Comparisons

DenkOps vs Vercel.

Vercel is the best place to ship a Next.js frontend: great DX, preview deploys, a global CDN. It's not built for a long-running agent backend, though, that's a function-shaped platform with invocation billing and duration limits. DenkOps is the opposite shape: an always-on slot for the backend behind the frontend.

Start on DenkOps →
01 · The spec, side by side

Read the table.
Then pick.

SpecDenkOpsVercel Functions
Max run timeUnlimitedSeconds to a few minutes per invocation
Persistent diskDurable /persist on every slotNone (stateless functions)
Cold startNone (always-on slot)Present on cold invocations
Egress defaultBlocked by default, whitelist to allowOpen by default
Pricing modelFlat per slot, no invocation billingPer invocation + GB-hours
Agent / MCP focusMCP-first, deploy from Claude CodeGeneral-purpose function runtime
EU hostingEU regionsEU edge regions available
Frontend DX & CDNNot a frontend hostBest-in-class Next.js DX, preview deploys, global CDN

That last row is the honest core of it: for a Next.js frontend with preview deploys and a global CDN, Vercel is genuinely better than DenkOps, and DenkOps isn't trying to compete there.

02 · Honest fit

Different jobs,
often used together.

When DenkOps is the right choice
  • → You're running an AI agent loop, MCP server, or long-lived backend process
  • → Invocation billing is punishing you for streaming or long-held connections
  • → You need state to persist locally between requests without wiring up external storage
  • → You want one flat number on the invoice instead of per-invocation math
When Vercel is the right choice
  • → You're shipping a Next.js (or other framework) frontend and want the best DX for it
  • → You want automatic preview deploys on every pull request
  • → Your workload is genuinely request/response shaped and short-lived
  • → You want a global CDN for static assets and edge rendering
03 · FAQ

Questions people
actually ask.

Is DenkOps a good Vercel alternative?

For long-running backends and AI agents, yes. For a Next.js frontend, Vercel remains the stronger, more purpose-built choice, DenkOps isn't trying to replace it there.

Can I run a long AI agent on Vercel functions?

Vercel functions have a bounded maximum duration per invocation, which is awkward for an agent loop or anything holding state between calls. DenkOps slots have no request timeout and a durable disk, which fits that shape better.

Does DenkOps replace Vercel for a Next.js app?

Not really. Vercel's frontend DX, preview deploys and global CDN are a better fit for the frontend. Many teams use Vercel for the frontend and DenkOps for the long-running API, worker or agent behind it.

Why use DenkOps instead of Vercel functions for an agent backend?

Vercel functions bill per invocation and cap execution time. DenkOps slots have no invocation billing, no cold start, unlimited run time and a durable /persist disk, a better fit for agent backends, while Vercel stays the better fit for the frontend.

04 · Next step

Try it on your own service.

Push what you already have and see how it runs on an always-on slot with a durable disk and zero-trust egress. If you're deploying an API or backend rather than an agent, start with API & backend hosting. Deploying an agent or MCP server instead? See deploy AI agents on DenkOps.

Start on DenkOps →
# any language, any framework
$ ls
main.py requirements.txt
 
› deploy on DenkOps
→ live at https://my-service.denkops.app
slot: always-on · /persist mounted · egress: blocked by default