Overview
PythonAnywhere is a long-running hosting service built only for Python. Every account gets a preconfigured environment with many libraries installed, unlimited in-browser Python, Bash and database consoles, an editor, SSH access and Jupyter support on paid plans. Web apps run through WSGI, with quickstart installers for Django, Flask, web2py and Bottle, and static files can be served separately to save workers.
The free Beginner account hosts one web app on a pythonanywhere.com subdomain with two consoles and restricted outbound internet access, which makes it popular for teaching and learning. The Developer plan at $10 a month adds a custom domain, unrestricted internet, 5 GB of disk and 5,000 CPU-seconds a day for consoles and tasks; PythonAnywhere says it can serve a typical site of about 150,000 hits a day. Custom plans from $10 to $500 let you pick web apps (up to 20), web workers, CPU-seconds and disk.
It is not a container platform: there is no Docker, and scaling means adding web workers to your plan. That simplicity is the point for Python-only projects, scripts that run on a schedule, and classrooms.
Pricing and plans
Free tier · no card
Beginner account: one web app at your-username.pythonanywhere.com and two consoles, with restricted outbound internet access; no custom domain.
At the limit Slows down Consoles and tasks past the daily CPU allowance keep running at low priority; nothing is charged.
Paused if unused| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | $0/mo | 1 web app on subdomain, 2 consoles, restricted internet |
| Developer | $10/mo | 1 web app on a custom domain, about 150,000 hits/day, 5,000 CPU-seconds/day, 5 GB disk, Jupyter |
| Custom | $10 to $500/mo | Up to 20 web apps, extra web workers, up to 100,000 CPU-seconds/day, chosen disk |
What it does
- Browser IDE and consoles
- Edit code and run unlimited Python and Bash consoles from any browser.
- WSGI web apps
- Quickstarts for Django, Flask, web2py and Bottle; any WSGI framework works.
- Scheduled and always-on tasks
- Run cron-style jobs and long-running scripts within a daily CPU-second allowance.
- Web workers
- Add workers on custom plans to handle concurrent requests.
- Jupyter notebooks
- IPython/Jupyter support on paid plans.
- Screen sharing
- Share consoles with other PythonAnywhere users, useful for teaching.
Strengths and limitations
Strengths
- Fastest way to put a Django or Flask site online without server work.
- Free account suited to learning and teaching.
- Simple flat monthly pricing with a money-back guarantee.
- Scheduled tasks and consoles included.
Limitations
- Python only; no Docker or other runtimes.
- Free accounts have restricted outbound internet access and no custom domain.
- Consoles and tasks are limited by daily CPU-seconds.
- Scaling is manual, by buying more web workers.
Who it suits
Good for
- Students and teachers
- Small Django or Flask sites
- Scheduled Python scripts and bots
Look elsewhere if
- Non-Python stacks
- Apps that need containers or autoscaling
Alternatives to PythonAnywhere
| Tool | From | Free option | Stages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netlify Frontend and serverless platform | $9/mo | Free tier | |
| Pethost Managed Docker Compose hosting | $11.99/mo | ||
| Leapcell Serverless PaaS | $12.90/mo | Free tier | |
| Render Managed PaaS | $7/mo | Free tier | |
| alwaysdata European managed hosting | €5/mo | Free tier | |
| Zeabur Deployment platform on dedicated servers | $5/mo | Free tier |
Questions
Is PythonAnywhere free?
Yes, a Beginner account is free with one web app on a pythonanywhere.com subdomain and restricted internet access. Paid plans start at $10/month.
Can I use my own domain on PythonAnywhere?
Yes, on paid plans. The free plan uses your-username.pythonanywhere.com.
What are CPU-seconds on PythonAnywhere?
A daily allowance of processor time for consoles, scheduled tasks and always-on tasks; web apps do not use it. Over the limit, processes still run at lower priority.
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