Should I Host My Next.js Project on Vercel or AWS?

You've built an impressive Next.js application and now comes the crucial decision - where to host it? As you research your options, you're probably feeling overwhelmed by the choice between Vercel, the platform specifically designed for Next.js, and AWS, the cloud computing giant. The stakes feel especially high when this might be your first significant deployment, and you're anxious about getting everything right - from security to scalability.

Many developers find themselves in this exact position, particularly when their project needs to handle substantial traffic (think 10,000-20,000 monthly users) while maintaining tight security standards. The pressure to make the right choice is real, especially when you're working against deadlines and trying to manage costs effectively.

Let's dive deep into both platforms to help you make an informed decision that aligns with your project's needs.

Understanding Next.js and Hosting Requirements

Before we compare hosting options, it's essential to understand what makes Next.js unique and why hosting requirements matter. Next.js is a powerful React framework that's revolutionized how we build full-stack web applications. It offers several key features that your hosting solution needs to support effectively:

• File-system Based Routing: Next.js uses your project's file structure to create routes automatically

• Flexible Rendering Options: Support for both server-side rendering (SSR) and static site generation (SSG)

• API Routes: Built-in API endpoint creation without needing a separate backend

• Image Optimization: Automatic image optimization and delivery

• Edge Functions: Serverless functions that run at the edge of the network

These features make Next.js incredibly powerful, but they also mean your hosting solution needs to be capable of handling these various rendering methods and serverless functions efficiently.

Vercel: The Native Platform

Vercel, created by the same team behind Next.js, offers what many consider the most straightforward path to deployment. When you deploy on Vercel, you get:

• Zero Configuration: Push your code and it just works

• Automatic Preview Deployments: Every pull request gets its own preview URL

• Edge Network: Global CDN for fast content delivery

• Built-in Analytics: Real-time performance monitoring

• Seamless Git Integration: Automatic deployments from your repository

However, as many developers have discovered, this convenience comes with considerations. As one developer noted in a Reddit discussion, "If you're starting, Vercel is good to have everything up and running quickly without any thought. But the moment your product starts to scale, you'll face the money issue of Vercel."

AWS: The Flexible Giant

Amazon Web Services (AWS) offers a more customizable but complex approach to hosting Next.js applications. You have several options within the AWS ecosystem:

• AWS Amplify: A platform similar to Vercel but integrated with AWS services

• Elastic Container Service (ECS): For containerized deployments

• Elastic Beanstalk: For traditional web application hosting

• Lambda + API Gateway: For a completely serverless setup

The flexibility of AWS comes with both advantages and challenges. As developers in the community have shared, AWS provides more control over your infrastructure but requires more technical expertise to set up and maintain.

Cost Considerations

One of the most frequently discussed topics in the developer community is hosting costs. Here's what you need to know:

Vercel Pricing:

• Generous free tier for hobby projects

• Team plans starting at $20/month

• Usage-based pricing that can increase significantly with traffic

• Some developers report unexpected cost spikes with high traffic

AWS Pricing:

• Pay-as-you-go model

• More complex pricing structure

• Generally more cost-effective at scale

• Requires careful monitoring and optimization

As one developer shared on Reddit: "I've been seeing a lot of posts about how expensive Vercel can get if the website gets decent traffic." This concern has led many to explore AWS as a more cost-effective solution for scaling applications.

Security Considerations

Security is a major concern, especially for first-time deployments. Both platforms offer robust security features, but they approach it differently:

Vercel Security:

• Built-in DDoS protection

• Automatic HTTPS

• Easy integration with Next-auth

• Managed security updates

AWS Security:

• Comprehensive security tools (AWS WAF, Shield, etc.)

• Fine-grained access control with IAM

• Multiple authentication options (Cognito, etc.)

• Compliance certifications for various standards

Practical Considerations and Common Challenges

File System Access and Storage

One significant limitation that developers often encounter with Vercel is restricted filesystem access. As highlighted in community discussions, this can be particularly challenging when dealing with file uploads like PDFs and images.

The recommended solution for both platforms is to use AWS S3 for file storage:

# Example of uploading files to S3
aws s3 cp localfile.pdf s3://yourbucketname/

Deployment and Maintenance

Vercel Deployment:

• Git-based deployments

• Automatic branch previews

• Simple rollbacks

• Minimal DevOps knowledge required

AWS Deployment:

• Multiple deployment options

• More complex CI/CD setup required

• Greater control over deployment process

• Requires DevOps expertise

Scaling Considerations

When it comes to scaling, both platforms have different strengths:

Vercel Scaling:

• Automatic scaling

• Global edge network

• Limited configuration options

• Can become costly at scale

AWS Scaling:

• Highly customizable scaling options

• Multiple regions available

• More control over resources

• Cost-effective at scale with proper optimization

Development Experience

The development experience varies significantly between platforms:

Vercel:

# Simple deployment command
vercel deploy

AWS:

# Example AWS deployment using CDK
cdk deploy

Making Your Decision

Based on the experiences shared by the developer community and practical considerations, here's a framework for making your decision:

Choose Vercel if:

1. You're deploying your first significant Next.js project

2. You need rapid deployment and minimal configuration

3. Your project is small to medium-sized

4. You value development experience over cost optimization

5. You don't need extensive customization

Choose AWS if:

1. You expect significant scaling needs

2. You require fine-grained control over infrastructure

3. Cost optimization is a priority

4. You have DevOps expertise available

5. You need specific compliance requirements

Conclusion

The choice between Vercel and AWS isn't just about technical capabilities – it's about finding the right fit for your specific needs, team expertise, and growth expectations. As one developer wisely advised on Reddit, "you should go with the option you are more comfortable with."

For many teams, starting with Vercel and migrating to AWS if needed is a practical approach. This allows you to benefit from Vercel's simplicity early on while keeping the option to scale with AWS's more complex but flexible infrastructure later.

Remember that both platforms are constantly evolving, and what might be a limitation today could be solved tomorrow. The key is to make an informed decision based on your current needs while keeping an eye on future requirements.

For more detailed information and community experiences, you can explore:

• Next.js Documentation

• Vercel Documentation

• AWS Next.js Deployment Guide

Whatever platform you choose, ensure you have a clear understanding of your project's requirements, growth expectations, and team capabilities to make the most informed decision possible.