Coolify
Open-source, self-hostable PaaS platform — a Heroku/Render alternative you deploy on your own EU server.
Overview
Coolify is a Hungary-based European company building cloud infrastructure and developer tools software since 2022. As an EU-headquartered provider, Coolify operates under GDPR and is outside the reach of the US CLOUD Act, making it a privacy-friendly alternative to AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure for European teams.
Why European teams pick Coolify
Teams in Europe pick Coolify when they want a cloud infrastructure provider that bills in EUR, supports their local data-protection officer requirements, and keeps customer data under Hungary law, operating since 2022. Compared with AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure, Coolify avoids cross-border data transfers under Schrems II and the US CLOUD Act, which is often the deciding factor for European procurement and legal teams.
See more EU cloud infrastructure tools or browse other startups from Hungary.
About
Coolify is an open-source, self-hostable PaaS platform developed by a Hungarian team, providing a Heroku/Render-like deployment experience on any server you control. With Coolify, you connect your GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket repository and deploy any Dockerfile, Docker Compose, or Nixpacks-compatible application to your own EU server — Hetzner, Contabo, UpCloud, or any other. It handles SSL certificates (Let's Encrypt), reverse proxy configuration (Traefik or Caddy), environment variables, deployment hooks, and rollback. Coolify is free and open-source under the Apache 2.0 licence, with a paid cloud version offering managed hosting. It is the fastest path to EU-sovereign PaaS for indie developers and small teams.
Details
- Founded
- 2022
- Headquarters
- Hungary
Categories
Other EU startups like Coolify
- FjordIDNorway — Managed OIDC/OAuth2 identity platform hosted on Hetzner in Germany. Drop-in Auth0 replacement with EU data residency and zero US subprocessors.
- RailwayUnited Kingdom — Instant deployment infrastructure for developers — popular across European teams.
- LiveblocksFrance — APIs for adding collaborative real-time features to your app — a French alternative to Firebase Realtime.
- PocketbaseBulgaria — Open-source backend in a single file — a European alternative to Firebase.
- NocoDBGermany — Open-source Airtable alternative that turns databases into smart spreadsheets.
- PortainerNew Zealand — Container management UI for Docker and Kubernetes — a New Zealand/European alternative to Rancher.
Frequently asked questions
What is Coolify?
Coolify is an open-source, self-hostable PaaS platform developed by a Hungarian team, providing a Heroku/Render-like deployment experience on any server you control. With Coolify, you connect your GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket repository and deploy any Dockerfile, Docker Compose, or Nixpacks-compatible application to your own EU server — Hetzner, Contabo, UpCloud, or any other. It handles SSL certificates (Let's Encrypt), reverse proxy configuration (Traefik or Caddy), environment variables, deployment hooks, and rollback. Coolify is free and open-source under the Apache 2.0 licence, with a paid cloud version offering managed hosting. It is the fastest path to EU-sovereign PaaS for indie developers and small teams.
What does Coolify do?
Coolify is open-source, self-hostable paas platform — a heroku/render alternative you deploy on your own eu server. It is listed under cloud infrastructure and developer tools on EU Alts because its core functionality serves teams looking for a European cloud infrastructure tool with EU data residency, typically as a switch away from AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure.
Is Coolify a good European cloud infrastructure alternative?
Coolify is a fit for European businesses evaluating cloud infrastructure options where data residency and GDPR alignment matter — typical buyers include EU-based SaaS teams, public-sector projects, regulated industries (healthcare, finance, legal), and any organisation that needs to demonstrate that customer data does not leave the EU. It also overlaps with developer tools use cases.
Is Coolify GDPR compliant?
Coolify is headquartered in Hungary and falls under EU jurisdiction, so it processes user data under the GDPR by default. Because the company is not US-incorporated, it is not subject to the US CLOUD Act — meaning US authorities cannot compel Coolify to disclose customer data the way they can with AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure. For European buyers, that often simplifies DPIA paperwork and standard contractual clauses.
How do teams switch from AWS to Coolify?
Most teams move to Coolify from AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure because they want EU data residency without giving up the core cloud infrastructure workflow. Coolify's Hungary base means a single jurisdiction for both the company and (typically) its hosting infrastructure, so you can drop Schrems II transfer impact assessments for this part of your stack. Plan the migration in stages: export your data from the US incumbent, pilot Coolify with a small team, then move the rest once the integration coverage you need is confirmed.
Where is Coolify based?
Coolify is headquartered in Hungary. The company was founded in 2022. Its main website is https://coolify.io.