Netlify vs Deno Deploy for Solo Developers

Quick Comparison

Netlify Overview

Netlify is the established leader for static site hosting. Git-based deploys, global CDN, preview URLs, built-in forms, serverless functions. The free tier handles most solo projects. The experience is polished and predictable. Push code, get a live site. The platform has been doing this for years and it shows.

I use Netlify for static sites because the overhead is essentially zero. Astro builds, React SPAs, plain HTML pages. They all deploy the same way and they all work reliably. The form handling feature alone has saved me from building a backend for simple contact pages multiple times.

Netlify's serverless functions work for basic API endpoints, but they're Node.js Lambda functions with cold starts. They're adequate for simple tasks but not competitive with edge runtimes for latency-sensitive applications.

Deno Deploy Overview

Deno Deploy is a serverless edge platform built around the Deno runtime. Your code runs on V8 isolates distributed across 35+ regions worldwide. There are no cold starts in the traditional sense because V8 isolates spin up in milliseconds. It's designed for TypeScript and JavaScript applications that need to respond fast from anywhere.

Deno Deploy works particularly well with the Fresh framework (Deno's web framework), but it can also deploy standard Deno applications and compatible npm packages. The platform includes a built-in KV store for data persistence and supports BroadcastChannel for real-time communication between isolates.

I tested Deno Deploy for an edge API and the cold start performance was noticeably better than Lambda-based functions. Requests consistently came back under 50ms from multiple regions. The deployment is straightforward too. Connect a GitHub repo, point it at your entry file, and it's live globally. The dashboard is minimal but functional.

Key Differences

Runtime environment. Netlify functions run on Node.js via AWS Lambda. Deno Deploy runs on the Deno runtime via V8 isolates. If your project uses Deno, Fresh, or benefits from the Deno ecosystem (built-in TypeScript, web standard APIs), Deno Deploy is the native platform. If your project uses Node.js, Netlify's functions are more compatible.

Edge vs CDN. Netlify serves static files from CDN edges and runs functions in one or two regions. Deno Deploy runs your code at the edge in 35+ regions. For static content, both are fast. For dynamic content (APIs, server-rendered pages), Deno Deploy's edge execution is significantly faster for users far from Netlify's function regions.

Static site handling. Netlify is built around static site hosting with rich features like form handling, redirects, split testing, and preview deploys. Deno Deploy can serve static files but it's not optimized for it. The features that make Netlify great for static sites don't exist on Deno Deploy.

Data persistence. Deno Deploy includes Deno KV, a built-in key-value database that works at the edge. Netlify has no built-in data layer. If you need lightweight data persistence without a separate database service, Deno Deploy's KV is a unique advantage.

Framework alignment. Netlify supports virtually any static site generator and has first-party support for Next.js, Astro, and others. Deno Deploy is optimized for Fresh and Deno applications. If you're in the Deno ecosystem, Deploy is the natural choice. For everything else, Netlify has broader compatibility.

Pricing structure. Netlify free gives you 100GB bandwidth and 300 build minutes. Deno Deploy free gives you 100K requests/day and 1GB outbound data. For static sites with moderate traffic, Netlify's free tier is more generous. For APIs with many small requests, Deno Deploy's free tier goes further.

When to Choose Netlify

• You're deploying a static site, blog, or frontend application
• You need built-in features like form handling and preview deploys
• Your project uses any framework other than Fresh or Deno-native tools
• Static content delivery with zero configuration is the priority
• You want the most mature and battle-tested static hosting platform

When to Choose Deno Deploy

• You're building with Deno, Fresh, or Deno-native libraries
• Your API needs edge performance with minimal cold starts
• Built-in KV storage replaces the need for an external database
• You want your server-side code running in 35+ global regions
• You're building a lightweight API or edge middleware

The Verdict

Netlify and Deno Deploy target different use cases despite both being serverless platforms. Netlify excels at static site hosting with a mature feature set. Deno Deploy excels at running JavaScript/TypeScript code at the edge with near-instant cold starts.

For static sites, Netlify wins clearly. Better features, broader framework support, and a more polished experience. Don't deploy a static site on Deno Deploy when Netlify handles it better.

For edge APIs and server-rendered applications, Deno Deploy offers performance that Netlify's Lambda-based functions can't match. If you're in the Deno ecosystem, the platform is a natural fit with built-in KV for persistence and global edge execution.

Most solo developers will get more use from Netlify since static sites and JAMstack apps are the common case. But if you're building an API-first product or working with Fresh, Deno Deploy deserves a serious look. The edge performance and built-in KV are genuinely compelling for the right project.