gapp.so vs Netlify/Vercel: Which is Right for Your AI-Built App?

The Problem with Traditional Deployment

You just built something amazing with Cursor, Gemini, or Claude. It works on localhost, it's exactly what you envisioned, and you're ready to share it with the world. So you push to GitHub, connect to Vercel or Netlify, and... now what?

Your app is live at some-random-hash.vercel.app. No landing page. No discoverability. No way for people to understand what your app does before they try it. You share the link on Twitter and it gets a few clicks, then disappears into the void.

Sound familiar?

Platform vs. Tool: The Key Difference

The fundamental difference between gapp.so and Netlify/Vercel comes down to this:

• Netlify/Vercel = Deployment tools (infrastructure)
• gapp.so = Distribution platform (audience + infrastructure)

Netlify and Vercel are incredible at what they do: deploying web applications with zero configuration, automatic HTTPS, edge functions, and more. But they're tools for developers, not platforms for creators.

gapp.so is built from the ground up for people who vibe-code apps with AI and want them to actually get used.

Feature Comparison

When to Use Netlify/Vercel

Netlify and Vercel are excellent choices when:

• You're building a production SaaS with custom domains
• You need advanced backend features (serverless functions, edge middleware)
• You have your own marketing and distribution strategy
• You're building for a specific audience you already have
• You need team collaboration features and staging environments

When to Use gapp.so

gapp.so is the better choice when:

• You built something with AI and want people to discover it
• You want a professional landing page without building one
• You care about SEO and organic discovery
• You're experimenting and want quick feedback
• You want to be part of a community of AI-first creators
• You want to monetize without setting up payment infrastructure

The "Shareable MVP" Sweet Spot

There's a gap in the market that neither traditional deployment tools nor app stores fill well:

From demo to product, there's a missing middle.

• Localhost demo: Works, but only you can see it
• Vercel deployment: Live, but no context or discoverability
• Full SaaS: Requires marketing, landing pages, payment integration
• App Store: Requires native development, review process, 30% cut

gapp.so fills this gap. It's for apps that are more than demos but less than full products. Tools, utilities, games, experiments, creative projects—things that deserve to be shared and discovered.

Real Example: A Gemini-Built Tool

Let's say you built a "Color Palette Generator" with Gemini:

With Vercel:

1. Deploy to color-palette-generator-xyz.vercel.app
2. Share link on social media
3. A few people try it
4. Link gets lost in feeds
5. No organic traffic afterward

With gapp.so:

1. Submit to gapp.so/color-palette-gen
2. Automatic landing page with screenshots
3. Indexed by Google with proper SEO
4. Appears in gallery under "Design" category
5. Shows up in "Trending" when popular
6. New users discover it months later via search

The Bottom Line

Use Netlify/Vercel when you're building infrastructure—when you need the deployment layer and will handle everything else yourself.

Use gapp.so when you're building to share—when you want your creation to be discovered, used, and appreciated by people who don't already know you.

The best part? They're not mutually exclusive. Many creators use gapp.so for discovery and visibility while their "serious" projects live on Vercel. It's about using the right tool for the right job.

Ready to share your AI-built app with the world? Submit your app and get a landing page in seconds.