Amazon RDS vs Vultr

Managed databases for people who'd rather not manage databases meets the cloud provider that actually lets you spin up a server without needing a phd in cloud architecture. Here's our take.

Amazon RDS

Nice Pick

Managed databases for people who'd rather not manage databases. It's like having a DBA on retainer, but cheaper and less opinionated.

Pros

• Automates backups, patching, and scaling, so you can focus on your app instead of babysitting servers
• Supports multiple engines like PostgreSQL and MySQL, making it easy to switch or standardize
• Built-in high availability with Multi-AZ deployments, because downtime is for amateurs

Cons

• Costs can sneak up on you with instance sizes and storage, especially if you forget to turn things off
• Limited control over the underlying OS and some database settings, which can be frustrating for power users

Vultr

The cloud provider that actually lets you spin up a server without needing a PhD in cloud architecture.

Pros

• Simple, no-nonsense pricing with hourly billing
• Global data centers with consistent performance
• Easy-to-use control panel and API for quick deployments
• Wide selection of OS and app templates for rapid setup

Cons

• Fewer advanced enterprise features compared to AWS or Azure
• Support can be slow for non-critical issues

The Verdict

Use Amazon RDS if: You want automates backups, patching, and scaling, so you can focus on your app instead of babysitting servers and can live with costs can sneak up on you with instance sizes and storage, especially if you forget to turn things off.

Use Vultr if: You prioritize simple, no-nonsense pricing with hourly billing over what Amazon RDS offers.

The Bottom Line

Amazon RDS wins

Managed databases for people who'd rather not manage databases. It's like having a DBA on retainer, but cheaper and less opinionated.