Where should you deploy your Next.js Project? | Serverless vs Serverful

Summary

In this video, the creator discusses the pros and cons of deploying a new NEX project on various platforms, focusing on the differences between serverless functions and long-lived servers. The video compares providers like Netlify, Vercel, Cloudflare, and Fly.io, explaining how each handles scalability, pricing, and deployment options. Key features like edge functions, cold starts, and static asset caching are explored. The creator concludes by recommending Vercel for serverless deployment and Fly.io for long-lived servers, sharing personal preferences and insights on the best use cases for each provider.

Takeaways

• 😀 Serverless vs. long-lived servers: The main choice when deploying a NEX project is whether to use serverless functions or long-lived servers, with each having pros and cons.
• 😀 Serverless functions are cost-efficient for low-traffic websites as they only charge for actual function executions, while long-lived servers charge 100% of the time for keeping the server running.
• 😀 One of the key drawbacks of serverless functions is the cold start issue, where functions may take a few seconds to spin up if there is no recent traffic.
• 😀 Long-lived servers offer consistent, fast performance since the server is always running, but they can become costly as you pay for the server’s uptime, regardless of traffic volume.
• 😀 Serverless functions scale automatically with traffic, eliminating the need for manual adjustments, while long-lived servers require manual scaling based on usage.
• 😀 Cloud providers for serverless functions often offer easy Git-based deployment and automatic scaling, making them user-friendly compared to long-lived server solutions.
• 😀 Netlify and Vercel support both Node.js and Edge (V8) runtimes, allowing developers to choose based on their needs, with Edge functions offering faster execution due to reduced latency from global deployment.
• 😀 Edge functions offer no cold start issues and provide better performance for global users by serving content from the nearest region, unlike traditional Node.js functions which require specific deployment regions.
• 😀 Cloudflare, unlike Vercel and Netlify, only supports Edge functions and does not provide an option to choose between Node.js and Edge runtimes, limiting flexibility for certain applications.
• 😀 Fly.io, a long-lived server provider, offers static asset caching and multi-region support, but requires more manual setup with Docker files and CLI deployment, making it less user-friendly compared to serverless providers like Netlify and Vercel.

Q & A

What are the two main types of server deployment mentioned in the video?

The two main types of server deployment mentioned are serverless functions and long-lived servers. Serverless functions run in a way where resources are allocated only when needed, while long-lived servers are constantly running, handling all incoming requests.

What is the key advantage of using serverless functions for deployment?

The key advantage of using serverless functions is cost efficiency. You only pay for the actual execution of the functions when they are called, and if there's no traffic, you don't pay for any server usage.

What is the drawback of serverless functions mentioned in the video?

A drawback of serverless functions is the 'cold start' issue. If the function hasn't been used for a while, it may take some time (up to several seconds) to start up, which can result in a delay for users accessing the website.

How do long-lived servers differ from serverless functions in terms of pricing?

With long-lived servers, you pay 100% of the time that the server is running, regardless of traffic. This contrasts with serverless functions, where you only pay for the actual executions, leading to potential cost savings when there’s low or no traffic.

What scalability benefit does serverless functions provide over long-lived servers?

Serverless functions automatically scale to handle increased traffic without the need for manual intervention. If a website experiences a sudden traffic spike, serverless functions can accommodate it without requiring adjustments to the server setup.

What is the scalability limitation of long-lived servers?

Long-lived servers require manual management of resources, such as CPU and memory. If there is a sudden traffic spike, the server may experience downtime unless it is manually scaled to handle the increased load.

What deployment option do most serverless providers, like Netlify and Vercel, have in common?

Most serverless providers, such as Netlify and Vercel, support Git-based deployments. This means you can simply push your code to GitHub and then import it into these platforms for automatic deployment, without needing to configure additional tools like Docker.

What is the main difference between Vercel's and Netlify's function runtimes?

Vercel and Netlify offer two main types of function runtimes: the Node runtime and the Edge runtime (V8). The Node runtime supports more features, including certain Node.js packages, while the Edge runtime is faster, eliminates cold starts, and is more suited for globally distributed deployments but has some limitations in terms of package compatibility.

Why would you choose the Edge runtime over the Node runtime, despite the limitations?

You would choose the Edge runtime for faster performance, particularly to avoid cold starts. The Edge runtime is also better suited for global distribution since it serves requests from regions closer to the user, improving the speed and performance of the website.

What is a significant limitation of Cloudflare's deployment option compared to other providers?

Cloudflare only supports Edge functions (V8 runtime) and does not allow the use of Node functions. This can be a limitation if your application requires Node-specific packages, as Cloudflare's Edge functions are not compatible with all Node.js packages.

What is the advantage of Fly.io compared to other long-lived server options?

Fly.io offers static asset caching, which helps improve performance by caching images, fonts, and other static assets. This contrasts with other long-lived server options, such as Railway and Render, which require users to bring their own CDN for caching purposes.

What is the benefit of using SST for deployment, and how does it differ from traditional providers like Vercel and Netlify?

SST is a framework that builds on AWS, making the deployment process easier. It is different from traditional providers like Vercel and Netlify because it does not charge for the platform itself, but instead you only pay for AWS services. It also provides automatic deployments and offers the advantages of AWS Lambda's Node runtime.

What are the advantages of using a serverless provider like Vercel or Netlify compared to long-lived servers?

Serverless providers like Vercel and Netlify offer many conveniences, such as automatic scaling, easy Git-based deployment, no cold starts with Edge functions, and integrated static asset caching. They handle most of the technical setup, making them more user-friendly for developers compared to long-lived servers that require manual resource management and scaling.

What recommendation does the video provide for users deciding between serverless and long-lived servers?

The video recommends using serverless providers like Vercel for marketing websites and long-lived server providers like Fly.io for backend applications. Serverless is better for sites with variable or low traffic, while long-lived servers are suitable for more consistent or resource-heavy applications.