AWS ECS vs Heroku: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between AWS ECS and Heroku comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
AWS ECS
Amazon's container orchestration service
Best for you if:
- • AWS native container orchestration
- • Serverless option with Fargate
Heroku
The original easy deployment platform, now owned by Salesforce
Best for you if:
- • Platform as a service that scales with you
- • Deploy apps with git push heroku main
| At a Glance |  AWS ECS |  Heroku |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Variable/moFargate | $5/monthEco |
Best For | Cloud & Infrastructure | Cloud & Infrastructure |
Rating | - | - |
Choose AWS ECS or Heroku?
Choose AWS ECS if
Amazon's container orchestration service
- Simple for AWS users
- No cluster management (Fargate)
- Deep AWS integration
Choose Heroku if
The original easy deployment platform, now owned by Salesforce
- Easiest platform for deploying apps
- Git-based deployment workflow
- Large add-on marketplace
| Feature | AWS ECS | Heroku |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| User Rating | ★4.6/5 7 reviews | ★4.6/5 326 reviews |
| Categories | Cloud & InfrastructureDevOps | Cloud & InfrastructureHosting & Deployment |
In-Depth Analysis
AWS ECS
Amazon's container orchestration service
Strengths
- +Simple for AWS users
- +No cluster management (Fargate)
- +Deep AWS integration
- +Cost-effective for AWS workloads
- +Less complex than EKS
Weaknesses
- -AWS lock-in
- -Less portable than Kubernetes
- -Limited to AWS
- -Fargate can be expensive
- -Fewer third-party tools
Key features
Heroku
The original easy deployment platform, now owned by Salesforce
Strengths
- +Easiest platform for deploying apps
- +Git-based deployment workflow
- +Large add-on marketplace
- +Great for prototypes and small projects
- +Managed Postgres included
Weaknesses
- -No more free tier (removed in 2022)
- -Expensive at scale compared to alternatives
- -Limited customization options
- -Cold starts on lower tiers
- -Performance ceiling for high-traffic apps
Key features
Pricing: AWS ECS vs Heroku
| Plan | AWS ECS | Heroku |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free ECS | $5 month Eco |
| Tier 2 | Variable Fargate | $7 month per dyno Basic |
| Tier 3 | Variable EC2 | $25 month per dyno Standard-1x |
| Tier 4 | N/A | $50 month per dyno Standard-2x |
| Tier 5 | N/A | $250 month per dyno Performance-M |
| Tier 6 | N/A | $500 month per dyno Performance-L |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on AWS ECS pricing and Heroku pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are paid. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Heroku
Want the highest-rated option?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: AWS ECS
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Heroku
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are paid. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Both are cloud & infrastructure tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Key Takeaways
Heroku
- Larger review base (326 reviews)
- Our pick for this comparison
AWS ECS
- Choose if you want amazon's container orchestration service
The Bottom Line
Heroku is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AWS ECS or Heroku better?
Heroku is rated in our evaluation. Both are paid.
What are AWS ECS and Heroku used for?
AWS ECS: Amazon's container orchestration service. Heroku: The original easy deployment platform, now owned by Salesforce.
What does AWS ECS cost vs Heroku?
AWS ECS is a paid tool. Heroku is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.