Vercel Alternative for India: Node.js and Full-Stack Hosting
Sagar Tayde · · 4 min read
A Vercel alternative is not a like-for-like swap. Vercel is built around the frontend and serverless functions; Voroa runs your Node.js app as a long-running web service, next to its database and workers. This post is for Indian developers with a Next.js, Express or full-stack app who want to know where each part of their stack fits best. Every Vercel fact here comes from Vercel’s own docs.
Where a Node.js Backend Fits on Vercel
On Vercel, backend code runs as functions. Vercel has a Mumbai region (bom1) among 19 compute regions,
but the Vercel regions page says functions run in iad1 (Washington,
D.C.) unless you change the region. If your API talks to a database in India, change that setting first.
The free Hobby plan limits include 4 CPU-hours of Active CPU and 1,000,000 function invocations. If you exceed them, you wait until 30 days have passed.
A Long-Running Node.js Service on Voroa
On Voroa, a Node.js app is a process that keeps running: you connect a GitHub repository, set a start
script, and Voroa builds and runs it in Mumbai. Voroa sets PORT, so a server that reads
process.env.PORT works as it is. The Node.js deploy guide covers the build and
start settings, and a Voroa web service page lists what each size includes.
Preview Deployments and the Push-to-Deploy Loop
Vercel’s Git documentation says it deploys automatically on every branch push and on merges to the production branch, from GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket or Azure DevOps, and every push gets a preview deployment. For reviewing frontend changes, this is Vercel’s strongest point.
Voroa deploys from GitHub. With auto-deploy on, each push to the branch becomes a new release, the new release starts before the old one stops, and you can roll back in one click.
The Hobby Plan’s Non-Commercial Rule
Vercel Hobby “restricts users to non-commercial, personal use only”. It also allows 100 GB Fast Data Transfer and 100 deployments per day, and it cannot deploy from a private repository owned by a GitHub organization.
Voroa’s free Nano size is Rs 0 with 512 MB and 0.1 vCPU shared, up to 4 services per workspace, 5 GB bandwidth and 500 build minutes, subject to free capacity. See what the free tier includes.
Vercel Pro Seats and GST vs a Rupee Invoice
Vercel Pro is $20/month, and developer seats are $20 per user per month. Our Vercel pricing guide works three bills through to rupees. Vercel’s tax page says prices are in USD and exclude GST, and that it began collecting VAT, GST or equivalent from international customers on 1 April 2026. It does not mention a GSTIN field or rupee invoices. For the tax side of a foreign bill, read reverse charge on foreign hosting.
Voroa bills in rupees with a GST invoice, and paid web sizes start at Rs 298/month plus GST.
Databases: Marketplace Integrations vs Postgres in Mumbai
Vercel’s plan comparison lists Blob under storage. For Postgres or Redis, its pricing page points to Marketplace Integrations. On Voroa, a managed PostgreSQL database, a key-value store, background workers and static sites live in one workspace with your API.
Vercel vs Voroa for a Next.js or Express App
| Vercel | Voroa | |
|---|---|---|
| Backend model | Functions | Long-running web service |
| Deploy on push | Yes, with a preview per push | Yes, when auto-deploy is on |
| India region | Mumbai; functions default to Washington, D.C. | Mumbai, default and only |
| Free plan | Hobby, non-commercial only | Nano size, subject to free capacity |
| Entry paid | Pro $20/month plus $20 per seat | Rs 298/month plus GST per service |
| Billing | USD, GST added from April 2026 | INR with a GST invoice |
| Postgres | Marketplace Integrations | First-party, managed |
Vercel prices were taken from its pricing pages on 2026-09-30. Check again before you decide.
Splitting the Stack: Frontend on Vercel, Backend in Mumbai
You do not have to pick one. Vercel wins for a frontend-heavy app, preview deployments and a global audience. Voroa wins for the parts that must run all the time near Indian users: the API, the worker and the database. Many teams keep the frontend on Vercel and point it at an API on Voroa. Still choosing the frontend host? Read Netlify vs Vercel for Indian teams.
Moving a Next.js App to a Vercel Alternative
- Check that the app runs with
next buildandnext start. The Next.js guide lists the settings. - Connect the repository to a new web service.
- Copy the environment variables from Vercel.
- Test on the Voroa URL, then move the domain.
Our Next.js hosting guide for India goes deeper, and our Render alternative guide compares another backend platform.
FAQ
Can I use Vercel’s free plan for a business?
Vercel’s Hobby page says the plan is for non-commercial, personal use only. Its paid entry plan is Pro, at $20/month plus $20 per developer seat.
Does Vercel have servers in India?
Yes, Mumbai (bom1). Functions default to Washington, D.C., so change the function region yourself.
Can a WebSocket server run on Voroa?
Yes. Voroa services support WebSockets and Socket.IO over secure wss://, because a
web service is a long-running process rather than a function.
Host Your Node.js API Next to Your Users
Run your API, workers and database in Mumbai on one rupee bill with a GST invoice. Start free, then see sizes on the Voroa pricing page.
Updated November 14, 2026