AWS-Native vs Vercel: Which Platform Should You Choose for Your Next Web App?
A deep comparison between DIY on AWS-native services (S3, CloudFront, Lambda, DynamoDB) and all-in-one frontend platforms like Vercel. Learn the pros, cons, and best-fit scenarios for startups, SaaS, and enterprises.
AWS-Native vs Vercel: Choosing the Right Platform for Your Next Web App
When you’re building a modern web application or static site, two paths often emerge:
- DIY on AWS-native services (S3, CloudFront, Lambda, DynamoDB, etc.)
- All-in-one platforms like Vercel, optimized for frontend frameworks.
At Zalo Design Studio, we build applications on both stacks; from AWS-native SaaS backends to sites like this . Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons of each approach.
1. AWS-Native (DIY with S3, CloudFront, Lambda, DynamoDB)
✅ Pros
- Maximum Flexibility: You control every component (storage, CDN, compute, DB). Perfect for custom architectures.
- Scalability: Designed for hyperscale. AWS powers Netflix, Airbnb, and Amazon itself, you won’t outgrow it.
- Cost Control: For low-traffic sites, running static hosting on S3 + CloudFront can cost just a few dollars per month.
- Integration Options: Rich ecosystem of services (AI/ML with Bedrock, analytics with QuickSight, authentication with Cognito, etc.).
- Compliance & Residency: Better fit for industries with strict data locality or security needs.
❌ Cons
- Setup Complexity: Configuring S3 buckets, CloudFront distributions, HTTPS certs, Lambda permissions, etc. takes time.
- DIY DevOps: You must handle CI/CD, deployments, rollbacks, and monitoring.
- Steeper Learning Curve: Even simple apps require learning multiple AWS services.
- Overkill for Small Projects: A simple landing page can feel like using a rocket to light a candle.
2. Vercel (All-in-One Frontend Cloud)
✅ Pros
- Instant Deploys: Connect your GitHub repo → every push is automatically built and deployed.
- Preview Environments: Every pull request gets a live URL, great for design reviews and collaboration.
- Optimized for Next.js & React: Built by the creators of Next.js. Supports SSR, ISR, Edge Functions out of the box.
- Global Edge Network: Your site is automatically distributed worldwide with CDN-level performance.
- Developer Experience: Minimal config, polished dashboard, and built-in analytics.
- Perfect for MVPs & Startups: Launch fast, focus on product instead of infrastructure.
❌ Cons
- Vendor Lock-in: Best experience tied to Next.js and React. Harder to port elsewhere if you scale.
- Less Backend Control: You can run serverless functions, but deep backend architectures (e.g., event-driven AWS apps) are harder.
- Pricing at Scale: Free tier is generous, but costs ramp quickly for high-traffic or large teams.
- Limited Tech Stack: Optimized for JS/TS frameworks; less flexible if you want Rust, Go, or multi-language stacks.
Direct Comparison
| Factor | AWS-Native | Vercel |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of Setup | Complex (S3, CloudFront, ACM, IAM, etc.) | Plug-and-play, Git-based |
| Scalability | Unlimited, fine-grained control | Excellent, but geared to frontend apps |
| Cost (Small Projects) | Ultra cheap ($1–$5/mo static hosting) | Free tier great; Pro tier ~$20/user/mo |
| Cost (Large Projects) | Pay per use, predictable at scale | Can get expensive with high traffic |
| Flexibility | Any architecture, any backend | Optimized for Next.js + serverless |
| CI/CD & Previews | Roll your own (CodePipeline/GitHub Actions) | Built-in, automatic |
| Monitoring & Analytics | CloudWatch (powerful, but complex) | Simple, integrated |
| Best Fit For | Enterprise-grade apps, regulated workloads, AWS-heavy systems | Startups, SaaS MVPs, landing pages, modern frontend apps |
Which Should You Choose?
-
Choose AWS-native if:
You need full control, advanced backend logic, or you’re already invested in AWS infrastructure. Great for enterprise SaaS platforms, financial systems, or data-heavy applications. -
Choose Vercel if:
You want to launch quickly, focus on frontend, and benefit from instant deployments and previews. Perfect for startups, MVPs, marketing sites, and web apps built on Next.js or React.
The Hybrid Approach (Best of Both Worlds)
At Zalo Design Studio, we often recommend a hybrid model:
- Use Vercel for the frontend (UI, marketing site, customer portal).
- Use AWS-native for backend services (databases, APIs, event-driven workflows).
This way, you get the speed of Vercel with the power of AWS.
Conclusion:
Both AWS-native and Vercel are excellent choices, but they solve different problems. If you’re a startup racing to market, Vercel is unbeatable. If you’re building a regulated, large-scale platform, AWS-native is the way to go. And for many, combining both yields the best results.