain | CI/CD Support | Backend Support | Ease of Use | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cloudflare Pages | Managed Hosting | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes (GitHub/GitLab) | ⚠️ Limited (Static + Workers) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Static & JAMStack Sites | Excellent docs, global CDN, easy migration. |
| GitHub Pages | Managed Hosting | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Limited (manual CI/CD) | ❌ No | ⭐⭐⭐ | Portfolios, docs, static sites | Simple but lacks backend/dynamic features. |
| Render | Managed Hosting | ✅ Yes (limited hours) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Full backend (Node, Python, etc.) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Full-stack & API apps | Auto SSL, DBs, background workers. |
| Hetzner Cloud | Self-Hosted VPS | ❌ No (paid) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Custom via CI/CD tools | ✅ Full backend | ⭐⭐⭐ | Devs who want control | Cheap, powerful VPS for custom infra. |
| Docker + Coolify (Self-Hosted) | Self-Hosted | ⚠️ Free (if self-hosted) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes (custom) | ✅ Full backend | ⭐⭐ | Experienced devs | Great for learning DevOps & full control. |
Why I Chose Cloudflare Pages
- Deployed on 300+ global edge locations → ultra-fast performance.
- Built-in CI/CD with GitHub/GitLab auto builds & previews.
- Serverless backend via Cloudflare Workers.
- Free SSL, CDN, DDoS protection, and image optimization included.
- Supports Next.js, Astro, Remix, SvelteKit, and more.
- Zero config, instant scaling, and excellent documentation.
In short: Cloudflare Pages + Workers = frontend + backend on the edge globally distributed, secure, and free.
Setting Up My Domain
After deployment, I updated my DNS records using ATI.tn
Tunisia’s official domain registry which offers custom domains for 12 TND/year.
Having your own domain means:
- Full control over your brand identity
- A professional, portable online presence
- Freedom from platform lock-in
“Customization isn’t free, but it’s worth it.”
After switching to Cloudflare nameservers, everything synced perfectly:
Deployment successful!
Goodbye Vercel
Finally, I deleted my Vercel account and officially joined the boycott movement, a small but meaningful step to align with my values.
Final Thoughts
- Cloudflare Pages is the best free edge hosting option for developers in 2025.
- For more control or backend apps, Hetzner + Coolify is an amazing combo.
- Your hosting choices can reflect your values, independence, and technical standards.
In the end, the best stack is the one you own ethically, technically, and creatively.
Keywords for SEO
cloudflare pages, vercel alternative, free deployment, jamstack hosting, self-hosted devops, hetzner, coolify, static site hosting, tunisia domain, ati.tn, developer migration
This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Majdi Zlitni
Majdi Zlitni | Sciencx (2025-10-15T00:08:11+00:00) Why I changed to Cloudflare and you should too. Retrieved from https://www.scien.cx/2025/10/15/why-i-changed-to-cloudflare-and-you-should-too/
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