Vercel deploys Next.js apps in minutes. AWS deploys everything else.
Vercel and AWS solve different problems. Vercel is the best deployment platform for Next.js applications. AWS is the best infrastructure for everything that Next.js hosting doesn't cover: databases, queues, storage, and large-scale infrastructure.
Deployment architecture decision between Vercel and AWS — often framed as an either/or when the best answer is usually both
The Vercel vs. AWS question is usually based on a false premise: that you need to choose one.
What Vercel does well:
- Zero-configuration Next.js deployment
- Global CDN for static assets
- Serverless function deployment for API routes
- Preview deployments for every pull request
- Edge middleware
- Build optimization for Next.js specifically
What Vercel doesn't do:
- Managed databases (they have integrations to Neon, Supabase, etc. but don't run databases)
- Background workers or long-running processes
- SQS/message queues
- Container-based workloads
- The 200+ services AWS provides
What AWS does well:
- S3 for file storage
- RDS for managed relational databases
- SQS for message queues and job processing
- EC2/ECS for container workloads
- Every other infrastructure primitive needed
- Scale to any size
What AWS doesn't do as well as Vercel:
- Next.js deployment specifically — deploying Next.js on AWS (Lambda, AppRunner, ECS) requires more configuration and often doesn't support all Next.js features at the same level as Vercel
The common architecture:
- Vercel: Next.js application hosting
- Neon or RDS: Postgres database
- S3: file storage
- SQS + Lambda: background job processing
- Vercel + AWS = best of both
Deployment architecture that uses Vercel for the Next.js application and AWS for the supporting services that Vercel doesn't provide
Vercel for Next.js application hosting. AWS for S3 file storage, SQS job queues, and SES email when needed.
One honest number to start.
Fixed-scope, fixed-price. The number below is the starting point — final scope is built from your brief.
Deployment architecture that uses Vercel for the Next.js application and AWS for the supporting services that Vercel doesn't provide
Three steps, every time.
The same repeatable engagement on every project. No surprises, no mystery, no billable ambiguity.
Brief & discovery.
We send you questions, then get on a call. Output: a written scope with every step, feature, and integration listed.
Build & ship.
Fixed schedule, weekly reviews. No scope creep unless you change the scope — and if you do, we reprice it transparently.
Warranty & retainer.
30-day warranty on every launch. Most clients stay on a monthly retainer for ongoing features and maintenance.
Why Fixed-Price Matters Here
Infrastructure architecture is part of the project scope. Included in the proposal.
Related engagements.
Questions, answered.
Yes — AWS App Runner, ECS, or Lambda-based deployments. The trade-off: more configuration, some Next.js features may need adjustment, and the DX is less smooth than Vercel. Teams with AWS expertise or compliance requirements that prevent third-party hosting might choose this.
Vercel Pro: $20/month per seat. AWS: pay-for-what-you-use, typically $50-$200/month for a startup-scale application. The combo is usually under $250/month total.
Tell Ryel about your project.
Describe what you’re building and what outcome you need. You’ll have a written, fixed-price scope within the week.