Hosting Static JavaScript Front-Ends: EC2 vs. S3, Netlify, and Vercel

When it comes to hosting static JavaScript-based front-end applications developed with popular frameworks like Angular, React, or Vue.js, developers face a crucial decision: should they opt for traditional virtual machines like Amazon EC2 or explore dedicated hosting services like Amazon S3, Netlify, or Vercel?

In this technical post, we will dive deep into the pros and cons of both approaches, considering critical factors like performance, infrastructure cost, security, scalability, and ease of use.

Performance

Amazon EC2

• Pros:

  • Full Control: EC2 instances provide complete control over the hosting environment, allowing fine-tuning for performance optimization.
  • Choice of Hardware: You can select instance types with varying CPU and memory configurations to match your application's requirements.
  • Custom Network Configuration: EC2 allows you to set up custom networking, including Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) configurations, for tailored performance.

• Cons:

  • Setup Overhead: Configuring and maintaining an EC2 instance requires significant setup and ongoing management efforts.
  • Scalability Challenges: Scaling horizontally with EC2 instances can be complex, and it may involve manual intervention.

S3, Netlify, and Vercel

• Pros:

  • Content Delivery Networks (CDNs): S3, Netlify, and Vercel automatically integrate with CDNs, ensuring low-latency content delivery worldwide.
  • Global Edge Servers: These services distribute your content across multiple edge servers, reducing the load on your application server and improving performance.
  • Caching: CDNs cache static assets, reducing the need for repeated server requests and enhancing load times.

• Cons:

  • Limited Customization: While CDNs offer excellent performance, they may limit customization options compared to EC2 instances.
  • Cost for Large Files: Hosting large files can incur additional costs due to data transfer and storage fees.

Infrastructure Cost

Amazon EC2

• Pros:

  • Pay-as-You-Go: EC2 instances allow flexible pricing based on actual resource usage, making it cost-effective for small to medium workloads.
  • Reserved Instances: You can save costs by purchasing reserved instances with upfront payments for long-term hosting.

• Cons:

  • Potential Overhead: Managing EC2 instances and related infrastructure may lead to hidden operational costs, especially for small teams with limited expertise.

S3, Netlify, and Vercel

• Pros:

  • Predictable Pricing: These hosting services offer transparent pricing with options for free or fixed-rate plans, simplifying cost management.
  • Automatic Scaling: The pay-as-you-go model ensures that you only pay for the resources you use, and there are no upfront commitments.

• Cons:

  • Additional Costs: While basic usage may be cost-effective, specific features or high traffic volumes can result in additional charges.

Example: Consider a small startup with a static front-end application. They initially host it on an EC2 instance and pay for a reserved instance. As their application gains traction, they realize they need more resources, leading to additional expenses. In contrast, if they had chosen a dedicated hosting service, they could have scaled automatically without incurring unexpected costs.

Security

Amazon EC2

• Pros:

  • Full Control: EC2 instances offer complete control over security configurations, allowing customization to meet specific compliance requirements.
  • Custom Firewall Rules: You can set up custom firewall rules using security groups and network ACLs to control inbound and outbound traffic.

• Cons:

  • Manual Maintenance: Security responsibilities, including patching and updates, fall on the server operator, potentially leading to security gaps if not managed diligently.

S3, Netlify, and Vercel

• Pros:

  • DDoS Mitigation: These hosting services often include DDoS protection by default, safeguarding against distributed denial-of-service attacks.
  • Security Best Practices: They follow industry security best practices, reducing the need for manual security configuration.

• Cons:

  • Limited Customization: While they offer robust security, customization options may be more limited compared to EC2 instances.

Example: Imagine a data-sensitive application. If hosted on an EC2 instance, the development team must manage and apply security patches regularly. Failure to do so may expose vulnerabilities. Alternatively, hosting on dedicated services like S3, Netlify, or Vercel reduces the operational burden, with security measures handled by experts.

Scalability

Amazon EC2

• Pros:

  • Custom Scaling: EC2 instances allow custom scaling configurations, making it suitable for applications with unique scaling needs.
  • Vertical Scaling: You can vertically scale EC2 instances to handle increased traffic by upgrading to larger instance types.

• Cons:

  • Manual Intervention: Scaling EC2 instances often requires manual intervention or the implementation of complex auto-scaling policies.

S3, Netlify, and Vercel

• Pros:

  • Automatic Scaling: Dedicated hosting services offer automatic horizontal scaling, seamlessly handling traffic spikes without user intervention.
  • Global Distribution: CDNs ensure your application can handle global traffic patterns, reducing the risk of performance bottlenecks.

• Cons:

  • Limited Customization: While automatic scaling is convenient, customization options may be more limited compared to EC2 instances.

Example: Consider a front-end for an e-commerce platform. During a flash sale event, the traffic surges unpredictably. Hosting on EC2 instances requires setting up complex auto-scaling policies to handle such traffic spikes effectively. In contrast, dedicated hosting services can automatically scale to meet the demand, providing a seamless shopping experience for users.

Ease of Use

Amazon EC2

• Pros:

  • Full Control: EC2 offers full control and flexibility, making it suitable for applications with specific requirements or complex architectures.
  • Choice of Operating System: You can select the desired operating system and configure it according to your needs.

• Cons:

  • Learning Curve: Operating EC2 instances requires a steeper learning curve, making it less beginner-friendly.

S3, Netlify, and Vercel

• Pros:

  • User-Friendly: These hosting services are designed for ease of use, with straightforward deployment processes and intuitive interfaces.
  • Continuous Deployment: Features like continuous deployment pipelines simplify the release process.

• Cons:

  • Limited Customization: While they are user-friendly, they may not offer as much customization as EC2 instances.

Example: Consider a small development team building a new web application. They opt for a dedicated hosting service, which allows them to quickly set up a continuous deployment pipeline, reducing deployment complexities. In contrast, managing EC2 instances would have required more time and expertise.

Conclusion

Choosing the right hosting solution for your static JavaScript-based front-end applications is crucial. Amazon EC2 provides flexibility and full