Do you want to migrate Vercel, Heroku or Netlify to Coolify?
WZ-IT moves the application, build, data, domains and deployment process to the new target environment in a controlled process.
The Next.js migration guide covers variable export, Dockerfile, data transfer and cutover.
Imagine a blend of Git-based deployment, automated infrastructure management, and a clean dashboard—combined with the freedom to keep your data on your own servers. That's exactly what Coolify offers. Whether it's an old laptop, a Raspberry Pi, or a Hetzner server: as soon as SSH access is possible, the machine can become a PaaS resource with a single click.
Coolify can also serve as a self-hosted alternative to platforms like Heroku, Netlify, or Vercel. It's an open-source solution that lets companies run web apps, databases, and services on their own infrastructure—without relying on third-party providers.
Table of Contents
- Hands-on: Deploy a Next.js App in Four Steps
- Advantages over "classic" cloud PaaS providers
- Conclusion
Hands-on: Deploy a Next.js App in Four Steps
Rather than listing features, let’s dive straight into practice—because that’s where Coolify truly shines. For this demo we’ll deploy a simple Next.js app stored in a GitHub repository, a typical modern web app you can get online quickly with Coolify.
1. Set up Coolify
Install Coolify on a server. Coolify provides a one-liner installer: https://coolify.io/docs/start-with-self-hosted. Coolify v4 became stable with v4.0.0 on 27 April 2026; as of October 2026, v4.4.6 is current.
2. Create a project & add a resource
Under “Projects” we create a new project.
Inside the project, add a new Private Repository resource. Connect GitHub via the guided setup and pick your repository.
The build pack automatically builds the app: it installs dependencies and wraps everything in a Docker container. Our screenshots still show Nixpacks; Coolify now marks Nixpacks as deprecated and recommends its successor Railpack for new and existing applications (deprecation notice in the Coolify source). Click Continue.
3. Assign a domain
By default, your app gets an sslip.io domain pointing to the Coolify server’s IP. To use your own domain, enter it in the field provided. If the DNS is configured correctly, Coolify will secure it with a free Let’s Encrypt SSL certificate on the next deployment.
After adding the domain, click Deploy—Coolify handles the rest. In the Deployments tab you can follow the progress: Coolify builds the app, starts the container, and configures the domain.
4. Open your app
Once deployment is done, you can access your app via the assigned domain. Coolify keeps the app up to date and automatically rebuilds and redeploys whenever changes land in the repository. In our example we’re using the sslip.io domain pointing to the Coolify server’s IP.
Tip: One-click installers are available for databases or services like PostgreSQL, Redis, or Plausible Analytics—fully dockerized and ready to use.
Advantages over “classic” cloud PaaS providers
- Cost control: You only pay your server bill—no surprises from traffic or build-minute overages.
- Data sovereignty: All settings and data stay on your hardware.
- Extensibility: Custom Docker images, Dockerfiles and Docker Compose stacks can be deployed directly. Coolify does not support Kubernetes; Docker Swarm is marked as deprecated and is to be replaced in Coolify v5 by native Docker Compose replicas and Coolify's own scaling solution (deprecation notices).
Conclusion
Coolify combines the convenience of a modern PaaS with the freedom of self-hosting. Whether it's a hobby project or an enterprise SaaS, you can run apps, databases, and services securely, transparently, and cost-effectively on your own infrastructure in just a few clicks.
Need to replace an existing platform rather than start from scratch? Our PaaS and cloud-exit migration covers the move from Vercel, Railway, Render, Fly.io, Heroku or Netlify including rehearsal and cutover.
The two source-specific commercial paths are Vercel migration and Heroku migration. Where the target architecture remains open, start with the PaaS Exit Review.
Curious? Let’s find out in a free call how Coolify can simplify your deployments.
You find more information about Coolify on the official website.
The guide Migrate Heroku to Coolify covers Postgres, dynos, add-ons and cutover.
For Netlify functions, forms and privacy considerations, see migrate Netlify to Coolify.
