No CLI required
Surge.sh requires command-line tools. Pond lets you deploy from your browser: just drag and drop.
Pond vs Surge.sh
Static hosting without
the command line.
Surge.sh is a developer favorite, but it requires CLI tools and has expensive paid plans ($30/mo). Pond offers a web interface, cheaper pricing, and more features.
- No CLI required
- Cheaper paid plans
- Password protection
- Free custom SSL
Feature comparison
| Feature | Pond | Surge.sh |
|---|---|---|
Deployment method How you deploy | SupportedWeb UI | UnsupportedCLI only |
Paid plan pricing Cost for premium features | SupportedAffordable tiers | Unsupported$30/month |
Password protection Restrict access to sites | SupportedAll plans | PartialPro plan only |
SSL on custom domains HTTPS for your domain | SupportedFree | UnsupportedExtra cost |
Custom domains Use your own domain | SupportedPaid plans | SupportedAvailable |
SPA routing Single-page app support | SupportedSupported | SupportedSupported |
File hosting Host any file type | SupportedAny file type | UnsupportedSites only |
Global CDN Fast worldwide delivery | SupportedIncluded | SupportedIncluded |
Why choose Pond over Surge.sh?
Web-based deployment with better pricing and features
Much cheaper
Surge Pro costs $30/month. Pond's paid plans start at just $3/month and include more features.
Password protection
Protect your sites with passwords on all plans. Surge only offers this on their expensive Pro plan.
Free SSL on custom domains
Surge charges for SSL on custom domains. Pond includes free SSL certificates for all domains.
File hosting too
Host files, documents, and media, not just static sites. More versatile than Surge.
Instant deploys
Deploy in seconds from the web interface. No terminal commands needed.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about static website hosting and deployment
Static website hosting serves pre-built HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files without server-side processing. This makes websites faster, more secure, and cheaper to host than dynamic sites. Pond handles all the infrastructure so you just upload your files and go live.
Upload your HTML files and assets to Pond: drag and drop a folder or ZIP archive. Your website goes live instantly with a shareable link. Upgrade to connect a custom domain for a professional URL, and Pond handles SSL certificates automatically.
Pond works with any static site generator or JavaScript framework including React, Vue, Next.js (static export), Nuxt, Astro, Svelte, Angular, Gatsby, Hugo, Jekyll, Eleventy, and more. If it outputs HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files, you can host it on Pond.
Build your React app (npm run build), then upload the build folder to Pond. Your React application goes live immediately. For SPAs, configure Pond to serve index.html for all routes to enable client-side routing.
Add your domain in the pond settings and update your DNS records to point to Pond (we provide the exact values). We automatically provision a free SSL certificate and your website goes live on your custom domain within minutes.
Yes, Pond provides free SSL certificates for all websites including custom domains. HTTPS is enabled automatically, with no configuration needed. Your visitors see the secure padlock icon and their data is encrypted in transit.
When you deploy an update, Pond automatically purges the CDN cache globally. Your visitors see the new version immediately without waiting for cache expiration. No manual cache clearing or TTL delays.
Yes, configure your pond to serve index.html for all routes, enabling client-side routing for React, Vue, Angular, and other SPA frameworks. This ensures deep links and browser refresh work correctly.
Static sites are faster (no server processing), more secure (no database or backend vulnerabilities), cheaper to host, and scale effortlessly to handle traffic spikes. Ideal for landing pages, marketing sites, documentation, blogs, and portfolios.
Yes, use our API to automate deployments from GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, or any CI/CD pipeline. Deploy automatically on every push to your repository for seamless continuous deployment workflows.
Pond offers a free tier for static website hosting with 5MB total storage. Host your personal site, portfolio, or side project at no cost. Upgrade for additional storage, custom domains, and advanced features.
Your website stays online as long as your account is active. There are no automatic takedown periods; deploy once and your site remains live indefinitely. For free accounts, we ask that you log in occasionally to keep your account active.
Still have questions? Get in touch