Why I Recommend Hostinger VPS Instead of Vercel for Beginner
A few months ago, a college student messaged me on LinkedIn:
“Bhaiya, I deployed my Next.js project on Vercel. Suddenly, my site got thousands of visits (Actually DDoS attack), and now I have a $3,200 bill! What do I do? 😭”
This isn’t an isolated story. Many beginners are attracted to Vercel because of its simplicity and free tier. Still, recent updates reveal that even with improved edge functions and analytics, the usage-based pricing model can catch you off guard.
Let’s break it down.
1. Vercel’s “Free” Plan: Recent Updates, Same Hidden Traps
Vercel has been rolling out impressive features recently:
- Enhanced Edge Functions & Middleware: They now support streaming responses and longer serverless functions (up to 60 seconds) to power dynamic Next.js apps.
- Improved Analytics & Caching: Better insights and more robust caching options are available, enhancing performance.
Yet, these upgrades come with a caveat. The free and usage-based pricing model means:
- A sudden spike in traffic or an unexpected DDoS attack can quickly transform your “free” project into a costly affair.
- Even with smarter caching, every extra API call or function execution is billed. Many beginners have seen bills soaring over $3,000 in a single month.
In contrast, with Hostinger VPS, you pay a fixed price regardless of the traffic surge. No surprises, no nightmares.
2. Security Matters: DDoS Protection in the Real World
Vercel’s robust infrastructure handles many cases automatically, but it doesn’t offer built-in DDoS protection out-of-the-box.
- Real Issue: A bot attack or malicious traffic can overwhelm your resources and lead to throttling or even suspension.
- The Result: Your project, no matter how promising, might take a hit right when it’s gaining momentum.
With Hostinger VPS, you have the liberty to set up:
- Cloudflare for DDoS Protection
- Custom Firewall Rules and Rate Limiting
- Direct Control Over Security Configurations
This means your site is better shielded from the unexpected, letting you focus on building rather than firefighting.
3. Total Control Over Your Environment
Vercel is designed for simplicity — perfect if you never intend to manage a server. But once you need control:
- Want to tweak caching strategies? Not possible.
- Need WebSockets for a real-time chat? Vercel isn’t ideal.
- Need deeper server customizations to optimize your backend? You’re out of luck.
On Hostinger VPS, you get:
- Full Root Access: Configure Nginx, Redis, and more to optimize performance.
- Custom Caching & Optimization: Tailor your setup to reduce latency and improve user experience.
- Reliable Scaling Options: Upgrade resources instantly as your traffic grows.
4. The Beginner-Friendly Choice: Predictability and Peace of Mind
I get it — Vercel offers one-click deployments and a seamless experience that’s hard to beat. But if you’re just starting out, consider the bigger picture:
- Predictable Costs: No surprise bills at the end of the month.
- Enhanced Security: Control over DDoS protection and firewall settings.
- Total Control: Configure your server environment to meet your exact needs.
For beginners, making the wrong hosting choice can be a costly lesson. So, I say choose Hostinger VPS and build your Next.js projects with confidence and control.
Your future self will thank you for the peace of mind — and for not waking up to a $3,000 invoice. 🚀
