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Nhost vs Vercel
Side-by-side comparison of Nhost and Vercel.
Quick summary
Nhost — Open source Firebase alternative with GraphQL. Nhost is an open-source backend platform combining PostgreSQL, Hasura GraphQL, authentication, and storage.
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 | Nhost | Vercel |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting price | $25/mo | $20/mo |
| Free tier | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | No |
| Auth | Yes | — |
| Storage | Yes | — |
| Database | PostgreSQL | — |
| 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 |
Nhost
Open source Firebase alternative with GraphQL
Pros
- GraphQL-first via Hasura
- Postgres + open source
- Good developer experience
Cons
- Smaller community
- GraphQL learning curve
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 Nhost 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, Nhost or Vercel?
There is no universal “better.” For most teams, Nhost is the safer default because Nhost 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 Nhost cheaper than Vercel?
Nhost starts at $25/mo, while Vercel starts at $20/mo. Exact costs depend on usage — check both vendors' calculators before committing.
Can I migrate from Nhost to Vercel?
Migration difficulty depends on how deeply Nhost-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 Nhost or Vercel open source?
Nhost is open source; Vercel is a proprietary managed service.
Does Nhost or Vercel have a free tier?
Both Nhost 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.