Render vs Vercel
A detailed comparison to help you choose the right hosting & deployment solution for your project.
Quick Verdict
Vercel has a feature edge based on documented capabilities, but the best choice depends on your constraints. Render is best for full-stack apps, while Vercel excels at next.js apps. See methodology for how we compare tools.
Render
Cloud for the modern developer
Best for
Vercel
Feature edgeThe frontend cloud
Best for
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Render | Vercel |
|---|---|---|
| Static Hosting | Yes | Yes |
| Serverless Functions | No | Yes |
| Edge Functions | No | Yes |
| Preview Deployments | Yes | Yes |
| Custom Domains | Yes | Yes |
| CI/CD | Yes | Yes |
| Docker Support | Yes | No |
Pricing Comparison
Render
Vercel
Render Pros & Cons
Pros
- +Simple Heroku alternative
- +Good managed databases
- +Clear pricing
- +Background workers support
Cons
- -Free tier has sleep
- -No edge/serverless
- -Build can be slow
Vercel Pros & Cons
Pros
- +Best Next.js experience
- +Incredibly fast deploys
- +Great DX and preview URLs
- +Global edge network
Cons
- -Can get expensive
- -Limited to serverless model
- -No Docker/containers
Render Verdict
Render is the cleanest Heroku replacement with transparent pricing. Great for traditional web apps and services.
Vercel Verdict
Vercel is the obvious choice for Next.js projects. The DX is unmatched. Consider alternatives if you need containers or have cost concerns.
More options in Hosting & Deployment
Looking for different tradeoffs? Explore alternatives to each tool.
Related guides
Frequently Asked Questions: Render vs Vercel
Is Render or Vercel better?
It depends on your use case. Render is best for full-stack apps and heroku migration. Vercel is best for next.js apps and frontend projects. Render is the cleanest Heroku replacement with transparent pricing. Great for traditional web apps and services.
Is Render free?
Yes, Render offers a free tier. Paid plans start at $7/mo.
Is Vercel free?
Yes, Vercel offers a free tier. Paid plans start at $20/mo.
Can I migrate from Render to Vercel?
Yes, you can migrate from Render to Vercel, though the complexity depends on how deeply integrated your current solution is. Most developers recommend evaluating both tools in a test environment before committing to a migration.
Which is more popular, Render or Vercel?
Both Render and Vercel are popular choices in their category. The best choice depends on your specific requirements, team expertise, and budget rather than popularity alone.