Comparison

The Vercel alternative for teams shipping more than a frontend

Vercel makes deploying Next.js frontends remarkably comfortable. As soon as backends, servers or mobile apps enter the picture, you need more tools – the Application Platform covers that chain.

Frontend, backend, mobile and desktop in one project
Your own servers or managed servers instead of a closed runtime
Hosting and data processing inside the EU

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Project overview in the platform: repositories, pipelines and deployments in one place.

In short

The two platforms solve different problems. Your choice depends on how much of your system reaches beyond the frontend.

Vercel fits when you ship Next.js or JS frontends and need an edge network with previews.
The Application Platform fits when a backend, own servers, databases or mobile apps are part of it.
On Vercel your code runs managed, on ours it runs on servers you have SSH access to.
Our CI/CD pipelines live as readable GitLab configuration in your repository and can be adapted.

Vercel and Application Platform side by side

This reflects the typical scope of both platforms. Details change over time, so check the current information from each provider when it matters.

Criterion	Application Platform	Vercel
Frontend deployment	Fully covered: Next.js, React, Vue, Angular and Astro through prepared pipelines	Fully covered: Core product, very mature, especially for Next.js
Global edge network / CDN	Partly covered: Reverse proxy and SSL per server; no global edge network of its own	Fully covered: Worldwide edge network as a central building block
Backend applications	Fully covered: NestJS, Laravel and FastAPI as full services with a database	Partly covered: Serverless functions, no long-running backend services
Use your own servers	Fully covered: Your own server over SSH or a managed server from the platform	Not offered: Not supported, execution happens in the Vercel runtime
Databases and server baseline	Fully covered: Docker, databases, reverse proxy, SSL, firewall and backups are set up for you	Partly covered: Through partner and marketplace integrations
Building mobile apps	Fully covered: Flutter, Expo and native iOS and Android projects including build environments	Not offered: Not part of the product
Publishing to App Store and Play Store	Fully covered: Metadata, screenshots and releases straight from the platform	Not offered: Not part of the product
Remote development environments	Fully covered: Cloud workspaces with VS Code, JetBrains, RDP and VNC, including macOS for iOS builds	Not offered: Not part of the product
Readable and adaptable CI/CD	Fully covered: GitLab CI configuration lives in the repository and can be changed	Partly covered: Build step largely predefined, limited configurability
Where processing happens	Fully covered: Operated in the EU, servers freely selectable	Partly covered: US provider, regions selectable, processing under US law
Moving to another provider	Fully covered: Repositories, GitOps configuration and servers belong to you	Partly covered: Platform-specific features have to be replaced when you leave

Green means fully covered, amber partly, grey not offered. Vercel is mature in the frontend space – the difference lies in how much of the chain each platform covers.

As of 10 August 2026. This comparison describes typical workflows and can differ from project to project.

What the Application Platform additionally covers

Everything that stays on your plate with a pure frontend host.

Backend and database included

NestJS, Laravel or FastAPI run as long-lived services with a database, reverse proxy and backups – without additional providers.

Your servers, your access

Bring your own server over SSH or use a managed one. Either way the access stays with you.

Mobile apps all the way to the store

Flutter, Expo and native projects get built, signed and published to the App Store and Play Store with their metadata.

Cloud workspaces

Processing and hosting in Europe, with a data processing agreement and clear responsibilities.

Pipeline for Customer App

test

build

publish

release

Every merge runs through the same pipeline of test, build, publish and release.

Moving from Vercel to the Application Platform

The migration happens step by step, with your repository as the foundation.

Connect a server

Attach your own server over SSH or book a managed one. Docker, reverse proxy, SSL and backups get configured.
Create the project

Set up your project in the wizard and pick the stack. Repository, structure and CI/CD pipeline are created along with it.
Bring the frontend over

Move your existing code into the repository. Environment variables and secrets are managed centrally in the project.
Switch the domain

Domain and certificates are part of the setup. Once the pipeline is green, you point the DNS record over.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Application Platform a direct replacement for Vercel?

For frontend deployments yes, for everything else it covers considerably more. What it lacks is a global edge network with points of presence everywhere, so a CDN in front of the platform still makes sense.

Can I keep using Next.js?

Yes. Next.js is one of the prepared templates and gets built and deployed through a regular pipeline. Features tied specifically to the Vercel runtime need replacing, but standard Next.js runs unmodified.

What happens to my preview deployments?

No. Using a managed server, the platform handles setup and maintenance fully. If you connect your own server, the platform configures it – but operating it day to day stays with you.

See the platform for yourself