How I Helped a Client Save 10x by Migrating from Google Cloud to Hetzner
Introduction
Cloud costs can quickly spiral out of control, especially when infrastructure scaling isn’t optimized. I recently helped a client migrate from Google Cloud to Hetzner in November 2024, reducing their monthly cloud bill from $30,000 to just $3,000—a massive 90% cost savings.
This blog post details why we made the switch, how we executed the migration, and what we learned along the way.
Why Move from Google Cloud?
My client was running a fairly common stack: VPS, Redis, and PostgreSQL on Google Cloud. However, they faced a big problem—every time their system slowed down, instead of diagnosing the root cause, they simply increased server capacity.
Without an experienced DevOps engineer, their infrastructure costs kept rising, and by the time I stepped in, they were spending nearly $30,000 per month. It was clear that they needed a better approach—one that wouldn’t break the bank.
Why should we be scared of the cloud? It’s Linux, we use it every day.
Why Hetzner?
I first came across Hetzner through a post by David Heinemeier Hansson (DHH), co-founder of 37signals, where he discussed moving away from cloud providers in favor of more cost-effective solutions. Inspired by this, I explored Hetzner and found it to be a great fit for my client’s needs.
Why Hetzner Was the Right Choice
- Significantly lower pricing compared to Google Cloud
- Powerful dedicated servers for hosting our own PostgreSQL database
- Flexible cloud VPS and storage volumes for Redis and application servers
- Better control over infrastructure without unnecessary complexity
With the right setup, we could achieve the same level of performance at a fraction of the cost.
The Migration Process
Moving from Google Cloud to Hetzner wasn’t just about copying and pasting data—we had to be strategic.
The Biggest Challenge: PostgreSQL Migration
The client’s PostgreSQL database was massive—1.8TB of data. Migrating it without major downtime was critical. We used pgsync to sync data efficiently and minimize service interruptions.
Handling DNS and Downtime
- DNS updates were quick, taking only about 2 minutes.
- We prioritized database migration over backups due to time constraints, as the next Google Cloud bill was just around the corner.
Cost Savings Breakdown
Once everything was running smoothly on Hetzner, we were able to downsize infrastructure significantly.
| Before (Google Cloud) | After (Hetzner) |
|---|---|
| $30,000/month | $3,000/month |
| Large VPS & PostgreSQL | Smaller, optimized VPS & PostgreSQL |
| No infrastructure expert | Efficient, well-planned scaling |
That’s a 90% cost reduction while maintaining stability.
Lessons Learned & Who Should Consider This Migration
Would I Do Anything Differently?
Yes, but only to make the process even faster and more efficient. Now that I’ve done this once, I could execute it even quicker for future migrations.
Who Should Consider Moving Away from Google Cloud?
If you’re:
✅ Running multiple web servers, background workers, Redis, and PostgreSQL
✅ Paying $1,000+ per month in cloud costs
✅ Open to a 70%+ cost reduction (even after including migration fees and maintenance)
Then moving to Hetzner (or another provider) could save you thousands—and I’d be happy to help make that happen.
Final Thoughts
Cloud migrations can be intimidating, but with the right approach, they can lead to huge cost savings without sacrificing performance. My client is now saving $27,000 per month while running a stable, efficient system.
If you’re interested in cutting your cloud costs, feel free to reach out—I’d love to help! 🚀