Deploying a Next.js Project: Vercel, Netlify, or Self-Hosting?

April 6, 2025 (1w ago)

Deploying a Next.js Project: Vercel, Netlify, or Self-Hosting?

Next.js has become a go-to framework for building fast and modern web applications. But deployment is just as important as development. In this post, we'll compare three popular ways to deploy your Next.js project: Vercel, Netlify, and self-hosting.

1. Vercel: The Official Platform for Next.js

Pros:

  • Zero-config support for all Next.js features including SSR and ISR.

  • Git integration with seamless preview deployments.

  • Built-in CDN and performance optimizations.

  • Great for personal projects, small teams, and prototypes.

Cons:

  • Limited resources on the free tier.

  • Some limitations on SSR due to platform constraints.

2. Netlify: A Versatile Jamstack Platform

Pros:

  • Good support for static export (next export).

  • ISR supported via plugins.

  • Generous free tier and strong CI/CD pipeline.

Cons:

  • SSR support is not native.

  • Some Next.js features (like middleware) may be limited.

3. Self-Hosting: Maximum Flexibility, More Responsibility

Pros:

  • Full control over the environment (e.g., Nginx, PM2, Docker).

  • Ideal for enterprise-level or private deployments.

  • Allows custom monitoring, scaling, and logging.

Cons:

  • Higher setup and maintenance complexity.

  • Requires DevOps knowledge.

Summary

Vercel offers excellent SSR support and is very simple to set up, making it suitable for small to medium projects. Netlify offers moderate SSR support via a plugin and is simple to set up, making it suitable for content-rich sites. Self-hosting offers full SSR control but is complex to set up, making it suitable for enterprise or custom projects.

When choosing your deployment strategy, consider your budget, timeline, team expertise, and project requirements.