Backendless vs Heroku: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Backendless and Heroku side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Backendless leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Backendless
Backend as a service with visual app development
Best for you if:
- • You want a free tier before you commit
Heroku
The original easy deployment platform, now owned by Salesforce
Best for you if:
- • You want easiest platform for deploying apps
| At a Glance | Backendless | Heroku |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan | From $5/mo, billed monthly Eco plan |
Category | Low-Code Backend App Builders | Cloud & Infrastructure Hosting & Deployment |
Rating | 4.4/5 G2 4.4 56 reviews | 4.4/5 Capterra 4.6 · G2 4.2 453 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | No |
Watch out for | n/a | Postgres/Redis add-ons |
Choose Backendless or Heroku?
Choose Backendless if
- You want a free tier before you commit
- You want codeless backend
- You want visual development
- You work in low-code backend, not cloud & infrastructure
Choose Heroku if
- You want easiest platform for deploying apps
- You want git-based deployment workflow
- You work in cloud & infrastructure, not low-code backend
In-Depth Analysis
Backendless
Backend as a service with visual app development
The pricing structure is incredibly generous, offering both a fully functional free cloud tier and a self-hosted 'Pro' tier for $0.
Strengths
- Pro: Codeless backend
- Pro: Visual development
- Pro: Real-time database
- Pro: Good for prototypes
- Pro: Fair pricing
Weaknesses
- Con: Vendor lock-in
- Con: Learning curve
- Con: Limited customization
- Con: Performance varies
- Con: Documentation gaps
Key features
Heroku
The original easy deployment platform, now owned by Salesforce
Heroku is more expensive than alternatives but offers unmatched DX.
Watch out
Postgres/Redis add-ons
Strengths
- Pro: Easiest platform for deploying apps
- Pro: Git-based deployment workflow
- Pro: Large add-on marketplace
- Pro: Great for prototypes and small projects
- Pro: Managed Postgres included
Weaknesses
- Con: No more free tier
- Con: Expensive at scale compared to alternatives
- Con: Limited customization options
- Con: Cold starts on lower tiers
- Con: Performance ceiling for high-traffic apps
Key features
Plans and prices: Backendless vs Heroku
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Backendless |
| backendless.com/pricingread Sep 28, 2026 |
| Heroku |
| heroku.com/pricingread Oct 4, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Backendless pricing and Heroku pricing.
Key Takeaways
Backendless
- Has a free plan
Heroku
- Choose if you want the original easy deployment platform, now owned by Salesforce
What the data shows
On the data below, Backendless leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.4/5 from 56 reviews for Backendless, 4.4/5 from 453 reviews for Heroku).
- Heroku starts at $5/mo, billed monthly; Backendless has no public paid plan price on file.
- Only Backendless has a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Backendless and Heroku compare in 2026?
On the data below, Backendless leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.4/5 from 56 reviews for Backendless, 4.4/5 from 453 reviews for Heroku). Heroku starts at $5/mo, billed monthly; Backendless has no public paid plan price on file. Only Backendless has a free plan.
What are Backendless and Heroku used for?
Backendless: Backend as a service with visual app development. Heroku: The original easy deployment platform, now owned by Salesforce.
What does Backendless cost vs Heroku?
Backendless has no public paid-plan price on file. Heroku's cheapest paid plan is Eco at $5/mo, billed monthly. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 4, 2026.
What's the main difference between Backendless and Heroku?
Backendless's main strength: codeless backend. Heroku's main strength: easiest platform for deploying apps.