Netlify vs Vercel: which should you choose

Choosing between Netlify and Vercel is a common decision for modern web developers. Both platforms make it easy to deploy websites, handle CI/CD automatically, and scale without thinking about servers. They are similar on the surface, but they shine in different scenarios.

This guide breaks down the differences in a practical way so you can confidently choose the right platform for your project.

High-level philosophy

Netlify started as a platform for static sites and gradually expanded into a full web platform. Its strengths are flexibility, framework-agnostic tooling, and powerful platform features like redirects, forms, identity, and edge logic.

Vercel was built around React and Next.js. Its philosophy is tight integration with a single framework, optimized performance, and opinionated defaults that “just work” for React teams.

In short:

• Netlify is framework-first but platform-driven
• Vercel is framework-specific and deeply optimized for Next.js

Framework support

Netlify supports almost every frontend framework out of the box:

• React, Vue, Svelte
• Next.js, Astro, Gatsby, Nuxt
• Hugo, Eleventy, Jekyll
• Any static output, even custom build systems

Vercel supports many frameworks, but its strongest and most mature support is for:

• Next.js (first-class)
• React-based frameworks
• Limited support for non-JavaScript static generators

If you are using Next.js heavily, especially with the App Router and server components, Vercel usually feels smoother. If you work with multiple frameworks or static generators, Netlify offers more flexibility.

Deployment workflow

Both platforms connect directly to Git providers and deploy on every push.

Netlify:

• Deploys every branch by default
• Provides deploy previews for all pull requests
• Lets you configure builds with netlify.toml
• Works well with monorepos and non-standard setups

Vercel:

• Automatic preview deployments for every pull request
• Strong GitHub integration
• Minimal configuration required for Next.js
• Less flexibility for unconventional build pipelines

Netlify gives you more control. Vercel gives you fewer decisions to make.

Serverless and edge functions

Netlify:

• Serverless Functions (AWS Lambda-based)
• Edge Functions (Deno-based)
• Background functions
• Scheduled functions
• More control over routing and execution

Vercel:

• Serverless Functions
• Edge Functions
• Tight integration with Next.js routes and middleware
• Simpler mental model if you only use Next.js

Netlify functions work well across frameworks. Vercel functions feel more natural inside the Next.js ecosystem.

Platform features

This is where Netlify clearly differentiates.

Netlify includes:

• Redirects and rewrites via config files
• Built-in form handling
• Identity and authentication
• Split testing
• Build plugins
• Large ecosystem of platform features

Vercel focuses more narrowly on:

• Hosting
• Serverless execution
• Performance optimization
• Analytics (often paid)

If you want a hosting platform that also replaces third-party tools, Netlify often wins.

Performance and CDN

Both platforms use global CDNs and offer excellent performance.

Vercel tends to be:

• Highly optimized for Next.js SSR and streaming
• Excellent for dynamic React-heavy apps
• Strong default caching strategies

Netlify:

• Excellent static performance
• Strong edge caching controls
• More transparent cache configuration

For static and hybrid sites, performance differences are usually negligible. For advanced Next.js features, Vercel often has the edge.

Pricing and limits

Netlify:

• Generous free tier
• Clear pricing tiers
• Bandwidth-based limits
• Predictable pricing for static sites

Vercel:

• Free tier is great for personal projects
• Pricing can scale quickly with traffic
• Serverless and edge usage can become expensive
• Enterprise features are often required for production teams

Netlify is often more predictable in cost. Vercel can become expensive at scale, especially for dynamic workloads.

Team collaboration and CMS workflows

Netlify integrates very well with:

• Headless CMSs
• Content workflows
• Editorial preview setups
• Multi-environment deployments

Vercel supports CMS workflows, but most examples and tooling are centered around Next.js-specific preview modes.

If you work closely with content teams, Netlify often provides a smoother experience.

When to choose Netlify

Netlify is usually the better choice if:

• You use multiple frameworks or static site generators
• You want platform features like forms and redirects
• You care about predictable pricing
• You need flexible build pipelines
• You want a framework-agnostic hosting solution

When to choose Vercel

Vercel is usually the better choice if:

• You are all-in on Next.js
• You use React Server Components heavily
• You want minimal configuration
• You want cutting-edge Next.js features immediately
• Performance for dynamic rendering is critical

Final thoughts

Netlify and Vercel are both excellent platforms. There is no universally correct choice.

If your project is Next.js-first and you want the smoothest possible React experience, Vercel is hard to beat. If you want flexibility, powerful platform features, and support for many frameworks, Netlify is often the better long-term choice.

The best approach is to match the platform to your architecture, not the other way around.