AWS Amplify vs Vercel: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between AWS Amplify and Vercel comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: Vercel is our overall pick for hosting & deployment workflows. Pick AWS Amplify if you need low-code backend.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
AWS Amplify
Build and deploy full-stack web & mobile apps on AWS
Best for you if:
- • You need low-code backend features specifically
- • AWS Amplify is a development platform for building full-stack web and mobile applications on AWS
- • It provides authentication, storage, APIs, and hosting with minimal configuration required
Vercel
Deploy and scale frontend apps with a global CDN and edge functions
Best for you if:
- • You need hosting & deployment features specifically
- • Frontend cloud platform
- • Next.js creators
| At a Glance |  AWS Amplify |  Vercel |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Low-Code Backend | Hosting & Deployment |
Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.4/5 |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose AWS Amplify or Vercel?
Choose AWS Amplify if
Build and deploy full-stack web & mobile apps on AWS
- AWS integration
- Full-stack support
- Good hosting
- Your work is low-code backend-shaped, not hosting & deployment-shaped
Choose Vercel if
Deploy and scale frontend apps with a global CDN and edge functions
- Seamless Git integration
- Excellent Next.js support
- Global edge network
- Your work is hosting & deployment-shaped, not low-code backend-shaped
| Feature | AWS Amplify | Vercel |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★4.4/5 100 reviews | ★4.4/5 218 reviews |
| Categories | Low-Code BackendHosting & Deployment | Hosting & DeploymentCI/CD |
In-Depth Analysis
AWS Amplify
Build and deploy full-stack web & mobile apps on AWS
Strengths
- +AWS integration
- +Full-stack support
- +Good hosting
Weaknesses
- -AWS complexity
- -Vendor lock-in
Key features
Vercel
Deploy and scale frontend apps with a global CDN and edge functions
Strengths
- +Seamless Git integration
- +Excellent Next.js support
- +Global edge network
- +Great free tier for hobby projects
Weaknesses
- -Can get expensive at scale
- -Vendor lock-in concerns
- -Limited compute resources on lower tiers
Key features
Pricing: AWS Amplify vs Vercel
| Plan | AWS Amplify | Vercel |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free Tier | $0 Hobby |
| Tier 2 | $0.023 /GB storage Hosting | $20 Pro |
| Tier 3 | $0.01 /minute Build | Custom Enterprise |
| Tier 4 | $0.3 /1M requests SSR | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on AWS Amplify pricing and Vercel pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: AWS Amplify
Want the highest-rated option?
AWS Amplify: 4.4/5 (100 reviews). Vercel: 4.4/5 (218 reviews).
Go with: AWS Amplify
Value user reviews?
AWS Amplify: 100 reviews (4.4/5). Vercel: 218 reviews (4.4/5).
Go with: Vercel
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
AWS Amplify is a low-code backend tool. Vercel is in hosting & deployment. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Both are rated 4.4/5.
Key Takeaways
Vercel
- Larger review base (218 reviews)
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
AWS Amplify
- Better fit for low-code backend
The Bottom Line
Vercel is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AWS Amplify or Vercel better?
Vercel is rated in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are AWS Amplify and Vercel used for?
AWS Amplify: Build and deploy full-stack web & mobile apps on AWS. Vercel: Deploy and scale frontend apps with a global CDN and edge functions.
What does AWS Amplify cost vs Vercel?
AWS Amplify is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Vercel is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.