Comparing Vercel, Netlify, and other popular alternatives
Table of contents
Web development platforms have revolutionized the way developers create and deploy web applications. But with so many options out there, it can be overwhelming to choose the right platform for your needs. That's why I've done the hard work for you and compared the most popular web development platforms available today.
- Vercel
Vercel is a powerful platform that offers automatic scaling and instant deployment. Its advanced features make it an excellent choice for building complex projects. And they have a nice UI! 😎
But Vercel can be somewhat difficult to use compared to Replit or other competitors.
- Netlify
Netlify is a feature-rich platform that offers continuous deployment and form handling for free. Its user-friendly interface makes it easy for developers to deploy and manage their projects.
However, some users have reported issues with site speed, and its pricing plans can get expensive for advanced features.
- Replit
Replit is a great platform that offers collaborative coding and real-time editing for free. Its community-driven approach and focus on education make it an excellent choice for students and beginner developers, altought its user interface can be a bit overwhelming for some users, the domains are really limited (projectname.username.repl.co, before it was only projectname.repl.co - clear downgrade) and it is sometimes a bit slow.
- Glitch
Glitch is a popular platform that offers hosting for full-stack JavaScript apps and collaborative coding for free. Its simple user interface and active community make it easy for beginners to get started. It also has some basic real-time capabilities, good domains (yourproject.glitch.me), this time really INSTANT deploys (~1 second to update the full website), and more. However, Glitch's features are somewhat limited compared to other platforms.
- GitHub Pages
GitHub Pages is a basic platform that offers free hosting for static websites. It's a good choice for developers who want a simple way to host their projects, but GitHub Pages don't offer much in terms of customization or dynamic content. Also, their domain is bad. yourusername.github.io/yourproject/page?
So, which platform should you choose? It depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you're a beginner, Glitch or Replit might be the best fit. If you're building a complex project, Vercel or Netlify might be a better choice. Although, out of all options, I prefer Glitch.
If you're... | ...you might like |
a Student | Glitch or Replit |
building something bigger | Vercel or Netlify |
looking for a great community | Glitch |
new to coding | Glitch |
looking for basic hosting w/ Github | Github pages or Glitch |
looking for a more complex solution | Vercel or Netlify |
someone that wants easy deploys | Glitch or Replit |
looking for a fast and stable solution | Vercel or Glitch |
⚠️ Not sponsored. Personal opinion only.
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Written by
Tiago Rangel de Sousa
Tiago Rangel de Sousa
Hi! I'm Tiago, a design-minded student focused on building beautiful interfaces & experiences