Netlify pricing: Features and plans explained

Netlify's pricing model is a popular choice for SaaS companies because of its flexibility and scalability.

In this article, we'll take a closer look at Netlify's pricing, features, and how its pricing engine works. 

You'll also learn:

• How Netlify's pricing structure benefits different types of companies
• Steps to build your own pricing model inspired by Netlify
• How Orb can help you implement and manage your pricing engine

First, we’ll explain what Netlify is and how it works. 

What is Netlify?

Netlify is a platform that empowers developers to build and deploy modern websites and web applications with ease. Think of it as a one-stop shop for all your web development needs, from building and deploying to scaling and collaborating.

What makes Netlify truly stand out?

It removes the difficulty of managing infrastructure and automating complex processes. Instead of getting bogged down in server configurations and deployment workflows, you can focus on crafting exceptional digital experiences.

With Netlify, you can connect your tools, collaborate with your team, and deliver top-notch web projects faster. Thousands of businesses, from startups to large enterprises, rely on Netlify to power their online presence.

How does Netlify work?

Netlify provides a workflow for building, deploying, and managing modern web projects. It acts as a bridge between your code and your users, taking care of the technical heavy lifting so you can focus on creating amazing web experiences.  

Here's a closer look at the key components that make Netlify tick:

• Connecting to your code: It all starts with your code. Netlify seamlessly integrates with popular Git providers like GitHub, GitLab, and Bitbucket. Simply connect your repository, and Netlify takes over from there.
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• Automated builds: Once connected, Netlify builds your website or web application when you push new code changes. It leverages build tools and configurations to generate a static version of your project, ready for deployment.   
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• Global deployment: Netlify's global-edge network ensures your website is delivered to users around the world fast. Your project is deployed to servers located closer to your users, reducing latency and boosting performance. 
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• Preview deployments: Before going live, Netlify allows you to preview changes with deploy previews. Every pull request generates a unique URL, making it easy to share and collaborate with your team.
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• Serverless functions: Need to add dynamic functionality to your static site? Netlify's serverless functions have you covered. Write your backend code in JavaScript, and Netlify takes care of deploying and scaling it automatically.  
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• Forms and data management: Netlify simplifies handling user input with built-in forms. Add a simple attribute to your HTML forms, and Netlify will capture submissions without any server-side code. You can integrate with third-party services to manage your data. 
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• Collaboration and integrations: Netlify offers features like team management, access control, and logs. It also integrates with a wide range of tools to improve your workflow,  from content management systems to analytics platforms.

Netlify plans are designed to be transparent and predictable, allowing you to focus on building without worrying about unexpected costs. Next up is a closer look at Netlify's cost and pricing models. 

What are Netlify's pricing models? 

Netlify understands that one size doesn't fit all when it comes to web development. That's why they offer a range of pricing plans designed to cater to diverse needs and budgets. Let's break down Netlify pricing with a closer look at each tier:

Starter

The Starter plan is completely free to get started and allows you to experience the core features of the platform. It's ideal for personal projects, prototypes, and experimenting with new ideas.

What's included?

• Single member seat: You get one member seat, perfect for individual developers.
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• Bandwidth and build minutes: 100GB of bandwidth and 300 build minutes per month should be plenty for smaller projects.
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• Key features: Get core features like a global-edge network, live site previews, instant rollbacks, and support for static assets and serverless functions.
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• ‍Pay-as-you-go model: While the Starter plan is free to begin with, you only pay for what you use beyond the included limits. Need more bandwidth or build minutes? Simply pay for the extra resources as needed.

Pro

The Pro plan is designed for teams and businesses that need more power and features. It builds upon the Starter plan with enhanced capabilities and resources.

Pricing: $19 per member per month.

What's included?

Everything in Starter, plus:

• Background functions for long-running tasks
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• Password-protected sites for added security
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• Increased limits with 1TB bandwidth and 25,000 build minutes per month
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• Team collaboration features like audit logs, shared environment variables, and support for organization-owned private Git repos
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• Enhanced support with Slack & email notifications and email support

Enterprise

The Enterprise plan offers maximum control, compliance, and support for large-scale web projects. It includes all the Pro features and adds enterprise-grade functionalities.

Pricing: You’ll need to request a quote for custom pricing tailored to your specific needs.

What's included?

Everything in Pro, plus:

• Advanced security features like a secrets controller, org-level SSO, and SCIM
• Organization management tools for streamlined administration.
• Custom billing options for greater flexibility.
• Better support with 24/7 SLAs and dedicated support engineers

Takeaway: Netlify's pricing model is designed to be flexible and scale with your needs. It caters to a broad audience, contributing to its growing Netlify revenue and solidifying its position as a leader in its field. 

Netlify's pricing structure is best for these types of companies

Netlify's pricing structure makes it a compelling choice for a wide range of companies and fields. Let's explore some specific examples where Netlify pricing truly shines:

1. Startups and growing businesses

Netlify pricing offers an attractive entry point for startups and scaling businesses. The free Starter plan allows them to get started without any upfront investment. As their needs grow, they can easily upgrade to a higher tier or purchase add-ons, making sure they only pay for the resources they actually use.

2. Agencies and freelancers

Agencies and freelancers often juggle many projects with varying requirements. Netlify pricing's flexibility allows them to tailor their spending to each project's needs. 

They can leverage the free tier for smaller projects and opt for higher tiers with more resources for demanding clients. This granular control helps them manage costs and maximize profitability.

3. High-traffic websites and applications

Websites and apps experiencing rapid growth can benefit a lot from Netlify pricing. The platform's scalable infrastructure and pay-as-you-go model allow them to handle traffic spikes without breaking the bank. 

4. Organizations with fluctuating needs

Businesses with seasonal traffic patterns appreciate the adaptability of Netlify pricing. They can adjust their resource allocation based on their current needs, avoiding unnecessary expenses during slower periods. 

This dynamic approach to pricing aligns perfectly with their fluctuating demands. Using a pricing model similar to that of Netlify means less money left on the table. 

5. Teams prioritizing collaboration

Netlify's focus on teamwork makes it a good choice for teams working on web projects. Features, like deploy previews, shared environment variables, and access control, simplify teamwork and boost productivity. 

The per-member pricing in the Pro and Enterprise plans also means fair and transparent billing based on team size. That last point is key if you’re considering building a pricing engine similar to Netlify’s.  

How to build your own pricing model like Netlify

Want to create a pricing structure that's equally attractive and effective for your solution as Netlify’s pricing model? Here's a breakdown of the key steps:

Step 1: Understand your costs and value

Start by pinpointing all the costs associated with delivering your SaaS product. Include infrastructure, development, support, and any other relevant expenses. 

You should also clearly articulate the value you offer to customers. Ask yourself: What problems do you solve, and how do you differentiate yourself from competitors?

Step 2: Analyze your target audience

Start by segmenting your audience. Divide your potential customers into groups based on their needs, budget, and usage patterns. 

Then, you can get a better picture of their willingness to pay. Conduct market research to understand how much each segment will pay for your offering.

Step 3: Choose a pricing strategy

Choose the pricing strategy that best aligns with your SaaS product:

• Value pricing: Price in this strategy is based on the perceived value you deliver to customers.
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• Cost-plus pricing: With this strategy, you add a markup to your costs to determine your selling price.
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• Competitive pricing: Align your prices with those of your competitors.
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• Freemium or tiered pricing: Offer a free basic plan and paid premium tiers with additional features.

Step 4: Structure your pricing tiers

• Create distinct tiers: Develop a clear hierarchy of pricing tiers with varying features and resources.
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• Set appropriate price points: Ensure each pricing tier reflects a balance of affordability and potential profitability, considering the unique value and demand of each tier.
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• Offer add-ons: Provide optional add-ons for customers who need extra resources or features.

Step 5: Implement a usage-based component

Incorporate a usage-based component into your pricing model to boost its appeal. Identify specific features that can be measured and billed based on actual usage. Set clear usage thresholds for each metered feature within each pricing tier. 

Remember: Implementing a pay-as-you-go system promotes transparency. It also allows customers to scale their usage according to their needs. 

Step 6: Communicate your pricing clearly

Explain your pricing model and what's included in each tier. Make sure customers understand the value they receive at each price point. Emphasize the benefits of your offering, stressing how it addresses their needs and beats competitors. 

Remember to present your pricing information in a simple and accessible format. You want to make it easy for potential customers to evaluate their options and make informed decisions.

Step 7: Continuously monitor and adjust

Track key metrics such as customer acquisition and revenue across all pricing tiers. Gather customer feedback through surveys, interviews, and support interactions. These insights will help you to understand their pricing preferences and spot areas for improvement. 

You should regularly review and adjust your pricing model based on data and feedback. The goal is to make certain it’s aligned with market dynamics and customer expectations.

How Orb can support your pricing engine with its suite of features

You’ve seen how the Netlify pricing model aligns with their offerings to streamline web development. It handles the complexities of building, deploying, and scaling websites. 

Orb brings that same simplicity to usage-based billing. Our done-for-you billing platform handles metering, pricing, and invoicing so that you can focus on scaling your product.

Join companies like Perplexity and Vercel, which rely on Orb to power their usage-based billing. 

Here's how Orb supports your pricing engine:

• Automated usage tracking: Orb connects to your app and tracks customer usage and billable events. No more manual data aggregation or complex integrations.
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• Flexible pricing models: Experiment with tiered pricing, volume discounts, prepaid credits, and more. Orb's flexible platform makes it easy to iterate on your pricing strategy.
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• Instant insights: Get a real-time view of your revenue streams, customer usage patterns, and billing performance with Orb's intuitive dashboards and reports.
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• Built for scale: Orb's infrastructure scales to handle millions of billing events, ensuring accuracy and reliability, even during peak demand.
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• Developer-centric: Integrations, APIs, and a developer-friendly experience make Orb easy to use and integrate.
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• AI-native: Orb is purpose-built for AI billing. We offer support for token-based pricing, threshold billing to prevent fraud, and prepaid credits for consumption tracking.

Ready to simplify your billing and scale up faster? Get started with Orb today and try out our 30-day free trial. You can also explore our convenient pricing plans to find the one that best fits your needs and budget.