Is Vercel only for Next.js projects?

No, while Vercel is created by the team behind Next.js and offers the best experience for it, the platform supports over 35 other frameworks. You can deploy sites built with Astro, Nuxt, SvelteKit, and more. However, the most advanced features like ISR are most seamlessly integrated with Next.js.

Which platform is cheaper for a growing application?

Both platforms have very competitive pricing with generous free tiers. Costs depend heavily on usage patterns like bandwidth, build minutes, and function invocations. Vercel's costs can scale with features like Image Optimization, while Netlify's pricing is often influenced by the number of team members and build plugin usage, so it's best to model your specific needs against each provider's pricing page.

How do Vercel's Edge Functions compare to Netlify's Edge Functions?

Both run code on their global CDN, but they use different runtimes. Vercel uses a high-performance V8 Isolate runtime, tightly integrated with Next.js Middleware. Netlify uses a Deno-based runtime that adheres closely to standard web APIs, offering a more framework-agnostic approach. The choice often comes down to whether you prefer deep framework integration or a more standardized, flexible environment.

Can I use server-side rendering (SSR) on Netlify?

Yes, Netlify supports SSR for various frameworks, including Next.js, Nuxt, and SvelteKit, by running them within serverless functions. While Vercel is more known for its hybrid SSR/SSG approach, Netlify provides a robust and scalable way to run server-rendered applications on its platform, often with minimal configuration.

Comparison · Infrastructure

Netlify vs Vercel

Netlify and Vercel have revolutionized frontend and full-stack development by popularizing modern web architectures and serverless compute. Both platforms offer a seamless Git-based workflow, a global edge network, and serverless functions, making it difficult to choose between them. This comparison breaks down their core differences in architecture, performance, ecosystem, and philosophy to help you decide which is the right fit for your next project.

Netlify vs Vercel

Origins and Core Philosophy

Architecture and Edge Capabilities

Performance and Caching

Ecosystem and Integrations

When to Choose Which

Frequently asked questions

Is Vercel only for Next.js projects?

Which platform is cheaper for a growing application?

How do Vercel's Edge Functions compare to Netlify's Edge Functions?

Can I use server-side rendering (SSR) on Netlify?