Cheap and Efficient Stack

Hetzner VPS + Docker Compose + Cloudflare R2 + optional Upstash.

This architecture is optimized for low fixed cost and direct operational control, while keeping an upgrade path for Redis and storage when ingestion volume grows.

Compute

1x Hetzner Cloud CPX11 for API, worker, web app, Postgres and Redis in Docker Compose.

Expected baseline: ~€7.13 + IPv4 add-on.

Object Storage

Cloudflare R2 for artwork and share cards. No egress charges in typical edge scenarios.

~$0.015 / GB-month, free tier included.

Queue / Cache

Start with local Redis on VPS. Migrate to Upstash when multi-region or managed reliability is needed.

Upstash PAYG from ~$0.20 per 100k commands.

Production Topology

Internet
  -> Caddy (TLS + reverse proxy)
    -> frontend (Next.js)
    -> backend (Fastify API + workers)
    -> postgres (state)
    -> redis (queue/cache)
  -> Cloudflare R2 (artwork, cards)
  -> Stripe webhooks (billing events)