GitHub Pages vs Vercel
GitHub Pages vs Vercel compared for European indie developers and small startups. Pricing, EU jurisdiction, GDPR posture — and why Runsite (an EU-registered PaaS in Frankfurt) is worth a look.
// github pages problems → runsite solutions
Sound Familiar?
Every GitHub Pages frustration, solved.
GitHub Pages problem
"GitHub Pages can't run my API"
It serves static files only. No Node.js, no Python, no server-side code. You need a separate backend provider.
Runsite solution
Full-stack hosting, one platform
Deploy your frontend and backend together. Run any language in Docker containers with databases and storage.
GitHub Pages problem
"I can't use it for commercial projects"
GitHub Pages Terms of Service prohibit using it for online businesses, e-commerce, or SaaS.
Runsite solution
Built for production and SaaS
Runsite is designed for production workloads. Deploy commercial apps with full EU compliance.
GitHub Pages problem
"1GB size limit and 100GB bandwidth"
GitHub Pages limits repos to 1GB and bandwidth to 100GB/month. Growing projects hit these limits fast.
Runsite solution
No artificial limits
S3-compatible object storage for assets. Compute and bandwidth that scale with your needs.
// comparison
Runsite vs GitHub Pages
Side-by-side. No marketing fluff — just facts.
| Feature | Runsite | GitHub Pages |
|---|---|---|
| Backend/API Hosting | ✓ Full containers, any language | ✗ Static files only |
| Databases | ✓ Managed PostgreSQL from €5/mo | ✗ Not available |
| Docker Support | ✓ Any Dockerfile | ✗ Not supported |
| GDPR Compliance | ✓ EU entity | ✗ US company (Microsoft) |
| EU Data Centers | ✓ Frankfurt (eu-central) | ✗ Global CDN, no region control |
| Commercial Use | ✓ Allowed | ✗ Explicitly prohibited |
| Static Site Hosting | Via S3 + CDN | ✓ Free, simple |
| Price | Free tier + from €5/mo | ✓ Free (public repos) |
// the other side
What about Vercel?
Vercel is great for frontend. But if you need backend hosting in Europe with GDPR compliance, Runsite is the answer.
// vercel problems → runsite solutions
Sound Familiar?
Every Vercel frustration, solved.
Vercel problem
"Vercel is frontend-only"
Need to deploy a Python API or Go service? Vercel's serverless model doesn't support long-running backend processes.
Runsite solution
Full container hosting, any stack
Deploy Django, FastAPI, Express, Go, or Rust in persistent containers. No cold starts, no function timeouts.
Vercel problem
"Origin servers are in the US"
Vercel's edge caches content globally, but your serverless functions and data origin are US-based.
Runsite solution
EU-only infrastructure
Compute, storage, and databases all run in EU data centers. True data residency, not just edge caching.
Vercel problem
"Surprise bills from function invocations"
Serverless pricing is unpredictable. A traffic spike can lead to unexpected charges.
Runsite solution
Fixed pricing + hard spending caps
Predictable monthly bills. Set a cap, get alerts. No pay-per-request surprises.
// comparison
Runsite vs Vercel
Side-by-side. No marketing fluff — just facts.
| Feature | Runsite | Vercel |
|---|---|---|
| Backend Hosting | ✓ Full containers, any stack | Serverless functions only |
| EU Data Centers | ✓ Frankfurt (eu-central) | Edge only, origin = US |
| GDPR Compliance | ✓ EU entity, full compliance | ✗ US company |
| Managed PostgreSQL | ✓ From €5/mo | Via Vercel Postgres (Neon) |
| Docker Support | ✓ Any Dockerfile | ✗ Not supported |
| Spending Limits | ✓ Hard cap + alerts | Soft limits only |
| Frontend Hosting | Static files via S3 | ✓ Best-in-class CDN |
| Free Tier | ✓ Permanent | ✓ With limits |
// why consider runsite
Beyond GitHub Pages and Vercel
EU PaaS for indie developers and small European startups. One region: Frankfurt.
EU-First Infrastructure
While GitHub Pages and Vercel default to US markets, Runsite is built exclusively for European developers. Frankfurt (eu-central) region, EU entity, EU jurisdiction — no transatlantic transfers.
Real GDPR Compliance
EU-registered entity. Your data is governed by European law. No US jurisdiction, no CLOUD Act.
Predictable Pricing
No per-invocation charges, no surprise bills. Fixed plans with hard spending caps and Telegram alerts.
Common Questions
FAQ
Which is better for EU hosting, GitHub Pages or Vercel?
Neither GitHub Pages nor Vercel is EU-native. Both are US-headquartered and route the majority of traffic through US data centers. For genuine EU data residency, an EU-registered platform like Runsite is the safer choice — a Frankfurt (eu-central) region under EU jurisdiction, no transatlantic transfers, no CLOUD Act exposure.
Which has the better free tier, GitHub Pages or Vercel?
Free tiers on both GitHub Pages and Vercel change frequently and often include compute or bandwidth caps that expire after a trial period. If a permanent free tier matters, evaluate the current terms on each provider before committing.
Is GitHub Pages or Vercel GDPR-compliant?
Both can be configured to support GDPR-compliant workloads via Data Processing Agreements (DPAs), but as US entities they remain subject to the CLOUD Act. For workloads where US jurisdiction is a hard blocker, an EU-headquartered provider is required.
What is the cheapest way to deploy a side project — GitHub Pages or Vercel?
Pricing on both GitHub Pages and Vercel can scale unpredictably with traffic or build minutes. Hard spending caps are not available on either platform. Predictable monthly pricing with usage caps is a differentiator to look for elsewhere.
// explore alternatives
Try the European Alternative
Skip the GitHub Pages vs Vercel debate. Deploy on Runsite.
Start Free on Runsite →