Vercel vs Netlify

Vercel and Netlify pioneered the Jamstack deployment paradigm and remain the two most popular platforms for deploying frontend and full-stack web applications. Vercel is closely associated with Next.js and offers superior Edge Runtime support. Netlify has a broader feature set including form handling, split testing, and edge functions.

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Side-by-side

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FeatureVercelNetlify
Pricing fromFree–$20/user/moFree–$19/user/mo
PricingFree (hobby); Pro $20/user/mo; Enterprise customFree (starter); Pro $19/user/mo; Enterprise custom
Best forNext.js apps and edge-optimized deploymentsStatic sites and full-stack Jamstack apps
Framework supportFirst-class Next.js; good support for othersFramework-agnostic, strong Gatsby support
Edge networkEdge Network (V8 isolates)Netlify Edge Functions (Deno-based)
Forms handlingNo native formsNetlify Forms included
Build minutes (free)100 GB-hours/mo300 build minutes/mo

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Common questions

Is Vercel better than Netlify for Next.js?

Yes, Vercel built Next.js and the two are deeply integrated. Vercel supports all Next.js features including Server Components, Edge Middleware, and ISR without configuration. Netlify supports Next.js but with occasional delays on newer features.

Can I host a backend on Vercel?

Yes, Vercel Functions support Node.js, Python, Go, and Ruby serverless functions. For full-stack applications, Vercel handles both frontend and API routes. Long-running processes require edge functions or external services.

Which is better for open-source projects?

Both offer generous free tiers for open-source. Netlify has historically been more open-source friendly with higher free-tier limits. Vercel's open-source plan provides Hobby limits without commercial usage restrictions.