Vercel vs AWS Amplify: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Vercel and AWS Amplify 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:
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
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
| At a Glance | ||
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Hosting & Deployment | Low-Code Backend |
Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.4/5 |
Choose Vercel or AWS Amplify?
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
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
| Feature | Vercel | AWS Amplify |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★4.4/5 218 reviews | ★4.4/5 100 reviews |
| Categories | Hosting & DeploymentCI/CD | Low-Code BackendHosting & Deployment |
In-Depth Analysis
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
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
Pricing: Vercel vs AWS Amplify
| Plan | Vercel | AWS Amplify |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $0 Hobby | Free Free Tier |
| Tier 2 | $20 Pro | $0.023 /GB storage Hosting |
| Tier 3 | Custom Enterprise | $0.01 /minute Build |
| Tier 4 | N/A | $0.3 /1M requests SSR |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Vercel pricing and AWS Amplify pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Vercel
Want the highest-rated option?
Vercel: 4.4/5 (218 reviews). AWS Amplify: 4.4/5 (100 reviews).
Go with: Vercel
Value user reviews?
Vercel: 218 reviews (4.4/5). AWS Amplify: 100 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?
Vercel is a hosting & deployment tool. AWS Amplify is in low-code backend. 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 Vercel or AWS Amplify better?
Vercel is rated in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Vercel and AWS Amplify used for?
Vercel: Deploy and scale frontend apps with a global CDN and edge functions. AWS Amplify: Build and deploy full-stack web & mobile apps on AWS.
What does Vercel cost vs AWS Amplify?
Vercel is freemium (free tier + paid plans). AWS Amplify is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.