Side-by-Side Comparison
| Category | Vercel | Netlify | Railway |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Next.js apps | JAMstack sites | Full stack |
| Learning Curve | Easy | Easy | Easy |
| Pricing | Free + $20/mo | Free + $19/mo | Usage + $5/mo |
| Frontend | Excellent | Excellent | Basic |
| Backend | Serverless | Functions | Excellent |
| Databases | None | None | Built-in |
| Edge | Excellent | Good | No |
Vercel
- Best For
- Next.js apps
- Learning Curve
- Easy
- Pricing
- Free + $20/mo
- Frontend
- Excellent
- Backend
- Serverless
- Databases
- None
- Edge
- Excellent
Netlify
- Best For
- JAMstack sites
- Learning Curve
- Easy
- Pricing
- Free + $19/mo
- Frontend
- Excellent
- Backend
- Functions
- Databases
- None
- Edge
- Good
Railway
- Best For
- Full stack
- Learning Curve
- Easy
- Pricing
- Usage + $5/mo
- Frontend
- Basic
- Backend
- Excellent
- Databases
- Built-in
- Edge
- No
Winner by Category
Best for Beginners
NetlifyEasiest for static sites
Best for Customisation
RailwayMost backend flexibility
Best for Speed
VercelFastest edge network
Best for Learning
RailwayTeaches full deployment stack
Best Value
NetlifyBest free tier for static sites
Best for FullStack
RailwayOnly option with databases
Our Recommendation
Deploy Next.js on Vercel, static sites on Netlify, and backends on Railway. Many projects use multiple platforms.
When to Choose Each Tool
1
Choose Vercel
Next.js and React frameworks
2
Choose Netlify
Static sites with forms
3
Choose Railway
Custom backends and databases
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