Vercel vs AWS Amplify
Detailed comparison to help you choose the right tool in 2026
π Quick Verdict
Winner: Vercel
Vercel offers a superior developer experience and is ideal for frontend teams, especially with Next.js. AWS Amplify is better for full-stack applications needing deep AWS integration.
π Explore More
π Visual Comparison
Overall Score Comparison
Category Breakdown
Vercel Highlights
- β Best Next.js support
- β Instant global CDN
- π° Free / $20/user/month (Pro)
AWS Amplify Highlights
- β Full AWS ecosystem integration
- β Built-in backend services (Auth, API, Storage)
- π° Free tier / pay per use
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Vercel | AWS Amplify |
|---|---|---|
| Frameworks | Next.js (optimized), React, Vue, Svelte, etc. | Next.js, React, Vue, Angular, etc. |
| Edge Functions | Vercel Edge Runtime | CloudFront Functions / Lambda@Edge |
| Serverless Functions | Node.js, Go, Python, Ruby | Lambda (any runtime) |
| CI/CD | Automatic (Git-based) | Built-in pipeline |
| Preview Deployments | Every PR | Branch-based |
| Custom Domains | β | β |
| Analytics | Web Vitals + Speed Insights | Via AWS services |
| Image Optimization | Built-in | Via CloudFront |
| Database | Vercel Postgres, KV, Blob | DynamoDB, Aurora, AppSync |
| Team Features | β | IAM-based |
What is Vercel?
Vercel is a cloud platform for frontend developers, providing the best developer experience for building and deploying web applications, especially Next.js projects.
β Pros
- β’Best Next.js support
- β’Instant global CDN
- β’Preview deployments
- β’Great DX
- β’Generous free tier
βCons
- β’Can get expensive
- β’Vendor lock-in concerns
- β’Limited backend features
- β’Bandwidth costs
What is AWS Amplify?
AWS Amplify is Amazon's platform for building and deploying full-stack web and mobile applications. It combines hosting, backend services, and CI/CD with deep AWS service integration.
β Pros
- β’Full AWS ecosystem integration
- β’Built-in backend services (Auth, API, Storage)
- β’Full-stack capabilities
- β’Competitive pricing at scale
- β’SSR support for Next.js
- β’AWS reliability and global infrastructure
βCons
- β’More complex setup than Vercel
- β’Developer experience not as polished
- β’Build times can be slower
- β’Documentation can be confusing
- β’AWS console complexity
- β’Less optimized for any single framework
Pricing Comparison
πIn-Depth Analysis: Vercel vs AWS Amplify
Choosing between Vercel and AWS Amplify can be challenging, as both tools offer compelling features for modern workflows. In this comprehensive comparison, we'll analyze every aspectβfrom features and pricing to real-world use casesβto help you make an informed decision.
Vercel
Vercel is a cloud platform for frontend developers, providing the best developer experience for building and deploying web applications, especially Next.js projects.
AWS Amplify
AWS Amplify is Amazon's platform for building and deploying full-stack web and mobile applications. It combines hosting, backend services, and CI/CD with deep AWS service integration.
π―Best Use Cases
When to Choose Vercel
- βFor Teams:
Best Next.js support
- βFor Small Business:
Instant global CDN
- βFor Enterprise:
Preview deployments
When to Choose AWS Amplify
- βFor Individuals:
Full AWS ecosystem integration
- βFor Small Business:
Built-in backend services (Auth, API, Storage)
- βFor Teams:
Full-stack capabilities
πFeature Deep Dive
Frameworks
Edge Functions
Serverless Functions
CI/CD
Preview Deployments
Custom Domains
π°Pricing Analysis
Vercel
Usage-based
β Free tier availableAWS Amplify
Pay-as-you-go
β Free tier availableπ‘ Pro Tip
Both tools offer free trials or tiers. We recommend testing both with your actual workflow before committing to a paid plan.
πOur Recommendation
After extensive analysis and testing, here's our take: Both Vercel and AWS Amplify are excellent tools that can significantly improve your productivity. The best choice depends on your specific needs, workflow, and priorities.
Choose Vercel if:
You want the best developer experience, are using Next.js, need instant deployments, or are building primarily frontend applications.
Choose AWS Amplify if:
You need full-stack capabilities with backend services, are already invested in AWS, or need to leverage specific AWS services.
Frequently Asked Questions
AWS Amplify can be cheaper at scale due to AWS's pay-per-use model. Vercel's free tier is more generous for hobby projects. For production, costs vary by traffic patterns.
Final Verdict: Which Should You Choose?
β¨ Choose Vercel if
You want the best developer experience, are using Next.js, need instant deployments, or are building primarily frontend applications.
β¨ Choose AWS Amplify if
You need full-stack capabilities with backend services, are already invested in AWS, or need to leverage specific AWS services.