Quick answer
Netlify - Netlify wins for most builders because its free tier includes more of the workflow around deploys, previews, functions, and collaboration, while Cloudflare Pages is better only if you mainly want very cheap static hosting at Cloudflare’s edge.
How the free tiers compare
These two free tiers overlap on the basics, but they aim at different build styles. Cloudflare Pages is the simpler static-site option: unlimited sites, unlimited bandwidth, unlimited static requests, and a hard cap around build throughput and custom domains. It is a good fit when your app is mostly frontend and you want predictable hosting with almost no moving parts. Netlify’s free tier is broader. It includes deploys from Git, AI, or API, unlimited deploy previews, custom domains with SSL, Functions, Blob storage, a database, basic security tools, and limited observability. The tradeoff is that Netlify’s free plan is metered with credits and has tighter limits on collaboration and retention. In short, Cloudflare is cleaner for static hosting, while Netlify is more useful when the free tier has to cover the whole builder workflow, not just serving files.
Cloudflare Pages vs Netlify free tier, side by side
| Cloudflare Pages FTV 44 | Netlify FTV 44 | |
|---|---|---|
| Concurrent builds Netlify also includes 1 preview server on the free plan. | 1 | 1 |
| Builds per month Cloudflare Pages counts builds directly; Netlify uses credits, so this is not a like-for-like cap. | 500 | 300 credits included per month |
| Custom domains Netlify’s free item does not give a numeric domain cap in the provided data. | 100 custom domains per project | Add custom domains with SSL |
| Sites Cloudflare explicitly includes unlimited sites in the free tier. | Unlimited | Not specified |
| Static requests / bandwidth Netlify’s provided free-tier data does not state an unlimited bandwidth quota. | Unlimited static requests, unlimited bandwidth | Access the global CDN |
| Deploy previews Netlify clearly includes deploy previews on the free plan. | Not specified | Unlimited deploy previews |
| Functions and app primitives These are included in Netlify’s free tier from the provided data. | Not specified | Functions, AI models, Netlify Database, Blob storage |
| Observability / retention Cloudflare Pages free-tier retention was not provided. | Not specified | 1-day observability history, 1-day web analytics retention, 24-hour Functions log history, 24-hour Edge Functions log history |
After you outgrow the free tier
Cloudflare Pages stays flat-priced and simple after free: the first paid tier is Pro at $20/mo billed annually, then Business at $200/mo billed annually. Netlify’s pricing starts with a flat Personal plan at $9/month, then Pro at $20/month for unlimited members, but the platform also uses credits and metered usage on top of plan tiers. For small teams, Netlify can be cheaper to start, but its costs can climb as you consume more credits or need more collaboration and retention. Cloudflare is more predictable; Netlify is broader but more variable.
Cost at real usage
| Usage | Cloudflare Pages | Netlify |
|---|---|---|
| 1 small site, light traffic, basic static hosting Both free tiers cover the basics here. | Free | Free |
| A small team needing paid entry tier features Netlify’s first paid step is cheaper, but Cloudflare’s Pro tier is the first meaningful upgrade from free. | $20/mo billed annually | $9/mo |
| More build throughput and higher quotas Netlify’s paid plans add metered usage on top of the flat fee, so total cost can vary beyond the plan price. | $20/mo billed annually for 5,000 builds/month and 5 concurrent builds | $20/mo for Pro, 3,000 credits/month and 3+ concurrent builds |
Estimates, not quotes. Usage-based rates change - verify with the vendor's pricing page before committing.
When to pick each one
Pick Cloudflare Pages when…
- You are hosting a static marketing site or docs site and only need Git-based deployments.
- You expect lots of bandwidth or static requests and want those to stay free.
- You want multiple small sites under one account without worrying about traffic bills.
- You mainly care about quick builds and simple frontend publishing rather than built-in app primitives.
Pick Netlify when…
- You need deploy previews, functions, or storage in the free tier.
- You want to deploy from Git, the command line, AI prompts, or API without changing tools.
- You are working with non-technical teammates and want a platform that can handle more of the workflow.
- You need custom domains with SSL plus basic rate limiting, WAF access, or analytics without paying immediately.
- You want a free tier that already includes platform features beyond static hosting, even if usage is metered.
Bottom line
For the most common builder use case, Netlify is the better free-tier pick because it gives you more of the full app workflow, not just hosting. If your project is basically static and you value unlimited bandwidth and simple deployment, Cloudflare Pages is the cleaner choice. Once you start needing previews, functions, storage, or team features, Netlify’s free plan covers more ground before you have to pay.
Read the full listings: Cloudflare Pages and Netlify. Scores use the FTV methodology at /ftv. Browse more head-to-heads on /compare, or see the top-ranked free tiers on /top.