multicornLesson 1 of 6
Choosing a hosting platform
Compare Vercel, Netlify, and Fly.io and pick a path that matches what you built in Course 2.
By the end: You know which platform to use first, with Vercel as the default for a frontend app you built in Course 2.
You finished Course 2 with an app that runs on your computer. When you close the browser, it stops. When you close your laptop, it stops. Other people cannot see it.
A hosting platform is a company that runs your app on their computers so it is always on and anyone with the link can use it. They charge you (sometimes nothing, sometimes a little) and in return they handle the hard parts: keeping your app online, giving it a URL, and making sure the connection is secure.
Three platforms cover almost every app a person might build in Course 2. You do not need to compare every feature. You need to pick one and start.
Vercel is your platform
You are on the Vercel path. This is what Multicorn itself runs on.
Vercel is built for frontend web apps. If you built something with Next.js, React, Vite, or plain HTML in Course 2, Vercel will deploy it with almost no configuration. You connect your GitHub account, pick your project, and Vercel figures out the rest.
Why Vercel for you:
- It is free for personal projects and small apps. You only start paying if your app gets a lot of traffic or you need advanced features.
- Every time you push code to GitHub, Vercel rebuilds and redeploys automatically. You do not run any commands.
- HTTPS is on by default. You do not configure it.
- The dashboard is clean. You will not get lost.
What you get:
A public URL like your-app.vercel.app that works from any browser in the world. You can share it with anyone. You will connect a custom domain in Lesson 4.
What to expect in the next lessons:
Lesson 2 walks through the exact steps to deploy. Lesson 3 shows you where to put secrets (like API keys) so they do not end up in your code. Lesson 4 connects a domain you own. Lesson 5 is what to do when something breaks.
Curious about other platforms?
Curious about Vercel or Fly.io?
Vercel is the closest alternative to Netlify. Same general model (connect GitHub, auto-deploy, HTTPS included). It is what Multicorn itself runs on. If you ever want to try it, you can redeploy the same project on Vercel in under an hour.
Fly.io is a different kind of platform. It runs backend services that need to stay awake. If your next project is an API, a bot, or something that needs a database, Fly.io is the tool for that job. It is not a replacement for Netlify for frontend apps.
Curious about Vercel or Netlify?
Vercel and Netlify are both built for frontend web apps (Next.js, React, static sites). They deploy through a connected GitHub account and give you a URL without any server setup. If your next project is a frontend site rather than a running service, one of these is the right fit. Vercel is what Multicorn itself runs on.
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