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What is Vercel?
A definitive deep dive on the Vercel platform and why you should use it.
Vercel at a Glance
Here is a high-level TL;DR of Fishtank’s perspective on Vercel.
- Vercel simplifies web development with automated deployments and a global edge network.
- Its serverless architecture offers seamless scaling for modern applications, supporting both frontend and server-side processing, including APIs.
- As the creator of Next.js, Vercel provides optimized support for Next.js projects, but it also supports a wide range of frameworks and languages like Django, Flask, Svelte, Nuxt, and Astro. (most of our customers use Next.js)
- It has many tiers, all valuable, starting at free and scaling to enterprise (most of our customers use Enterprise)
- For complex backend needs like databases, Vercel requires integration with third-party services.
Fishtank has widely adopted, and highly recommends organizations to consider Vercel for their next-generation initiatives. Please reach out to us for help getting started with your organization's Vercel critical use-cases and implementation. We’re experts.
Overview of Vercel
Vercel is a cloud platform designed to simplify web development, supporting both frontend and server-side processing. Its mission is to empower developers to build high-performance, scalable, and secure web experiences with minimal setup, covering frontend interfaces and server-side logic like APIs, though it depends on external services for databases and other backend components.
Trusted by companies like Under Armour, Nintendo, Sonos, and TikTok, Vercel is part of the MACH Alliance, promoting modern, composable architecture. Its developer-first approach and deep ties with Next.js—a React framework it created—make it a go-to for modern projects, while its support for frameworks like Django, Flask, Svelte, Nuxt, and Astro broadens its appeal.
Vercel Platform Architecture and Services
Vercel's platform combines framework-defined infrastructure with a global edge network and serverless architecture to deliver high-performance web applications without manual configuration. The platform is designed for both frontend and server-side development needs, offering an integrated solution optimized for speed, scalability, and security.
Core Infrastructure
- Global Edge Network: Featuring strategically positioned Points of Presence (PoPs) worldwide, Vercel routes traffic to the nearest edge region using private connections to boost cache hit rates and reduce latency. This global distribution happens automatically without additional configuration.
- Serverless Architecture: Vercel eliminates traditional server management by provisioning resources on demand and scaling applications with traffic (including scaling to zero when idle). The platform supports:
- Serverless Functions for handling API requests and backend operations
- Edge Functions for executing low-latency tasks like middleware at the network edge
Deployment and Workflow
- Flexible Deployment Options: While Vercel integrates natively with GitHub, GitLab, and Bitbucket for automated deployments, it also supports deployments from any code repository via the Vercel CLI. Enterprises using tools like Azure DevOps can maintain their preferred source control workflows.
- Development Lifecycle Features:
- Preview deployments generate unique URLs for pull requests, enabling isolated testing
- Instant rollbacks allow quick recovery from problematic deployments
- Built-in analytics monitor application performance metrics
- Custom domains with automatic HTTPS simplify production setup
Security Architecture
- Comprehensive Protection: Vercel provides a built-in security layer featuring automatic HTTPS with free SSL certificates, DDoS protection that mitigates billions of weekly malicious requests, and a customizable Web Application Firewall (WAF).
- Enterprise Security: The expandable network architecture supports VPN connectivity and direct peering for enhanced security and compliance requirements.
Performance Optimizations
- Multi-layered Caching: Performance is enhanced through intelligent caching across browser, edge, and origin layers to accelerate load times.
- Content Delivery: Automatic image optimization resizes and compresses files, while Incremental Static Regeneration (ISR) allows updates to static content without requiring complete rebuilds.
At Fishtank, we've launched Vercel as a platform of future for many use-cases — from secure customer portals with VPN connectivity to high-performance public-facing websites. Its architecture provides a lot of flexibility to deliver the solutions our customers need.
Security and Compliance
Vercel prioritizes security with a serverless and edge-based architecture that minimizes vulnerabilities. Key features include:
- Automatic HTTPS: Free SSL certificates for encrypted connections (See: Vercel Security).
- DDoS Protection: Blocks billions of malicious requests weekly.
- Web Application Firewall (WAF): Protects against threats like SQL injection and cross-site scripting.
- IP Blocking and Rate Limiting: Controls access to prevent abuse.
- Secure Compute: Private backend connections for sensitive operations.
- Compliance Standards: Meets SOC 2 Type 2, ISO 27001, PCI DSS, GDPR, CCPA, and HIPAA, ideal for sensitive data.
These ensure Vercel is a secure, compliant platform for developers and businesses.
Benefits of Vercel vs. Traditional Server-Based Hosting
Vercel offers significant advantages over traditional server-based hosting for modern web development:
- Simplified Deployment: Vercel automates deployment via Git integration or the Vercel CLI, eliminating manual server setups. A Next.js app—or any supported framework like Django or Svelte—can go live with a
git pushor CLI command. - Global Performance: Its edge network delivers content from servers closest to users, cutting latency compared to single-server traditional hosting. Under Armour reduced infrastructure time by 90% and boosted speed (See: Vercel Customers).
- Automatic Scaling: Serverless architecture scales seamlessly with traffic spikes, perfect for events like product launches, as Sonos saw a 50% speed improvement during high demand.
- Enhanced Developer Experience: Preview deployments provide production-like testing for pull requests, and instant rollbacks fix issues fast, streamlining collaboration.
- Cost Efficiency: Usage-based pricing with a free Hobby plan beats fixed-cost traditional Hosting, ideal for startups or variable-traffic projects.
Comparison Table: Vercel vs. Traditional Server-Based Hosting
Here’s a comparison of Vercel and traditional hosting across deployment, scalability, performance, cost, developer experience, maintenance, and security, showcasing Vercel’s edge for modern apps.
| Aspect | Vercel | Traditional Hosting |
|---|---|---|
| Deployment | Automated from Git or CLI | Custom deployment scripts |
| Scalability | Auto-scales with traffic, granularly with each request, not limited by traditional resource-based scaled | Traditionally scales by server, often overwhelmed and doesn’t perform under load. |
| Performance | Global CDN, built-in optimizations | Requires CDN setup, manual tweaks |
| Cost | Usage-based, negotiated at the enterprise level | Fixed costs, even when idle |
| Dev Experience | Previews, rollbacks, analytics | Separate tools, complex workflows |
| Maintenance | Zero upkeep | Patching, monitoring required |
| Security | Automatic HTTPS, DDoS protection, SOC 2, ISO 27001 compliance | Manual SSL setup, varying compliance, more attack vectors |
Vercel’s automated deployments, global edge network, and optimizations deliver superior performance and simplicity. Its scaling, zero maintenance, and robust security make it a standout choice for modern web development.
Key Technical Features and Capabilities
Vercel’s technical features cater to both frontend and server-side needs, making it a favorite for high-performance apps:
- Serverless Functions: Run backend code like APIs without managing servers, scaling automatically Vercel Functions.
- Edge Functions and Middleware: Execute code near users for low-latency tasks like authentication or redirects, enhancing flexibility.
- Image Optimization: Automatically resizes and compresses images for faster load times (See: Vercel Images).
- Incremental Static Regeneration (ISR): Updates static pages without full rebuilds, ideal for dynamic content (See: Next.js ISR).
- Server-Side Rendering (SSR): Renders pages on the server for better SEO and faster loads (See: Next.js SSR).
- Preview Deployments: Unique URLs for pull requests enable production-like testing (See: Vercel Previews).
- Automatic HTTPS: Free SSL certificates ensure secure connections for all deployments.
These features streamline development, boost performance, and prioritize security across frontend and server-side use cases.
Next.js Framework and Vercel’s Framework Support
Next.js, created by Vercel, is a leading React framework for full-stack development, simplifying server-side rendering (SSR), static site generation (SSG), and API routes Next.js. Its tight integration with Vercel makes it a flagship offering.
Beyond Next.js, Vercel supports a variety of frameworks and languages, including Django and Flask (Python), Svelte, Nuxt, and Astro, making it a flexible platform for diverse web projects. Used by companies like Hulu and Nike, Next.js thrives on Vercel’s optimized deployment, while other frameworks benefit from its robust infrastructure.
| Framework/Platform | Description |
|---|---|
| Next.js (Most Popular) | React framework optimized for production, offering server-side rendering (SSR), static site generation (SSG), and API routes for building high-performance web applications. |
| Django | High-level Python web framework that emphasizes rapid development, clean design, and includes built-in features for database management, user authentication, and more, suitable for complex, database-driven websites. |
| Flask | Lightweight Python web framework focused on simplicity and flexibility, allowing developers to build web applications with minimal setup and maximum control, often used for small to medium-sized projects. |
| SvelteKit | Application framework built on Svelte that provides server-side rendering (SSR), static site generation (SSG), and other features for building robust, scalable web applications with advanced routing and data handling. |
| Astro | Static site builder that focuses on content-driven websites, delivering lightning-fast performance by minimizing JavaScript and supporting multiple rendering modes, including SSR and SSG. |
| Nuxt | Vue.js framework that provides structure, server-side rendering (SSR), static site generation (SSG), and other features like API routes and middleware for building robust and performant web applications. |
| Gatsby | React-based framework for building static websites that leverages GraphQL for data management, offering high performance, security, and scalability, with support for SSR and DSG (Deferred Static Generation). |
This not a comprehensive list of every platform supported by Vercel. Check out Vercel’s frameworks documentation for more information.
Competitive Landscape
Vercel operates in a space with several platforms vying for leadership in modern web deployment. The most direct competitor is Netlify who differentiates itself by its additional offerings, not by having better core technology.
| Platform | Description |
|---|---|
| Netlify | A cloud platform for deploying modern web apps, offering automated CI/CD, serverless functions, and a global CDN for high performance. |
| Render | A unified cloud platform for deploying and scaling apps, featuring automatic scaling, private networking, and integrated CI/CD pipelines. |
| Cloudflare Pages | A JAMstack platform for frontend developers, providing Git-based deployment, serverless functions via Cloudflare Workers, and a global CDN. |
| AWS Amplify | A full-stack platform for building web and mobile apps, with authentication, storage, Git-based CI/CD, and scalable hosting on AWS’s CDN. |
While these competitors offer valuable features, Vercel stands out as the leader in the market for delivery platforms. Its constant innovation, higher reliability, and overall quality of experience are second to none, which is why it’s trusted by enterprises.
Check out out deep dive on how to choose a Next.js hosting platform for some more details.
Vercel for Websites: Sitecore XM Cloud
Sitecore XM Cloud is the leading enterprise SaaS-native Content Management System (CMS), designed to deliver flexible, scalable digital experiences for modern businesses. Using Vercel with Sitecore XM Cloud is our leading use-case at Fishtank. When combined with Vercel, this duo creates a powerful, transformative platform that elevates how organizations build and manage their digital presence.
- Blazing-Fast Global Performance: Leveraging its global edge network and resilient serverless infrastructure, Vercel delivers lightning-fast content from nearby locations while automatically scaling to handle traffic surges during high-demand events like product launches.
- Streamlined, Automated Deployments: Vercel dramatically simplifies deployments which means your team can push updates and see them live within minutes, not hours or days. With automated builds and instant preview deployments, web teams can release new features faster and more confidently, significantly accelerating the development cycle and time-to-market for new capabilities.
- Revolutionary Development and Testing: Preview deployments generate unique URLs for every code branch, enabling teams to test changes in production-like environments and catch issues early. This feature transforms collaboration, allowing developers, testers, and stakeholders to iterate quickly and rethink traditional development processes.
- Future-Proof Platform for All Projects: Vercel and Sitecore XM Cloud are a perfect match for building websites, applications, or APIs, offering unmatched performance and scalability. Enterprises can rely on these technologies as the foundation for all future website projects while Vercel can continue to be used
Vercel with Sitecore XM Cloud (in our experience) unlocks a lot of possibilities and is a dramatic shift in enterprise content management, digital experience and application delivery world.
Business Model and Pricing Plans
Vercel’s usage-based pricing suits projects of all sizes. The free Hobby plan is perfect for small apps, the Pro plan ($20/month) supports growing teams, and the Enterprise plan offers custom pricing with advanced security and a 99.99% uptime SLA.
At Fishtank, 95% of our customers ultimately end-up using the enterprise tier for one reason or another. We use it ourselves - not at the enterprise tier - but we don’t have the same requirements as many large organizations do.
Customer Base, Verticals, and Case Studies
Fishtank’s customer base on Vercel is very diverse including utilities, non-profits, professional services, financial services and many more.
Vercel's total customer base spans every industry, demonstrating its versatility and ability to meet diverse business needs. From e-commerce to technology, companies across various verticals have leveraged Vercel's platform to achieve significant improvements in performance, scalability, and productivity.
- E-commerce: Under Armour and Sonos use Vercel for fast, scalable online stores. Under Armour cut infrastructure time by 90%, while Sonos saved 1 year of developer time, streamlining their development process (See: Vercel Customers).
- Media and Entertainment: TikTok and Nintendo rely on Vercel for high-traffic, low-latency sites, benefiting from fast deployments and rollbacks.
- Technology: HashiCorp leverages Vercel’s developer-friendly features for efficient app deployment (See: Decibel). Stripe achieved 100% uptime during Black Friday, ensuring seamless payment processing during peak traffic.
- Education and Marketing: Vercel supports content-driven platforms with quick load times and easy deployments. Box saw a 300% increase in page views, enhancing user engagement.
- Other Notable Achievements: Adobe experienced 6x faster builds and deployments, accelerating their development cycle. Chick-Fil-A reduced build times by 99.96%, and Zapier achieved 24x faster builds, showcasing Vercel's efficiency.
So what can you take from this? Vercel has a track record of empowering organizations of all sizes, addressing many pre-existing problem and proving to be a platform of significant value.
Developer Experience, AI and Future Direction
Vercel enhances developer experience with Git integration, Turborepo for 85% faster monorepo builds, comprehensive documentation, and a vibrant Next.js community (See: Vercel DX). Future plans focus on advancing edge computing and exploring backend integrations for a more comprehensive platform.
Additionally Vercel advances AI with Vercel v0, generating React components and small applications from text prompts, and the AI SDK 3.0 for streaming React components from large language models (See: Vercel AI SDK). The AI Accelerator program offers $850,000 in credits to AI startups (See: Vercel AI Accelerator.
Why Use Vercel?
Vercel is a standout choice for modern web development, offering:
- Automated deployments and a global edge network that simplifies development and ensures fast performance
- Comprehensive serverless architecture supporting both frontend and backend needs
- Advanced features like image optimization, incremental static regeneration, and preview deployments
- Enterprise-grade security with SOC 2, ISO 27001 compliance and built-in DDoS protection
- Strong integration with Sitecore XM Cloud for enterprise content management
- Flexible pricing plans from free hobby tier to custom enterprise solutions
For organizations seeking a reliable, scalable, and feature-rich deployment platform, Vercel delivers exceptional value with industry-leading developer experience and performance optimization.
Fishtank is a leading Vercel partner. With sophisticated, high-performance implementations across many industries, we have helped organizations transform how they operate and and achieve their missing critical goals. If you've made it to the end of this article, consider reaching out— we can help your organization make the leap.