Kubeletto vs DigitalOcean App Platform
DigitalOcean App Platform is a mature managed PaaS backed by DigitalOcean's infrastructure. Kubeletto offers a more modern runtime with scale-to-zero by default, faster cold starts, and a simpler CLI-first workflow — at zero cost during our beta period.
Why Kubeletto?
Developers wanting scale-to-zero cost savings, faster CLI deployments, and built-in observability without navigating DigitalOcean's billing tiers.
Why DigitalOcean App Platform?
Teams already in the DigitalOcean ecosystem who need managed databases, Spaces object storage, and App Platform all integrated under one account.
Feature Matrix
Compare side-by-side features of Kubeletto and DigitalOcean App Platform. Kubeletto delivers direct container deployments with built-in scale-to-zero autoscaling, whereas DigitalOcean App Platform focuses on complex multi-resource canvas mapping.
| Feature | Kubeletto | DigitalOcean App Platform |
|---|---|---|
| Scale to zero | Default on every app — zero compute cost when idle | Not available — minimum 1 instance always running (minimum ~$5/month) |
| Build system | BuildKit with Dockerfile or auto-detected buildpack | Cloud Native Buildpacks or Dockerfile |
| Observability | Built-in: real-time logs, metrics, and build traces | Basic log viewer; full metrics require DigitalOcean Monitoring add-on |
| Pricing model | Free during beta; usage-based post-beta | Starts at $5/month per Basic instance, charged regardless of traffic |
Developer Workflow
Deploying applications on Kubeletto is fully automated via direct Git integration or a single CLI command, whereas DigitalOcean App Platform relies on manual project creation on a visual workspace canvas.
Deploy on Kubeletto
- 1
Connect GitHub or specify a Docker image in Kubeletto.
- 2
Set environment variables and deploy in one click.
- 3
Monitor builds and logs in real time from the CLI or console.
Deploy on DigitalOcean App Platform
- 1
Create a new app in the DigitalOcean App Platform dashboard.
- 2
Connect GitHub, configure build command and run command.
- 3
Choose instance size and region, then deploy.
Pricing Comparison
DigitalOcean App Platform charges a flat monthly rate per instance even when your app receives zero traffic. Kubeletto scales to zero — staging and low-traffic apps cost nothing. Kubeletto is free during our active beta.
Migration Guide
Migrating your deployment from DigitalOcean App Platform to Kubeletto is a simple, three-step process: export your environment variables, link your repository commit branch, and trigger the deploy.
- 1
Export your environment variables from the DigitalOcean App Platform settings.
- 2
Create a new app in Kubeletto and connect the same GitHub repository.
- 3
Set environment variables in Kubeletto's Environment tab and click deploy.
- 4
Update your custom domain CNAME or use the provided *.kubeletto.app subdomain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Kubeletto support managed databases like DigitalOcean?
Kubeletto is optimized for stateless container workloads. For databases, connect to any managed provider: Neon, Supabase, PlanetScale, or DigitalOcean's own managed databases.
Is Kubeletto available in multiple regions like DigitalOcean?
Kubeletto currently operates in a single region optimized for performance and simplicity. Multi-region support is on our post-beta roadmap.