DigitalOcean App Platform 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 DigitalOcean App Platform and Heroku side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, DigitalOcean App Platform 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:
DigitalOcean App Platform
Build, deploy, and scale modern web applications and APIs without managing infrastructure.
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 | DigitalOcean App Platform | Heroku |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan, paid from $5/mo, billed monthly Paid Tier plan | From $5/mo, billed monthly Eco plan |
Category | Hosting & Deployment DevOps | Hosting & Deployment Cloud & Infrastructure |
Rating | 4.6/5 G2 4.6 755 reviews | 4.4/5 Capterra 4.6 · G2 4.2 453 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | No |
Watch out for | Data transfer overages | Postgres/Redis add-ons |
Choose DigitalOcean App Platform or Heroku?
Choose DigitalOcean App Platform if
- You want a free tier before you commit
- You want simplifies app deployment and scaling without infrastructure management
- You want cost-effective with a free tier and predictable pricing
Choose Heroku if
- You want easiest platform for deploying apps
- You want git-based deployment workflow
In-Depth Analysis
DigitalOcean App Platform
Build, deploy, and scale modern web applications and APIs without managing infrastructure.
DigitalOcean's App Platform offers a very generous Free Tier, especially for static sites, making it highly accessible.
Watch out
Data transfer overages
Strengths
- Pro: Simplifies app deployment and scaling without infrastructure management.
- Pro: Cost-effective with a free tier and predictable pricing.
- Pro: Integrated CI/CD accelerates feature delivery.
- Pro: Supports a wide range of programming languages and frameworks.
- Pro: Offers enterprise-grade features like dedicated IPs and microservices orchestration.
Weaknesses
- Con: Less control over underlying infrastructure compared to Droplets or Kubernetes.
- Con: Advanced features like dedicated CPU and horizontal scaling are in paid tiers.
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: DigitalOcean App Platform vs Heroku
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| DigitalOcean App Platform |
| digitalocean.com/products/app-platform read Oct 31, 2026 |
| Heroku |
| heroku.com/pricing read Oct 31, 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 DigitalOcean App Platform pricing and Heroku pricing.
Key Takeaways
DigitalOcean App Platform
- 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, DigitalOcean App Platform leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.6/5 from 755 reviews for DigitalOcean App Platform, 4.4/5 from 453 reviews for Heroku).
- Both start at the same entry price ($5/mo, billed monthly).
- Only DigitalOcean App Platform 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 DigitalOcean App Platform and Heroku compare in 2026?
On the data below, DigitalOcean App Platform leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.6/5 from 755 reviews for DigitalOcean App Platform, 4.4/5 from 453 reviews for Heroku). Both start at the same entry price ($5/mo, billed monthly). Only DigitalOcean App Platform has a free plan.
What are DigitalOcean App Platform and Heroku used for?
DigitalOcean App Platform: Build, deploy, and scale modern web applications and APIs without managing infrastructure. Heroku: The original easy deployment platform, now owned by Salesforce.
What does DigitalOcean App Platform cost vs Heroku?
DigitalOcean App Platform's cheapest paid plan is Paid Tier at $5/mo, billed monthly; it also has a free plan. Heroku's cheapest paid plan is Eco at $5/mo, billed monthly. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 31, 2026.
What's the main difference between DigitalOcean App Platform and Heroku?
DigitalOcean App Platform's main strength: simplifies app deployment and scaling without infrastructure management. Heroku's main strength: easiest platform for deploying apps.