Vercel vs AWS: where should you host your web app?
Vercel is a frontend cloud platform made by the creators of Next.js. You connect a Git repository and every push gets a deployment, with serverless functions and a global edge network included. AWS is a general-purpose cloud with hundreds of services, from virtual servers and containers to databases, queues and machine learning. One optimises for developer experience; the other for breadth and control.
The short answer
Choose Vercel for Next.js and frontend-heavy projects where fast deployments, preview links and minimal operations matter most. Choose AWS when you need long-running services, complex networking, specific compliance controls, or many backend services under one roof. A common setup uses Vercel for the frontend and AWS for databases, queues and heavy backend work.
Vercel vs AWS at a glance
| Criterion | Vercel | AWS |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | Connect a repository and deploy | Design and configure services yourself |
| Next.js support | First-class; new features work immediately | Via Amplify, OpenNext or containers |
| Preview deployments | Automatic for every branch and pull request | Possible, but you build the pipeline |
| Long-running work | Functions have execution time limits | Servers, containers and queues for any duration |
| Service breadth | Hosting, functions, storage and add-ons | Almost any infrastructure you need |
| Cost predictability | Simple to start; usage costs can grow with traffic | Granular; requires monitoring and tuning |
| Operations effort | Very low | Higher: IAM, networking, monitoring |
| Compliance control | Fewer infrastructure-level controls | Fine-grained regions, networking and audit |
Choose Vercel when
- You are deploying a Next.js website, SaaS frontend or marketing site
- You want preview links for every change so stakeholders can review
- There is no dedicated DevOps person on the team
- Backend work is mostly short API calls to databases and third-party services
Choose AWS when
- You run long jobs, background workers, WebSockets or scheduled processing
- You need private networking, specific regions or strict compliance controls
- The product uses many backend services such as queues, streams and data warehouses
- You have the skills, in-house or contracted, to manage infrastructure as code
- You want fine control over cost at significant scale
Developer experience versus control
Vercel removes almost all infrastructure decisions for frontend projects. Builds, caching, SSL, custom domains and preview deployments work out of the box, which lets small teams ship quickly. AWS asks you to choose and configure each piece, which takes more time but means nearly any architecture is possible.
Costs and limits
Vercel is simple to start with, but heavy traffic, bandwidth and function usage are billed by consumption, so it is worth monitoring as you grow. AWS can be cheaper at scale for steady workloads, but only when someone sizes resources sensibly and watches the bill. Neither is automatically the cheaper option; it depends on the workload and who manages it.
Using them together
For many of the SaaS products I build, the Next.js app runs on Vercel while the database, file storage, background workers and queues live on AWS or a managed provider. This keeps frontend deployments simple and leaves heavier backend work on infrastructure designed for it.
Frequently asked questions
Can I host Next.js on AWS?
Yes. Options include AWS Amplify, the open source OpenNext adapter with Lambda, or a Node.js container on ECS or App Runner. Each needs more setup than Vercel.
Is Vercel only for Next.js?
No. It supports many frameworks, including Astro, SvelteKit, Nuxt and static sites, though Next.js support is the most complete.
Will I be locked in to Vercel?
Mostly no. Next.js is open source and runs on any Node.js host. Some platform features, such as specific caching or edge configuration, need replacing when you move.
Still deciding?
Tell me about your product, users and constraints, and I will recommend the option that fits, even if it is not the one I use most.
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