Overview
Vercel is a frontend cloud, made by the team behind Next.js, and it is excellent at serving Next.js and other frontends close to users. Most products also need a database, a backend server, a domain, transactional email and a way to message users. On Vercel, those come from other providers you sign up for separately.
Rimbra deploys from GitHub the same way, and runs your backend as a long-running server next to a managed database. The domain, HTTPS, Email API and WhatsApp API live in the same workspace, on the same bill.
Rimbra and Vercel, side by side
| Rimbra | Vercel | |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy from GitHub, every push | Yes | Yes |
| Next.js, Vite, Astro, SvelteKit, Nuxt | Yes | Yes |
| Long-running servers (Express, Django, Go, Docker) | Yes, as a normal server | Run as functions |
| Managed PostgreSQL, MySQL, Redis | Built in | Through marketplace partners |
| Buy domains | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic HTTPS | Yes | Yes |
| Transactional Email API | Built in | Not built in |
| WhatsApp API and shared inbox | Built in | Not built in |
| MCP server for AI agents | Yes | Yes |
| Free plan for commercial projects | Yes | Hobby plan is for non-commercial use |
Checked October 2026 from Vercel’s public pages. Products change; if something here is out of date, write to support@rimbra.app and we’ll fix it.
Which one to choose
Choose Rimbra when
- Your product has a backend, a database or both, and you want them next to your app.
- You send email or WhatsApp messages and would rather not add two more providers.
- You want one account and one bill for the whole product.
Vercel may fit better when
- Your product is a frontend that needs a global edge network and edge functions.
- You rely on Vercel-specific features such as its image optimisation, edge middleware or analytics.
Moving from Vercel to Rimbra
- 01
Sign up for Rimbra and connect GitHub. Pick the repository you deploy today.
- 02
Rimbra detects the framework and fills in the install, build and start commands. Change them in Settings if yours differ.
- 03
Paste your .env into the project’s Variables. Every line becomes a variable.
- 04
Need a database? Create PostgreSQL, MySQL or Redis in the same workspace and connect it. DATABASE_URL is set for you. Import your data with pg_dump or mysqldump.
- 05
Check the live address at your-project.rimbra.live, then point your domain at Rimbra. HTTPS is issued automatically.
Questions
Is Rimbra a good Vercel alternative for Next.js?
Yes. Rimbra detects Next.js, builds it and runs the Next.js server, so server components, API routes and server actions work as they do with next start. Every push to GitHub redeploys with no downtime.
Can I keep my frontend on Vercel and use Rimbra for the rest?
Yes. Many teams run their API, database, email and WhatsApp on Rimbra and call them from a frontend hosted anywhere.
Does Rimbra have a free plan for commercial projects?
Yes. The Free plan has no non-commercial restriction and includes 4 projects, 1 database, 1,000 emails and 3,000 WhatsApp and social notifications a month.