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Cloud & Infrastructure · head to head

Hetzner Cloud vs Traefik

Hetzner Cloud logo

Hetzner Cloud

Cloud & Infrastructure

Affordable cloud servers in Europe

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Traefik logo

Traefik

Network & Connectivity

Modern cloud-native edge router and API gateway

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Hetzner Cloud cost-Optimized plans are shown as currently unavailable; Traefik requires Kubernetes or container knowledge
  • They diverge on capability: Hetzner Cloud covers Cloud servers, Traefik covers API Gateway.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Hetzner Cloud and Traefik actually diverge.

Attributes where Hetzner Cloud and Traefik differ
AttributeHetzner CloudTraefik
Pricing modelusage-basedUnknown
PlatformsWeb, Api, CliKubernetes, Docker, Cloud
CategoryCloud & InfrastructureNetwork & Connectivity
Founded19972015

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Hetzner Cloud

  • Cloud servers
  • Block storage
  • Object storage
  • Load balancers
  • Networks
  • Firewalls
  • Floating IPs
  • Backups

Only in Traefik

  • API Gateway
  • Load Balancing
  • SSL/TLS Termination
  • Consul
  • etcd
  • Linux support
  • Docker support
  • Kubernetes support

Both cover

  • Docker
  • Kubernetes

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Hetzner Cloud

  • Low-cost virtual servers for development and testingnot Traefik
  • European hosting with data held in Germany or Finlandnot Traefik
  • Workloads with heavy egress, where included traffic mattersnot Traefik
  • Self-hosting applications away from the hyperscalersnot Traefik

Traefik

  • API gateway for microservices architecturenot Hetzner Cloud
  • Kubernetes ingress controllernot Hetzner Cloud
  • Container and VM traffic routingnot Hetzner Cloud
  • Cloud-native application managementnot Hetzner Cloud

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Hetzner Cloud

  • Cost-Optimized plans are shown as currently unavailable
  • The shared-resource tiers are positioned for variable usage and development rather than sustained production workloads
  • Regions are limited to Germany, Finland, the United States and Singapore, so latency to other markets is a real constraint
  • The uptime guarantee is 99.9 percent, below what the large hyperscalers offer on comparable services
  • Support is 24/7 by email, without a phone channel

Traefik

  • Requires Kubernetes or container knowledge
  • Complex configuration for advanced features

Pricing, plan by plan

Hetzner Cloud

Free
  • CX11$3.29/month
    • 1 vCPU
    • 1GB RAM
    • 25GB SSD
  • CX21$6.59/month
    • 2 vCPU
    • 4GB RAM
    • 40GB SSD

Traefik

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Traefik review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Hetzner Cloud if

  • You need cloud servers.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Api, Cli.
  • You also want block storage.
Hetzner Cloud review

Choose Traefik if

  • You need api gateway.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Kubernetes, Docker, Cloud.
  • You also want load balancing.
Traefik review

Questions people ask

Is Hetzner Cloud or Traefik better?
Neither clearly leads. Hetzner Cloud starts at Free and Traefik at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Hetzner Cloud or Traefik?
Hetzner Cloud starts at Free and Traefik at Free.
Does Hetzner Cloud or Traefik run on more platforms?
Hetzner Cloud runs on Web, Api, Cli. Traefik runs on Kubernetes, Docker, Cloud.
Can I use Hetzner Cloud for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Hetzner Cloud best used for?
Hetzner Cloud is most often used for low-cost virtual servers for development and testing, european hosting with data held in germany or finland, workloads with heavy egress, where included traffic matters, self-hosting applications away from the hyperscalers. Of those, low-cost virtual servers for development and testing and european hosting with data held in germany or finland are not what Traefik is typically brought in for.
What can Hetzner Cloud do that Traefik cannot?
Hetzner Cloud covers Cloud servers, Block storage, Object storage, Load balancers. Traefik covers API Gateway, Load Balancing, SSL/TLS Termination, Consul. Both handle Docker, Kubernetes.
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