Lightsail provides a simpler packaged environment; EC2 provides broader infrastructure control. Choose the smallest service model that meets the workload and operating team's needs.
Use Lightsail for contained workloads
Lightsail can be a strong fit for a straightforward website, WordPress deployment or small application that benefits from predictable packaged resources and a smaller operational surface.
- Simple network requirements
- Modest and understandable scaling needs
- Small operating team
- A preference for bundled resource plans
Use EC2 for broader infrastructure control
EC2 fits applications that require deeper VPC design, instance selection, integrations, autoscaling patterns or a larger AWS architecture. That flexibility creates more decisions and operating responsibility.
Compare the whole operating model
Evaluate backups, monitoring, patching, data services, egress, support ownership and recovery—not only the displayed instance price. A simpler platform operated well is preferable to unused complexity.