When it comes to cloud computing, AWS is often the first choice due to its scalability and the vast array of available services. However, for some workloads, costs can quickly become unsustainable. One way to optimize expenses is to consider alternative cloud providers like Hetzner.
One of the most striking cases is the migration from Amazon EKS to a self-hosted Kubernetes solution on Hetzner, such as Rancher RKE2. The cost savings can be significant, but the migration comes with some challenges that should not be underestimated.
Costs and Actual Savings Switching from AWS to Hetzner for Kubernetes orchestration can significantly reduce costs by eliminating many expenses related to managed services and AWS’s cloud billing overhead. However, the first crucial step is a thorough analysis of the resources actually needed for the current workload and future demands. Without an accurate growth forecast, there is a risk of under-provisioning infrastructure, negating the economic benefits of migration.
Resource Availability: A Key Constraint On AWS, access to compute resources is virtually unlimited—you can scale horizontally and vertically in just a few clicks. On Hetzner, however, instance availability is not always immediate, and planning ahead for resource procurement may be necessary. This aspect requires a more meticulous management strategy, especially in scenarios of rapid growth.
Network Limitations and Available Bandwidth Another critical factor is connectivity. AWS offers a global network with low latency and high throughput, while Hetzner has more stringent limitations on bandwidth and inter-datacenter connectivity. This means workloads with high network traffic must be carefully assessed before migration to avoid bottlenecks.
Conclusion: A Thoughtful Choice Migrating from AWS to Hetzner can lead to substantial savings, but only if backed by a solid analysis of resources and future needs. Building an infrastructure without the conveniences offered by AWS requires greater effort in terms of management and maintenance but can be highly beneficial for stable and predictable workloads.
This is not about determining which provider is better, but rather understanding which one is more suitable for a specific scenario. If the cost of managed services like EKS is weighing heavily on your budget and your workload is well-defined, Hetzner can be an excellent alternative.