Vercel vs Netlify: deploy your web app from Git
Both deploy on every Git push and give you preview links, so the choice comes down to your stack. Vercel is our pick for Next.js apps, since the same team builds both and production runs on a global edge network with serverless functions. Netlify is easier for front-end sites and agency work: forms, image optimisation and a global CDN come included, and setup is lighter. Personal and side projects run free on either.
Which one to pick
You build with Next.js, want a preview URL on every push for your team to review, and plan to run serverless functions on a global edge network as traffic grows.
You ship front-end sites for clients or side projects, want contact forms and image optimisation without extra services, and prefer the lighter setup.
Side by side
Questions
Is Vercel only for Next.js?
No, Vercel deploys web apps from Git in general. The team behind Next.js runs it, which is why Next.js projects feel most at home there. If you use another framework, Netlify is an equally sound home. Test a deploy of your own repo on both.
Do both have a free plan?
Yes. Vercel's free hobby plan covers personal projects, with team plans for companies. Netlify has a generous free plan aimed at side projects and small teams. We do not list paid prices for Vercel, because they were not confirmed in our last check.
Which one handles contact forms?
Netlify includes forms, so a static site can collect messages without a separate service. Our data does not list built-in forms for Vercel. On Vercel you would handle a form through a serverless function or a third-party tool. For a brochure site with one contact form, Netlify saves a step.
How do preview deploys differ?
Vercel gives every push its own preview URL. Netlify gives every branch its own preview link. Either way, you can check a change on a live address before it reaches production. Teams that review each pull request will be happy with both.
Which is better for an agency with many client sites?
Netlify is listed for agencies in our data, and its included forms and image optimisation suit client sites. Its lighter setup helps when you launch many small projects. Vercel fits better when a client project is a Next.js app with serverless logic. Many agencies keep the brochure sites on Netlify and app work on Vercel.