Features
- Git-based continuous deployment
- Serverless functions and edge functions
- Form handling and identity management built-in
- Split testing and branch-based deploys
Pros
- Pioneer in JAMstack deployment, mature platform
- Built-in forms, auth, and CMS features
- Generous free tier for personal projects
Cons
- Build times can be slow for large sites
- Serverless function execution limits
- Less framework-specific optimization than Vercel
Overview
Netlify is a web development platform that pioneered the JAMstack deployment model. It provides continuous deployment from Git, serverless functions, edge functions, and a suite of built-in services including form handling, identity/authentication, and a headless CMS.
Netlify’s approach focuses on composability: you can add features like forms, authentication, and A/B testing through configuration rather than code. This makes it particularly well-suited for content-heavy sites and marketing pages where non-developers need to manage deployments and features.
The platform supports all major frontend frameworks and static site generators, with automatic framework detection and optimized build pipelines.
When to Use
Choose Netlify for JAMstack sites, marketing pages, and projects that benefit from built-in form handling and identity features. It is a solid general-purpose deployment platform with excellent DX.
Getting Started
npm install -g netlify-cli
netlify init
netlify deploy --prod