I'm a beginner developer hoping to start my freelancing journey, and I recently got asked by a friend who owns a small business to create an internal web app for him and a few of his employees. This won't be a public application; it's just for internal use. Typically, I deploy my personal projects, especially using Next.js, on Vercel's free tier along with a free cloud database. I'm curious if this same approach is okay for a client project like this. Also, since the app will be handling some personal data, I'm a bit worried about security. Is my usual setup sufficient for a real client, or should I implement additional security measures? I would really appreciate any insights or suggestions!
5 Answers
While you can technically use Vercel's free tier for client projects, it's largely meant for personal use. Since you'll be dealing with personal data, it’s best to consider a Pro plan in your freelance pricing to ensure compliance. Plus, using an authentication provider like Clerk or NextAuth and implementing Row Level Security will be crucial for keeping that data safe.
Absolutely, deploying for free is manageable. However, as others suggest, considering the lowest paid tier—around $20/month—can offer valuable benefits. For the database, we’ve had success with Convex, which has a generous free tier worth trying out.
You can definitely use the free tier to deploy it, but given that this is for a client and it will handle personal data, I'd recommend stronger security measures and possibly a paid database. Make sure to check Vercel's terms for any restrictions regarding commercial use on their free plan!
Yes, you can deploy a small internal Next.js app on Vercel's free tier, especially for low-traffic use or prototypes. Just keep in mind some drawbacks. For anything business-critical or sensitive, transitioning to a paid plan or using a small managed VM is better. Also, ensure proper authentication, HTTPS, and that DB credentials are secure and not exposed to clients.
For an internal app, the free tier works well. Services like Vercel, Netlify, and even Render (which starts at $1) are great for hosting. For your database, since you're managing personal info, it’s wise to invest a little in a reliable service. DynamoDB is a solid choice, and if cost is a concern, look into Supabase.

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