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 wins this matchup. Our overall Hosting & Deployment pick is WordPress.com. Our free Hosting & Deployment pick is Podman. 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 want seamless Git integration
- • You want excellent Next.js support
AWS Amplify
Build and deploy full-stack web & mobile apps on AWS
Best for you if:
- • You want aWS integration
- • You want full-stack support
| At a Glance | Vercel | AWS Amplify |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Hosting & Deployment | Low-Code Backend |
Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.2/5 |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Vercel or AWS Amplify?
Choose Vercel if
Deploy and scale frontend apps with a global CDN and edge functions
- You want seamless Git integration
- You want excellent Next.js support
- 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
- You want aWS integration
- You want full-stack support
- Your work is low-code backend-shaped, not hosting & deployment-shaped
| Feature | Vercel | AWS Amplify |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★4.5/5 128 reviews | ★4.2/5 100 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
Vercel's free Hobby plan is the best way to deploy a Next.js app, 100GB bandwidth, 1M function invocations, and unlimited deployments at $0.
Watch out
Bandwidth overages: Pro includes 1TB. Beyond that: $0.15/GB. A site with 2TB/mo bandwidth pays $150/mo in overages on top of the $20/user base, 7.5x the sticker price
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
AWS Amplify is cost-effective for small to medium apps.
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: 4.5/5 (128 reviews). AWS Amplify: 4.2/5 (100 reviews).
Go with: Vercel
Value user reviews?
Vercel: 128 reviews (4.5/5). AWS Amplify: 100 reviews (4.2/5).
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?
Vercel is rated higher: 4.5/5 vs 4.2/5.
Key Takeaways
Vercel
- Higher user rating: 4.5/5 vs 4.2/5
- Larger review base (128 reviews)
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
AWS Amplify
- Better fit for low-code backend
The Bottom Line
Vercel wins this matchup. Our overall Hosting & Deployment pick is WordPress.com. Our free Hosting & Deployment pick is Podman.
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.