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Appwrite vs Vercel
Side-by-side comparison of Appwrite and Vercel.
Quick summary
Appwrite — Open source backend platform for developers. Appwrite is an open-source end-to-end backend server that provides auth, databases, storage, functions, and messaging.
Vercel — The frontend cloud. Vercel is the platform built by the creators of Next.js, offering edge-first hosting, preview deployments, and serverless functions.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Appwrite | Vercel |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting price | $15/mo | $20/mo |
| Free tier | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | No |
| Auth | Yes | — |
| Storage | Yes | — |
| Database | MariaDB | — |
| Realtime | Yes | — |
| Free Tier | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Edge Functions | Yes | Yes |
| Row Level Security | Yes | — |
| Edge Network | — | Yes |
| Custom Domains | — | Yes |
| Bandwidth (free) | — | 100GB |
| Preview Deployments | — | Yes |
| Build Minutes (free) | — | 6000/mo |
| Serverless Functions | — | Yes |
Appwrite
Open source backend platform for developers
Pros
- Fully open source
- Self-hostable with Docker
- Multiple SDK languages
Cons
- Smaller community vs Supabase/Firebase
- Fewer third-party integrations
Vercel
The frontend cloud
Pros
- Best-in-class Next.js support
- Fast global edge network
- Excellent DX with Git integration
Cons
- Expensive at scale
- Vendor lock-in with Edge runtime
- Function timeout limits
Which should you choose?
Choose Appwrite if you value open source and want the option to self-host, and a free tier is important for your stage. Choose Vercel if a free tier is important for your stage.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Appwrite or Vercel?
There is no universal “better.” For most teams, Appwrite is the safer default because Appwrite is open source, which means you can self-host and avoid vendor lock-in. Vercel is proprietary. For edge cases, the comparison table above highlights where each tool wins.
Is Appwrite cheaper than Vercel?
Appwrite starts at $15/mo, while Vercel starts at $20/mo. Exact costs depend on usage — check both vendors' calculators before committing.
Can I migrate from Appwrite to Vercel?
Migration difficulty depends on how deeply Appwrite-specific features (APIs, SDK conventions, data schemas) are baked into your app. Most backend as a service migrations take days to weeks. Both vendors typically publish migration guides — check their docs.
Is Appwrite or Vercel open source?
Appwrite is open source; Vercel is a proprietary managed service.
Does Appwrite or Vercel have a free tier?
Both Appwrite and Vercel offer a free tier.
Which is best for startups and indie hackers?
Startups usually optimize for the lowest friction to ship and the cheapest possible free tier. The one with the most generous free tier here is Vercel. For production workloads, revisit the trade-offs in the feature table above.