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PartyKit vs Deno

PartyKit logo

PartyKit

Software

Platform for building and deploying realtime multiplayer servers on the edge

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
D

Deno

Software

A fast, open-source, fully Node-compatible JS runtime with TypeScript baked right in

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: PartyKit documentation and FAQ material on the marketing site is sparse compared to larger realtime platforms.; Deno the runtime itself is MIT licensed per the project's GitHub repository (denoland/deno LICENSE.md) with no cost, but Deno Deploy's free tier caps at 1 million requests and 15 CPU hours per month, per deno.com/deploy/pricing (Aug 2026)

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which PartyKit and Deno actually diverge.

Attributes where PartyKit and Deno differ
AttributePartyKitDeno
Platformsweb, apiWeb

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (freemium), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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 PartyKit

  • Stateful edge servers
  • WebSocket-first API
  • CRDT library compatibility
  • Framework integrations
  • Global edge deployment
  • Custom domains

Only in Deno

Nothing recorded that PartyKit does not also cover.

What people use each for

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

PartyKit

  • Multiplayer collaborative appsnot Deno
  • Realtime AI agent backendsnot Deno
  • Live cursors and presencenot Deno
  • Collaborative whiteboards and documentsnot Deno

Deno

No use cases recorded yet. See the Deno review.

Where each one falls short

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

PartyKit

  • Documentation and FAQ material on the marketing site is sparse compared to larger realtime platforms.
  • Commercial free tier requires deploying to the user's own Cloudflare account, adding setup complexity.
  • Storage on the free Individual plan clears every 24 hours, limiting it to prototyping rather than persistent production data.
  • Smaller ecosystem and community than more established realtime infrastructure providers.

Deno

  • The runtime itself is MIT licensed per the project's GitHub repository (denoland/deno LICENSE.md) with no cost, but Deno Deploy's free tier caps at 1 million requests and 15 CPU hours per month, per deno.com/deploy/pricing (Aug 2026)
  • Deno Deploy Pro at $20 per month charges $2 per additional million requests and $0.05 per additional CPU hour once the included quota is exceeded, per deno.com/deploy/pricing

Pricing, plan by plan

PartyKit

Free
  • IndividualFree
    • Up to 10 live projects
    • Deploy to the global edge platform
    • Storage clears every 24 hours
  • CommercialFree
    • Unlimited projects
    • Custom domains
    • Runs on your own Cloudflare account; pay only Cloudflare usage

Deno

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Deno review.

Which should you pick?

Choose PartyKit if

  • You need stateful edge servers.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on web, api.
  • You also want websocket-first api.
PartyKit review

Choose Deno if

  • You want to start without paying.
Deno review

Questions people ask

Is PartyKit or Deno better?
Neither clearly leads. PartyKit starts at Free and Deno at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, PartyKit or Deno?
PartyKit starts at Free and Deno at Free.
Does PartyKit or Deno run on more platforms?
PartyKit runs on web, api. Deno runs on Web.
Can I use PartyKit for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is PartyKit best used for?
PartyKit is most often used for multiplayer collaborative apps, realtime ai agent backends, live cursors and presence, collaborative whiteboards and documents. Of those, multiplayer collaborative apps and realtime ai agent backends are not what Deno is typically brought in for.
What can PartyKit do that Deno cannot?
PartyKit covers Stateful edge servers, WebSocket-first API, CRDT library compatibility, Framework integrations.
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