GitHub Pages vs Vercel: My Experience Hosting Websites
GitHub Pages Vercel Hosting DeploymentWhen I started publishing my projects online, I explored different hosting options. Two platforms that became useful for me were GitHub Pages and Vercel. Both are popular, both are useful, but they are not exactly the same.
GitHub Pages is simple and works well for static websites. Vercel is more powerful for modern frontend frameworks, automatic deployments, preview builds, and custom domain management. After using both, I understood where each platform fits better.
Why Hosting Choice Matters
A project is not complete until people can open it online. Hosting is the step that makes a project public. For a student, developer, or freelancer, hosting choice affects speed, setup time, domain connection, updates, and long-term maintenance.
A good hosting platform should make deployment simple. It should also make updates easy because websites are rarely finished in one attempt. We keep changing content, fixing bugs, adding pages, and improving SEO.
What I Used GitHub Pages For
I used GitHub Pages for portfolio-style websites and static content. It works well when the project is mostly HTML, CSS, JavaScript, or a static build generated from tools like Vite.
For example, if my project has a public folder, static HTML pages, sitemap, robots.txt, and simple blog pages,
GitHub Pages can serve them properly after build.
GitHub Pages is good for:
- Personal portfolio websites
- Static HTML pages
- Documentation pages
- Simple project landing pages
- Student projects
- Basic blogs without backend
What I Used Vercel For
Vercel felt more comfortable for modern frontend projects and domain management. It connects with GitHub repositories, deploys automatically after push, and provides a clean dashboard for domains.
I also used Vercel DNS for domain-related work. One important thing I learned was that DNS records should be added where the active nameservers are managed. If a domain is using Vercel nameservers, then DNS records like TXT verification records should be added inside Vercel.
Vercel is good for:
- Next.js projects
- React frontend projects
- Automatic deployments from GitHub
- Preview deployments
- Custom domain setup
- Projects that may grow later
Simple Comparison
| Point | GitHub Pages | Vercel |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Static websites and portfolios | Modern frontend apps and Next.js projects |
| Setup | Simple for static websites | Simple with GitHub integration |
| Custom domain | Supported | Very smooth dashboard experience |
| Backend support | Not suitable for backend apps | Better for modern app workflows |
| Preview deployments | Not the main focus | Very useful for testing changes |
| My use case | Portfolio and static blog pages | Domain, frontend deployment, and project hosting |
Where GitHub Pages Is Better
GitHub Pages is very useful when the website is simple and static. If the goal is to publish a portfolio, project page, or documentation website, it can be enough.
The biggest advantage is simplicity. The code is already on GitHub, and the website can be published from the repository. For a student or beginner, this is a good starting point.
I also like that static files such as sitemap.xml, robots.txt, and HTML blog pages can be managed
directly in the repository.
Where Vercel Is Better
Vercel feels better when the project is a modern web app or when I want an easier deployment workflow. It is especially useful for Next.js and React projects.
The dashboard makes it easier to connect domains and manage DNS. Preview deployments are also useful because changes can be tested before final production usage.
If a project is expected to grow, Vercel can feel more flexible than a basic static hosting setup.
My Practical Learning About DNS
One of the biggest practical learnings was about nameservers. Buying a domain from one company does not always mean DNS is managed there. If the nameservers point to Vercel, then DNS records must be added in Vercel.
This became important when verifying a domain in Google Search Console. Google gave a TXT record, and the correct place to add that record was the active DNS provider.
Which One Should a Beginner Use?
If someone is building a simple HTML, CSS, JavaScript, or static portfolio website, GitHub Pages is a good choice. It is simple, direct, and connected with GitHub.
If someone is building a Next.js app, React project, or wants smoother deployments and previews, Vercel is a better choice.
My simple suggestion is:
- Use GitHub Pages for simple static portfolio and documentation websites.
- Use Vercel for modern frontend apps and projects that may grow.
- Use a VPS or cloud server when the project needs backend, database, custom server setup, or full control.
What I Learned
Hosting taught me that deployment is part of development. A project that only works locally is not enough. The real value comes when users can open it online through a proper domain.
I also learned that there is no single best platform for every project. The best choice depends on the project type, technical requirement, and future plan.
Conclusion
GitHub Pages and Vercel are both useful, but they solve slightly different problems. GitHub Pages is great for static websites, while Vercel is better for modern frontend projects and smooth deployment workflows.
In my own work, I use the platform based on the project requirement. For simple static pages, GitHub Pages is enough. For modern apps and domain-friendly workflows, Vercel feels better.