Cloud vs Self-hosted
Which way should you run 399apps?
We sell both because both make sense — just for different teams. Here is how we think about it.
| Dimension | Cloud | Self-host |
|---|---|---|
| Time to live | Minutes | 1–4 weeks |
| Who runs the server | 399apps | You (or our managed add-on) |
| Data location | India region by default | Wherever your server is |
| Backups | Daily, retained 30 days | You configure (we ship tooling) |
| Updates | Automatic | On your schedule |
| Custom domain | Included | Yours |
| White-label | Yes, on plan | Yes, on plan |
| Source access | No | Yes, on Scale plans |
| Best for | Speed, low-ops, predictable cost | Compliance, data locality, custom infra |
FAQ
Cloud vs Self-host — FAQs
Can I start on cloud and move later? +
Yes. We will migrate your data, set up your self-hosted instance and transfer the remainder of your cloud term as credit on the self-host plan.
Which is cheaper at scale? +
Self-host is typically cheaper at high seat counts, but the break-even depends on your ops cost. We will model it honestly for your case.
Can I move from self-host back to cloud? +
Yes. The data model is identical. We will migrate you back and refund any unused server-licence months as cloud credit.
Still unsure?
Tell us your situation. We will recommend honestly.
If cloud is obviously the right call, we will say so. If you should self-host, we will say that. We sell both, so we don't need to push one.