You are a freelance developer or small team. You refuse Kubernetes for a portfolio and three APIs, but still want SSH, Git and the option to run Python tomorrow without changing host. Two French names keep coming up: Gandi, known for domains and historical ethics, and alwaysdata, the multi-language platform integrators rate highly.
"Simple" does not mean "basic". It is the least friction between your code and production, without turning you into a part-time operations engineer.
Two product cultures
Gandi built its reputation on domain names and an ethical view of the internet. Hosting exists — shared and light cloud — but is no longer the commercial core. France and Luxembourg datacenters, French support, entry around €2/month on some plans.
alwaysdata is a platform built for developers: PHP, Python, Node.js, Ruby, Java, PostgreSQL/MySQL databases, cron, logs, SSH. The Plus plan allows unlimited sites, email and databases. Instant scaling and automatic backups are part of the positioning — from around €5/month in our directory.
| Criterion | Gandi | alwaysdata |
|---|---|---|
| DNA | Domains + hosting | Dev platform |
| Runtimes | Mostly PHP (limited cloud) | Native multi-language |
| SSH / Git | Depends on product | Included (dev plans) |
| Multi-site | Possible, less central | Unlimited (Plus) |
| Support | FR | FR, human reputation |
| Cloud curve | Low to medium | Low (PaaS-like) |
When Gandi is enough
Gandi fits if your reality stays classic web: WordPress, static site, small PHP, many domains with the same registrar. Simplicity comes from registrar + hosting coherence and an interface without dev feature overload.
For a developer delivering mostly brochure sites or standard WooCommerce, Gandi avoids over-engineering temptation. Watch past pricing changes and "secondary hosting" positioning: verify exact product and renewal before bulk client migration.
When alwaysdata wins
alwaysdata shines once a project leaves shared PHP. Flask API, Node worker, Ruby cron, dedicated PostgreSQL: everything lives in one console without provisioning a VPS. Instant scaling raises RAM/CPU without reinstalling the OS — real time saved for small variable-traffic apps.
The Plus plan especially suits light agencies managing a dozen small projects: one account, one invoice, automatic backups. The Max plan adds 24/7 managed care — much pricier, useful only if you truly outsource on-call duty.
Pitfalls to avoid
Confusing simplicity with mainstream shared hosting: alwaysdata requires reading docs (cron, WSGI, environment variables). Neglecting backups: alwaysdata automates them, but test a restore. Assuming Gandi registrar forever equals hosting: nothing stops keeping domains at Gandi and the app at alwaysdata.
The peak: simple for whom?
Generic comparisons miss this asymmetry: a Python developer choosing Gandi "for ethics" will spend more time hacking than a WordPress integrator at alwaysdata "for features". The ethical registrar choice and the runtime platform choice are independent decisions — splitting them is often the simplest long-term architecture.
When evaluating trials, measure time-to-first-deploy for your actual stack, not a static HTML page. Cron configuration, environment variables, and log access differ more between these two platforms than headline RAM or disk numbers suggest.
Decide and move forward without blind spots
List runtimes over 12 months, projects per client, staging needs. Deploy identical hello-world (PHP + Node API) on both platforms on trial. Time deploy, logs and rollback.
See Gandi, alwaysdata, the comparator and alwaysdata cron and observability for operations.
Frequently asked questions
Gandi or Alwaysdata for a Python or Node.js app?
Alwaysdata, clearly — the platform natively handles PHP, Python, Node, Ruby, Java and other runtimes. Gandi stays oriented toward classic websites and light cloud rather than multi-language PaaS. For APIs and workers, alwaysdata removes the VPS tax without forcing Kubernetes.
Do both allow SSH?
Alwaysdata includes SSH on developer plans. Gandi offers SSH depending on cloud or shared product — verify the exact product sheet before ordering. SSH availability without documented deploy workflow still leaves you scripting releases by hand.
Where to host several small client projects?
Alwaysdata Plus allows unlimited sites, databases and mailboxes on one account — practical for an agency. Gandi fits if each project stays a simple PHP/WordPress site with domain at the same registrar. Billing consolidation and runtime flexibility rarely align on the same vendor.
Which is "simpler" day to day?
Alwaysdata if you deploy varied code without managing a VM. Gandi if your stack fits shared WordPress and domain reputation matters most. Simplicity follows your mental model — site plus domain versus runtime plus deploy.
Staying simple means aligning the host with your next line of code — not the next sales slide.