Glitch vs. Begin
By SW Habitation
Glitch
Begin
You know when you’ve finished building your website and just want to get it online without dealing with all the techy stuff? That’s where deployment platforms help. They make it super easy to put your site live, just connect your code, click a button, and it’s up and running. No need to worry about servers or complicated setups.
They also take care of the important things like speed, security, and updates in the background. So while they handle the heavy stuff, you can focus on making your website look good and work great. It's simple, right?
What is Glitch?
Glitch is a cloud-based platform that allows developers, designers, and creators to build, share, and remix web applications instantly. It focuses on simplicity and collaboration — making it possible to prototype or deploy full-stack apps right from the browser, without complex setups. Think of it as a mix of a code editor, hosting service, and community all in one.
Key Features of Glitch
- Instant Deployment: Apps go live as soon as you start coding — no build steps needed.
- Browser-Based Editor: Code, preview, and debug directly in your browser.
- Remixable Projects: Copy and modify existing apps with one click.
- Collaboration Tools: Real-time collaboration, like Google Docs for coding.
- Full-Stack Support: Node.js-based backend and static frontend hosting.
- Custom Domains: Connect your own domain with free HTTPS.
- Community Showcase: Explore, share, and remix projects from other creators.
Advantages of Glitch
- Free to Start: Generous free tier for small apps and prototypes.
- Collaborative: Real-time pair programming and sharing features.
- Beginner-Friendly: Perfect for people learning web development.
- Instant Hosting: No deployment process — your app is live immediately.
- Creative Community: Large library of remixable apps and templates.
Disadvantages of Glitch
- Less Control: Infrastructure and environment are abstracted away.
- Not Enterprise-Ready: Best suited for learning, prototypes, and small projects.
- Scaling Limitations: Cannot handle very high traffic like AWS or DigitalOcean.
- Limited Language Support: Primarily focused on JavaScript/Node.js.
- Performance Limits: Free apps sleep after inactivity; limited resources.
What is Begin?
Begin is a serverless deployment platform that focuses on simplicity and speed. It’s built on top of Architect, a framework for building serverless applications on AWS. Begin abstracts away the complexities of AWS, letting developers focus on writing code and shipping features. It’s particularly popular for deploying JAMstack apps, APIs, and other serverless projects.
Key Features of Begin
- One-Click Deployments: Push to GitHub, and Begin takes care of the rest.
- Instant Rollbacks: Easily roll back to previous versions if needed.
- Fast and Lightweight: Minimal configuration required, optimized for quick deployments.
- Environment Management: Separate environments for development, staging, and production.
- Serverless by Design: Built on AWS Lambda, making scaling automatic.
- CI/CD Built-In: Every GitHub push triggers a deployment automatically.
Advantages of Begin
- Instant Rollbacks: Fix mistakes fast with one-click rollbacks.
- Environment Management: Separate dev, staging, and production environments keep things organized.
- Built-in CI/CD: No extra setup — every GitHub push deploys automatically.
- Serverless Scaling: No need to manage servers; Begin handles it with AWS Lambda.
- Super Simple Deployment: Push to GitHub, and your app goes live.
Disadvantages of Begin
- Less Flexibility for Large Apps: Great for small to medium projects, but large-scale apps might need more control.
- Small Community: Not as widely adopted as platforms like Vercel or Netlify, so finding resources and community support can be tricky.
- Tied to AWS: Under the hood, it uses AWS — so if you’re not a fan, this might not be for you.
- Limited Customization: Advanced users might feel restricted by the simplicity.
Comparison Between Glitch vs Begin
Use Cases of Glitch
- Hackathons & Demos: Fast way to share live projects.
- Creative Apps: Perfect for fun experiments and community-driven projects.
- Prototyping: Quickly test app ideas without setup.
- Collaborative Coding: Real-time coding with teammates.
- Learning Web Development: Great for beginners practicing JavaScript and Node.js.
Use Cases of Begin
- Continuous Deployment: Automatic deployments from GitHub keep your workflow smooth.
- Serverless Apps: Built-in support for AWS Lambda makes it a breeze for serverless backends.
- Quick Prototyping: Rapid deployments make it ideal for trying out new ideas or building MVPs.
- JAMstack Projects: Perfect for deploying static sites with dynamic content via APIs.
Conclusion
Deployment platforms are a total game changer if you’re looking to launch your website quickly, reliably, and without any trouble. Whether it’s a personal portfolio, a startup site, or a growing business platform, they handle the technical heavy lifting like hosting, security, and scalability so you can stay focused on building great experiences for your users.
You’re not boxed into a single approach. Most platforms integrate smoothly with the tools and frameworks you already love, letting you deploy directly from your Git repository, preview updates, and roll back with ease. With lightning-fast performance and dependable uptime, deployment platforms simplify the path from code to production. Pick the one that aligns with your workflow, and you’re all set to launch with confidence 🚀
Frequently asked questions
What is Glitch?
Glitch is a cloud-based platform where you can build, host, and share web applications easily without needing complex setup.
Is Glitch free to use?
Yes, Glitch offers a free plan with basic features. They also have paid plans for more storage, private projects, and advanced usage.
Do I need to install anything to use Glitch?
No, Glitch works directly in your browser. You don’t need to install software on your computer.
Does Glitch support custom domains?
Yes, with paid plans you can connect your own domain name to your Glitch app.
Is Begin good for teams?
Yes, Begin supports team workflows, environments (staging, production), and easy collaboration right out of the box.
Can I use custom domains with Begin?
Custom domains with SSL are built-in, no extra config needed.
Does Begin use AWS under the hood?
Yes, Begin runs on AWS Lambda, DynamoDB, and S3, but you don’t need to configure any of it manually.
What makes Begin unique?
Begin is all about developer speed. It abstracts away AWS complexity and gives you instant deploys, serverless functions, and data—all with a simple Git-based workflow.