Choosing between Vercel, Netlify, and AWS Amplify is the most critical decision for modern frontend teams. This comprehensive analysis compares performance, pricing, developer experience, and advanced features to help you select the best serverless platform for your needs.

For a 6-year-old: Imagine Vercel is a sports car (fast and sleek), Netlify is a minivan (comfortable for everyone), and Amplify is a transformer truck (can become anything you need)!

Platform Overview

Vercel

The performance leader for Next.js and React applications. Optimized for Jamstack with edge functions and instant cache invalidation.

Netlify

The pioneer in serverless deployment with the richest plugin ecosystem. Ideal for diverse frameworks with easy configuration.

AWS Amplify

Full-stack solution tightly integrated with AWS services. Best for teams already in the AWS ecosystem needing backend integration.

Feature comparison of Vercel, Netlify and AWS Amplify platforms

Feature Comparison

FeatureVercelNetlifyAWS Amplify
Next.js OptimizationExcellentGoodFair
Static Site DeploymentExcellentExcellentGood
Server-Side Rendering (SSR)Edge NetworkLimited RegionsCloudFront Functions
Edge FunctionsVercel EdgeNetlify EdgeCloudFront Functions
Build Speed~45s avg~90s avg~120s avg
Free Tier Limits100GB Bandwidth100GB Bandwidth1,000 Build Mins
Git IntegrationGitHub, GitLab, BitbucketAny Git ProviderGitHub, CodeCommit
CI/CD PipelineBuilt-inBuilt-in + PluginsCodePipeline
Backend IntegrationVercel Serverless FunctionsNetlify FunctionsAWS Services (DynamoDB, Lambda, etc)
Pricing ComplexitySimple (Usage-based)Simple (Usage-based)Complex (Multiple AWS services)

Performance Benchmarks

Testing Next.js application with 100 pages (US-East region):

MetricVercelNetlifyAWS Amplify
Cold Start (SSR)~120ms~350ms~850ms
Static Asset Delivery~40ms~55ms~65ms
Build Time (Next.js)42s76s128s
Concurrent Deployments10 projects5 projects1 project

Performance comparison chart of Vercel, Netlify and AWS Amplify

Ideal Use Cases

When to Choose Vercel

  • Next.js applications requiring ISR/SSR
  • High-traffic marketing sites needing edge caching
  • Teams prioritizing developer experience
  • Projects needing instant rollbacks

Example: E-commerce site with real-time inventory updates

When to Choose Netlify

  • Multi-framework projects (Gatsby, Hugo, Eleventy)
  • Teams needing visual configuration tools
  • Projects requiring form handling out-of-the-box
  • Open-source projects with community plugins

Example: Documentation site with community contributions

When to Choose AWS Amplify

  • Full-stack applications using AWS services
  • Enterprises with existing AWS infrastructure
  • Projects requiring fine-grained IAM permissions
  • Applications needing Cognito authentication

Example: Internal dashboard with AWS data sources

For a 6-year-old: Picking a hosting platform is like choosing shoes – Vercel are running shoes (fast), Netlify are school shoes (reliable), Amplify are hiking boots (powerful)!

Pricing Comparison

PlanVercel ProNetlify ProAWS Amplify
Base Price$20/user/month$19/user/monthPay-per-use
Bandwidth1TB included400GB included$0.085/GB
Serverless Functions1,000 GB-hrs500 GB-hrs$0.00001667/GB-s
Edge Functions$0.50/million invocations$0.25/million invocations$0.60/million invocations
Concurrent BuildsUnlimited31 (default)

Migration Considerations

  • Netlify to Vercel: Simple for Next.js projects, 1-2 days effort
  • Vercel to Netlify: Moderate effort for configuration parity
  • Amplify to Vercel/Netlify: Complex due to AWS service dependencies

The Verdict

Based on 2025 benchmarks and feature analysis:

  • Vercel wins for Next.js performance and developer experience
  • Netlify leads in flexibility and plugin ecosystem
  • Amplify excels for AWS-integrated full-stack applications

For most frontend teams, Vercel provides the best balance of performance, developer experience, and modern features.

Next Steps

Explore these resources to deepen your knowledge: