Deplexo vs Vercel
Vercel is optimized for frontend and Next.js deployments using serverless functions. Deplexo runs full backend applications as containers with persistent processes.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Deplexo | Vercel |
|---|---|---|
| Runtime model | Long-running container process | Serverless functions + CDN edge |
| Persistent in-memory state | Yes | No — functions are stateless |
| WebSocket support | Yes — persistent TCP connection | Yes (native, but bound by function duration limits) |
| Custom Dockerfile | Yes | No |
| Free tier | 128 MB RAM, 1 app, always-on | Hobby plan (100 GB bandwidth, function limits) |
| Backend languages | Any — runs in a container | Node.js, Python, Go, Ruby, Rust, Bun, Edge Runtime |
| Build logs | Yes | Yes |
| Custom domains | Yes — automatic routing | Yes |
Containers vs serverless
Vercel deploys functions that spin up on demand, execute a request, and then terminate. There is no persistent process. This works well for stateless request/response handlers. Vercel now supports WebSockets natively, though connections are still bound by function duration limits (10 seconds on the free Hobby plan). Background workers and in-memory caches are not supported.
Deplexo runs your app as a persistent container process. The process stays alive between requests, can hold state in memory, and can handle long-lived connections. Your app just needs to listen on a port — no framework-specific adapter required.
Use Vercel for, use Deplexo for
Vercel excels at Next.js sites with static generation, ISR, and CDN-cached pages. Deplexo is a better fit when you need: a long-running API server, WebSocket connections, a scheduled background job process, a Go or Rust binary, or any workload that does not map well to per-request serverless invocations.
FAQ
- Can I deploy a Next.js app on Deplexo?
- Yes. Deplexo detects Node.js projects and builds them in a container. Next.js runs as a standard Node server (
next start). You lose Vercel-specific features like ISR edge caching, but the app runs normally. - Does Deplexo have a CDN?
- No. Traffic is routed through a built-in reverse proxy. For assets requiring global CDN distribution, you would pair Deplexo with a separate CDN.
- Can I run a WebSocket server on Deplexo?
- Yes. Your container process keeps running and the reverse proxy forwards WebSocket connections without the duration limits that affect serverless runtimes.
- What runtimes does Deplexo support?
- Any language or runtime that can be containerized. Bring your own Dockerfile, or use deplexo.yaml to auto-detect — supports Node.js, Python, Go, Ruby, Rust, Java, PHP, Elixir, and static sites.
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