The Platform That Pioneered JAMstack
Founded in 2014, Netlify popularized the JAMstack architecture and many features now considered standard: instant deploys, deploy previews, serverless functions, and form handling. It transformed how developers build and deploy web projects.
What sets Netlify apart is its built-in features: forms that work without a backend, A/B split testing out of the box, and a rich plugin ecosystem. These features make it particularly strong for marketing sites and content-focused projects.
We consider Netlify for JAMstack projects using static site generators like Hugo, Gatsby, or 11ty - especially when built-in forms or split testing add value. For Next.js, we prefer Vercel. For pure static with lowest cost, we use Cloudflare.
Technical Specifications
Why Choose Netlify?
The features that make Netlify a strong choice for JAMstack sites and content-focused applications.
Built-in Forms
Handle form submissions without a backend. Just add the data-netlify attribute and forms work automatically.
Split Testing
A/B testing built into the platform. Test variations without additional tools or complex setup.
Plugin Ecosystem
Rich collection of build plugins that extend Netlify's functionality for caching, optimization, and integrations.
Git-Based Workflow
Automatic deploys from Git with preview deployments for every PR. Deploy previews are a core feature.
Netlify Identity
User authentication service built into the platform for adding auth to static sites without a backend.
Serverless Functions
Node.js, Go, and Rust functions with edge functions powered by Deno for global low-latency compute.
Key Netlify Features
The capabilities that power JAMstack applications on Netlify.
Deployment
- Deploy Previews
- Branch Deploys
- Instant Rollbacks
- Build Plugins
Functions
- Serverless Functions
- Edge Functions (Deno)
- Background Functions
- Scheduled Functions
Built-in Tools
- Forms
- Identity (Auth)
- Split Testing
- Large Media (Git LFS)
Analytics
- Site Analytics
- Serverless Logs
- Deploy Logs
- Build Analytics
Perfect For
- JAMstack websites and static site generators
- Marketing sites requiring built-in form handling
- Documentation sites and developer blogs
- Projects needing A/B testing built-in
- Gatsby, Hugo, Jekyll, and 11ty sites
- Sites requiring simple user authentication
Consider Alternatives When
- Next.js full features (Vercel provides better optimization)
- Complex backend compute requirements
- Database-heavy applications (external databases only)
- Projects where lower cost is priority (Cloudflare is cheaper)
When We Consider Netlify
Netlify is an excellent option for JAMstack projects, particularly when built-in forms or split testing add value to the project.
Form-Heavy Sites
When contact forms are central and no backend exists
A/B Testing Needs
Marketing sites requiring built-in split testing
Static Site Generators
Hugo, 11ty, Gatsby, and Jekyll projects
Plugin Requirements
When Netlify's plugin ecosystem provides value