Netlify vs Vercel:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Netlify had more branded searches than Vercel among developer hosting platforms in New Zealand. Netlify had about 5,590 branded searches, while Vercel had 4,510. Netlify made up 33.5% of all developer hosting platform searches we track, and Vercel accounted for 27%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about developer hosting platforms, Vercel appeared in all five answers and Netlify in one. Vercel was mentioned before Netlify in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Netlify, about 24% more searches than Vercel
Who does AI mention more?
Vercel, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Vercel, named ahead of Netlify in every answer
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Top developer hosting platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Vercel appeared in all five answers. Netlify was mentioned in one out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Vercel was listed before Netlify in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Vercel5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Render5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Railway3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Amazon Web Services2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Fly.io2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- Netlify1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Heroku1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about developer hosting platforms
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which developer hosting platform should I use in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best developer hosting platforms in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best developer hosting platform in New Zealand for a web app?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best app hosting platform”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“frontend hosting platform”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.
Is Netlify or Vercel more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Netlify and Vercel by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven developer hosting platforms we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Netlify, Vercel. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Amazon Web Services | Netlify | Vercel | Heroku | Railway | Fly.io | Render |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 77.6% | 7.8% | 12% | 1.7% | 0.32% | 0.4% | 0.2% |
| Nov 2025 | 56.9% | 16.9% | 21.5% | 2.8% | 0.6% | 0.86% | 0.35% |
| Dec 2025 | 49.4% | 18.3% | 27.3% | 3% | 0.99% | 0.66% | 0.33% |
| Jan 2026 | 48.6% | 18.5% | 28.2% | 2.5% | 1.2% | 0.66% | 0.28% |
| Feb 2026 | 42.5% | 20.7% | 31.2% | 3.4% | 1.5% | 0.59% | 0.25% |
| Mar 2026 | 38.3% | 22.8% | 34.4% | 2% | 1.4% | 0.74% | 0.25% |
| Apr 2026 | 32.4% | 28.8% | 35.2% | 1.7% | 1.1% | 0.64% | 0.19% |
| May 2026 | 30.1% | 32.9% | 32.7% | 1.7% | 1.7% | 0.77% | 0.3% |
| Jun 2026 | 27.9% | 38% | 31.1% | 1.3% | 0.79% | 0.62% | 0.28% |
| Jul 2026 | 30.1% | 33.7% | 33% | 1.4% | 0.96% | 0.54% | 0.24% |
| Aug 2026 | 34.2% | 31.5% | 31% | 1.5% | 0.95% | 0.67% | 0.17% |
| Sep 2026 | 36.8% | 33.5% | 27% | 1.3% | 0.84% | 0.36% | 0.24% |
How has the Netlify and Vercel comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands once in the 12 months ending September 2026: Netlify took it in May 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Netlify’s share of searches among developer hosting platforms in New Zealand moved from 7.8% to 33.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1.9K to 5.6K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Vercel’s share of searches among developer hosting platforms in New Zealand moved from 12% to 27%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 3K to 4.5K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand developer hosting platforms in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Netlify gained share of searches among developer hosting platforms in New Zealand, from 31.5% to 33.5%.
In September 2026, Vercel lost share of searches among developer hosting platforms in New Zealand, from 31% to 27%.
How are branded searches counted?
12 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Netlify’s and Vercel’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Other head-to-heads among developer hosting platforms
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