9live vs Vercel
Vercel is an excellent place to host frontends and Next.js sites. Its backend model is serverless functions with duration limits, no persistent processes, and databases from marketplace partners. 9live runs the parts that need a long-lived server: APIs, workers, scheduled jobs and databases. Many teams use both.
Side by side
| 9live | Vercel | |
|---|---|---|
| Execution model | Long-running processes | Serverless and edge functions with duration limits |
| WebSockets and queues | Supported as process types | Need external services |
| Databases | PostgreSQL, MongoDB and Redis included | Marketplace partners, billed separately |
| Pricing | Fixed monthly | Per seat, plus usage for compute and transfer |
| Background jobs | Workers and cron in the same environment | Cron triggers functions, with the same limits |
| Frontend delivery | Static asset caching from Mumbai | Global CDN and preview deployments |
| Region in India | Mumbai | Mumbai available for functions |
Competitor details are summarised from their public documentation and pricing pages as of October 2026. Plans and features change, so check their site for current details.
9live is likely the better fit if
- Your Next.js app is mostly server-side work against a database.
- You need WebSockets, long requests or background workers.
- Function and bandwidth usage make up most of your Vercel bill.
Vercel is likely the better fit if
- You're hosting a frontend, documentation or marketing site.
- You rely on preview deployments for every pull request.
- Your backend is small and fits within function limits.
Questions
Can a Next.js app run entirely on 9live?
Yes, as a standalone Node.js server. Server Components, Route Handlers, ISR and middleware all work. See the Next.js hosting page for details.
What's a common split between the two?
Marketing site and static frontend on Vercel, application and API on 9live next to the database.
Moving from Vercel
Migration is included with every plan. We replicate your application and data and switch over at a time you choose.