DigitalOcean vs Heroku: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between DigitalOcean 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.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
DigitalOcean
Simple cloud infrastructure
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.5/10 vs 8.0/10)
- • Developer-friendly cloud infrastructure
- • Simpler than AWS with transparent pricing
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 |  DigitalOcean |  Heroku |
|---|---|---|
Price | Paid | Paid |
Best For | Hosting & Deployment | Hosting & Deployment |
Rating | 85/100 | 80/100 |
| Feature | DigitalOcean | Heroku |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| Editorial Score | 85 | 80 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Hosting & DeploymentContainer Orchestration | Hosting & DeploymentContainer Orchestration |
How DigitalOcean and Heroku Compare
DigitalOcean
Simple cloud infrastructure
Paid · 85/100 score
Heroku
The original easy deployment platform, now owned by Salesforce
Paid · 80/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are paid. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: DigitalOcean
Want the highest-rated option?
DigitalOcean: 85/100. Heroku: 80/100.
Go with: DigitalOcean
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: DigitalOcean
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 hosting & deployment tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
DigitalOcean scores higher: 85/100 vs 80/100.
Key Takeaways
DigitalOcean
- Higher score: 85/100 vs 80
- Our pick for this comparison
Heroku
The Bottom Line
DigitalOcean (85/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is DigitalOcean or Heroku better?
DigitalOcean scores 85/100 in our evaluation. Both are paid.
What are DigitalOcean and Heroku used for?
DigitalOcean: Simple cloud infrastructure. Heroku: The original easy deployment platform, now owned by Salesforce.
What does DigitalOcean cost vs Heroku?
DigitalOcean is a paid tool. Heroku is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.