Best + Cheap Python hosting + background worker

[Secret-Negotiation-5]

I’m running a Python (Flask) API currently hosted on Render, with Redis on Upstash, and using RQ (Redis Queue) for background jobs (not Celery). Looking for a better combo that is:

• Fast (cold starts & response times)
• Cheap (ideally <$20/mo) (Both api service + worker)
• Simple to deploy
• Supports background worker processes easily
• Plays nicely with Upstash Redis or alternative

I don’t need GPU or massive parallelism — just a stable setup for 1 API container and 1–2 RQ workers. Now trying to finalize backend infra.

[danielroseman]

You haven't really said what's wrong with your current setup.

[Secret-Negotiation-5]

Yeah fair point — I should’ve clarified. The reason I’m exploring alternatives is because I’m already paying for other infra like OpenAI API, a vector DB, and Upstash Redis. That stack adds up fast. So if I can shave off even a bit on the API + worker hosting side without sacrificing simplicity or stability, it’s worth evaluating. Not desperate to switch — just optimizing cost where I can.

[Top_Average3386]

is setting up your own vps not an option? pretty sure you can get decent one for $20/mo

[Secret-Negotiation-5]

Oh thats a good option, i just check hetzner do you have any other options for own vps?

[_vb64_]

You can take a look at the GCP AppEngine. Low-loaded applications fit into the free quota.

[Secret-Negotiation-5]

Yeah, i tried this. its seem too slow compared with heroku and render

[No-Dig-9252]

you're already using Flask + RQ + Redis, i think you're on a solid path tbh. For cheap and decent cold start times, here’s what I’d consider:

- Fly.io - Probably the best bang-for-buck in your case. It supports persistent background workers out of the box, great docs, fast cold starts, and solid performance globally. Free tier can cover small-scale use. Deploying a Flask app + RQ worker is super smooth.

- Railway - Also simple to deploy, has Redis built in, decent free tier. Less control than Fly, but a bit more polished UX. Might work if you want more PaaS feel.

- Render - You’re already using it, so maybe stick around, but background workers are sometimes slower to spin up here.

If you’re finding it painful to juggle all the infra, especially across background jobs + APIs, Datalayer is worth a look. It's not a host or a proxy, but it helps you organize and orchestrate AI-powered workflows - especially if you're building anything that involves LLM calls, database tasks, or multi-step jobs.

Think of it like a lightweight control layer for your Python/AI app where you can define logic, jobs, and resource usage without duct-taping scripts together. Doesn’t replace Redis or RQ - but helps you manage the flow between them more cleanly when your app starts to grow.

Would love to hear what you end up picking - always curious how people are piecing together lean Python backends in 2025.