Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

PythonAnywhere VS rollApp

Compare PythonAnywhere VS rollApp and see what are their differences

PythonAnywhere logo PythonAnywhere

Host, run, and code Python in the cloud: PythonAnywhere

rollApp logo rollApp

Run desktop apps, work with files, get things done - right from your browser.
  • PythonAnywhere Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-09-30
  • rollApp Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-04-10

PythonAnywhere features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    PythonAnywhere provides a user-friendly interface with pre-configured settings, which makes it simple for beginners to deploy and manage Python applications without the need to manage server infrastructure.
  • Integrated Development Environment
    It includes an in-browser code editor and Python console, making it convenient to edit and run code on the go without needing to install any software locally.
  • Affordable Pricing
    Offers various pricing tiers, including a free tier, which is very attractive for small projects, prototypes, and learning purposes.
  • Scalability
    Offers options to scale applications as needed, making it suitable for growing projects that may require additional resources over time.
  • Built-in Python Libraries
    Comes pre-installed with many common Python libraries and frameworks, saving users the time and effort of setting up dependencies.
  • Built-in MySQL Support
    Provides built-in support for MySQL databases, making it straightforward to set up and manage databases for your applications.
  • Automated Backups
    Includes automated backup features to help secure your data and provide peace of mind.

Possible disadvantages of PythonAnywhere

  • Limited Customization
    The pre-configured environment limits customization options, which may be a drawback for more advanced users who require specific configurations or installations.
  • Free Tier Limitations
    The free tier has significant limitations, including restricted CPU time and storage space, which can hinder more demanding applications.
  • Performance
    Shared plans might experience slower performance during peak times due to the shared nature of the infrastructure.
  • Lack of Root Access
    Users do not have root access to the underlying system, which can be a limitation for deploying certain types of applications or custom services.
  • Support Limitations
    While it offers community support and documentation, the level of professional support might not meet the needs of all users, especially those on lower-tier plans.
  • Limited Language Support
    Primarily focused on Python, which may not suit all projects, especially those requiring multi-language support.
  • Resource Constraints
    Lower-tier plans have stringent resource limits (CPU, RAM, storage), which can be restrictive for resource-intensive applications.

rollApp features and specs

  • Accessibility
    rollApp allows users to access and run applications from virtually any device with an internet connection, including tablets, smartphones, and Chromebooks, as it operates in the cloud.
  • No Installation Required
    Applications can be run directly from the cloud without needing to download or install them on the local device, freeing up storage and simplifying use.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    rollApp is platform-independent, enabling applications to be used on Windows, macOS, Linux, and other operating systems without compatibility issues.
  • Automatic Updates
    Applications are updated automatically in the cloud, ensuring users always have access to the latest versions without manual intervention.
  • Variety of Applications
    rollApp offers a wide range of applications, including office suites, graphic tools, and educational software, all accessible through a single platform.

Possible disadvantages of rollApp

  • Internet Dependency
    A reliable internet connection is required to use rollApp, which can be a limitation in areas with poor connectivity or for users who need offline access.
  • Performance Limitations
    The performance of applications may not match that of locally installed software, especially for resource-intensive applications, due to dependence on internet speed and server capacity.
  • Subscription Costs
    While some applications might be free to use, advanced features and certain apps require a paid subscription, which can be a cost consideration for users.
  • Limited Local File Integration
    Integration with local file systems can be limited or cumbersome, requiring additional steps to save or load files from the local device.
  • Privacy Concerns
    Using cloud-based applications raises privacy concerns about data security, as files and information are stored on external servers.

Analysis of PythonAnywhere

Overall verdict

  • Overall, PythonAnywhere is considered a good option for those seeking a reliable, straightforward, and affordable way to host Python applications. While it might not cater to the needs of very large scale or highly customizable environments, it is well-suited for personal projects, small to medium-sized applications, and educational purposes.

Why this product is good

  • PythonAnywhere is a popular choice for hosting Python applications because it offers a convenient and user-friendly platform for both beginners and experienced developers. Its cloud-based service allows for easy deployment and execution of Python scripts without the need to manage physical servers. The platform supports web development frameworks like Flask and Django, provides a variety of integrations and is equipped with a web-based interactive console, which makes it highly accessible for many users.

Recommended for

    PythonAnywhere is especially recommended for Python developers (beginners and intermediates), educators, students, and hobbyists who are looking for an easy and quick way to deploy and host their Python applications or who need an online python environment for coding practice.

PythonAnywhere videos

Python Anywhere with pythonanywhere - Simplified Python VPS hosting

More videos:

  • Review - Deploy Python Flask App on Pythonanywhere.com
  • Review - PythonAnywhere in one minute

rollApp videos

Run Linux programs in Chromebook! Simply Use rollApp!

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to PythonAnywhere and rollApp)
Text Editors
100 100%
0% 0
Web App
0 0%
100% 100
Cloud Computing
86 86%
14% 14
Cloud Hosting
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, PythonAnywhere seems to be a lot more popular than rollApp. While we know about 55 links to PythonAnywhere, we've tracked only 1 mention of rollApp. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

PythonAnywhere mentions (55)

  • [Offer] I need someone to set up a webhook in my WordPress site and a Python server with listener + bot
    The website is already built. Each comment will have a reddit post URL, and the bot should leave a comment on that URL. We can use pythonanywhere.com for this to make it easiest. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Flask and web hosting
    If you are learning, use pythonanywhere.com as they specialize in python, and make setup easy. Only $5 a month. Start with a barebones flask app, get it to run, then follow a tutorial. Actually better to build the app locally, easier to test with IDE like Pycharm. Then upload to the net. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Redirecting client to my server via a external server
    Hello, I have a Minecraft server running on a Rpi with Paper. It works great and I use it to play with some of my friends. However, the server's public IP address often changes, meaning that I have to give my friends the new IP address daily. Being a programmer, I feel this could be automated. I don't want to buy a domain, so I want to try and setup a system where the server sends Its IP to my PythonAnywhere... Source: over 3 years ago
  • Question Gallery WebApp Django or Flask?
    Hosting wise, I would reccomend pythonanywhere.com, combined with either https://imagekit.io or https://cloudinary.com. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Cheap Heroku alternative for PHP MySQL app
    So what is the best alternative? I have one Plotly Dash app on pythonanywhere.com where I spend 6 bucks a month so I don't want to spend anymore than 5 dollars per month on the PHP + MySQL. Source: over 3 years ago
View more

rollApp mentions (1)

  • Any way to run QGIS on Chromebook?
    Https://rollapp.com/ wonderful site, even has OpenTTD. Source: over 3 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing PythonAnywhere and rollApp, you can also consider the following products

Heroku - Agile deployment platform for Ruby, Node.js, Clojure, Java, Python, and Scala. Setup takes only minutes and deploys are instant through git. Leave tedious server maintenance to Heroku and focus on your code.

neverinstall - Fastest way to run desktop apps

Google App Engine - A powerful platform to build web and mobile apps that scale automatically.

vagon - vagon is the simplest high-performance computer that anyone can use.

DigitalOcean - Simplifying cloud hosting. Deploy an SSD cloud server in 55 seconds.

Paperspace - GPU cloud computing made easy. Effortless infrastructure for Machine Learning and Data Science