Choosing the right cloud hosting provider is one of the most important decisions for businesses launching websites, SaaS products, or e-commerce platforms. In 2025, the top contenders are AWS, Vercel, and Azure — each offering unique strengths for different business needs.
AWS (Amazon Web Services)
- Pros: Huge ecosystem with 200+ services, extremely scalable, global data centres, strong security and compliance.
- Cons: Steeper learning curve, pricing can be complex without careful management.
- Best for: Businesses needing flexibility, scalability, and advanced cloud features.
Vercel
- Pros: Optimised for frontend frameworks like Next.js and React, simple deployment, automatic scaling, built-in caching.
- Cons: Limited backend support compared to AWS/Azure, pricing can rise for high-traffic apps.
- Best for: Modern websites, SaaS frontends, and businesses using Next.js.
Azure (Microsoft)
- Pros: Strong integration with Microsoft products, hybrid cloud options, reliable infrastructure, AI & machine learning integrations.
- Cons: Less beginner-friendly, pricing models can be confusing.
- Best for: Enterprises and businesses already using Microsoft ecosystems.
Comparison Table
| Feature | AWS | Vercel | Azure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | Moderate/Advanced | Very Easy | Moderate |
| Best For | Flexible & scalable apps | Frontend & serverless apps | Enterprise & hybrid setups |
| Cost | Pay-as-you-go, scalable | Free tier + usage-based | Tiered, enterprise-friendly |
| Ecosystem | Huge (200+ services) | Specialised for Next.js | Strong Microsoft ecosystem |
| Scalability | Enterprise-level | Auto-scaling | Enterprise-level |
Example for Melbourne Businesses
A SaaS startup may prefer Vercel for speed and simplicity with Next.js. A growing SME might choose AWS for scalable backend + AI integrations. A large corporation using Microsoft tools will likely lean toward Azure.
Final Thoughts
There’s no single “best” hosting provider — it depends on your business needs. Vercel is perfect for fast frontends, AWS for flexibility and innovation, and Azure for enterprises tied into Microsoft’s ecosystem. At Mizara Studio, we help businesses choose and set up the right cloud hosting solutions to balance performance, cost, and scalability.