Netlify Alternative for Static Sites 2026
Netlify pioneered modern static hosting, then grew beyond it. Build minutes, bandwidth caps, and add-on pricing have made it complex. Most static sites need something simpler.
Netlify grew beyond static hosting
Netlify helped define the modern web. Git-based deploys, global CDN, free SSL. It made static hosting accessible when few others did.
Since then, it's grown into a full-stack platform: serverless functions, edge handlers, forms, identity, analytics, split testing, and a plugin marketplace. Each feature solves a real problem.
But each feature also adds to the pricing model. Build minutes are metered. Bandwidth is capped at 100GB on the free tier. Forms, identity, and analytics are paid add-ons. A simple static site can unexpectedly land in a higher tier just by getting popular.
If you're using Netlify's full feature set, it's worth the complexity. If you're hosting static files, there's a simpler option.
What ShipStatic does instead
ShipStatic is the 20% of a hosting platform that serves 80% of websites.
You give us your files. We serve them from a global edge network. You get a URL.
There are no build minutes to track because there's no build system. There's no bandwidth cap because your price is flat. There are no add-ons because the product is already complete.
No build system, no build minutes. Netlify meters build time. ShipStatic has no build pipeline to meter. You build your site however you want and upload the result.
Flat per-domain pricing. One price per custom domain, nothing else. No add-ons, no per-seat fees, no bandwidth tiers. Internal domains (yoursite.shipstatic.com) are free.
Unlimited bandwidth. No 100GB cap, no overage charges. Your price stays flat regardless of traffic.
Immutable deployments. Every version is a permanent snapshot. Point your domain at any previous version instantly.
Six ways to deploy. CLI, SDK, REST API, web dashboard, drag-and-drop, or MCP for AI agents.
Automatic HTTPS. On every domain, provisioned and renewed without configuration.
We don't do forms, identity, or analytics. We don't do serverless functions or edge handlers. We don't have a plugin ecosystem. If you need those, pair them with dedicated services, or stay with Netlify.
At a Glance
| ShipStatic | Netlify | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | $4.99/mo per domain | Free tier / $19/mo Pro + add-ons |
| Bandwidth | Unlimited (fair use) | 100GB/mo free, then per-GB charges |
| Build minutes | N/A (no build system) | 300/mo free, then metered |
| Deploy methods | CLI, SDK, API, Web, MCP, Drag & Drop | Git push, CLI, Drag & Drop |
| Custom domains | Included, auto HTTPS | Included, auto HTTPS |
| Rollbacks | Instant (immutable snapshots) | Available from deploy list |
| Serverless functions | No | Yes |
| Forms / Auth | No | Yes (paid add-ons) |
| AI agent deploy | MCP + SDK | - |
For developers and AI agents
ShipStatic's CLI follows the Unix philosophy: do one thing, do it well.
ship deploy ./dist. That's the whole command. No config files, no framework detection, no build step. Your files go up, your site goes live.
This matters if you value composability. ship works like any other Unix tool: pipe it, script it, drop it in a Makefile. It's predictable in the way that curl and rsync are predictable.
For AI agents, this is the same advantage. When an MCP-compatible assistant needs to publish a website, it gets a clean, well-defined tool with no ambient state to manage. Upload files, receive URL. The Node.js SDK provides the same interface programmatically.
Choose ShipStatic when...
- You want static hosting with no build minutes or bandwidth caps
- You build sites with AI tools or static generators and deploy the output
- You prefer flat pricing with no metering or add-on fees
- You don't need built-in forms, auth, or serverless functions
Stay with Netlify when...
- You need serverless functions, edge handlers, or background jobs
- You use Netlify Forms, Identity, or Analytics
- You want Git-based CI/CD with branch-based preview deploys
- You rely on Netlify's plugin ecosystem
There's no wrong answer. Just different tools for different jobs.
Common questions
Can I migrate from Netlify to ShipStatic?
Yes. Build your site locally (or with any tool), take the output folder, and deploy with ship deploy ./dist or drag it into the web dashboard. No configuration needed.
What about Netlify Forms and Identity?
ShipStatic doesn't bundle forms or auth. Use dedicated services like Tally or Formspree for forms, Auth0 or Clerk for identity. They work with any static host, and you avoid vendor lock-in.
How does pricing compare as my site grows?
ShipStatic charges a flat rate per domain regardless of traffic. On Netlify, a site that gets popular can exceed the free bandwidth cap and build minute limit, pushing you into paid tiers with overage charges. Your ShipStatic bill stays the same.
Looking at more options? See our full static hosting comparison for 2026.
Ready to simplify?
No extra charges, no surprise bills, nothing to maintain.