Choose managed hosting when rapid delivery and low operational burden are more valuable than infrastructure control. Choose self-hosting when provider ownership, portability, data location, or fixed resources justify running the platform around Next.js.
Compare responsibility
Managed platforms usually handle runtime integration, certificates, deployment infrastructure, and scaling primitives. Self-hosting requires a reverse proxy, supervised processes or containers, patching, monitoring, backups, and tested recovery. Automation reduces that work but does not transfer accountability.
Compare scaling and caching
A single persistent Next.js server has a straightforward local cache. Multiple instances require consistent builds, encryption keys, deployment identifiers, shared caching, and coordinated invalidation. Managed platforms may provide these capabilities as part of their service; self-hosted teams must design and test them.
Choose for the next constraint
Do not migrate solely because one invoice increased or self-host solely because a small VPS looks inexpensive. Model the workload, required availability, engineering time, exit path, and provider constraints. Prefer the simpler model until a real requirement makes its tradeoff worthwhile.