Heroku vs Begin: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Heroku and Begin 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:
Heroku
The original easy deployment platform, now owned by Salesforce
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.0/10 vs 7.6/10)
- • Platform as a service that scales with you
- • Deploy apps with git push heroku main
Begin
Deploy serverless apps instantly with minimal config
Best for you if:
- • You want to try before committing
- • Begin is a platform for building and deploying cloud functions and APIs
- • It simplifies serverless development with a focus on developer experience
| At a Glance |  Heroku |  Begin |
|---|---|---|
Price | Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Hosting & Deployment | Hosting & Deployment |
Rating | 80/100 | 76/100 |
| Feature | Heroku | Begin |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 80 | 76 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Hosting & DeploymentContainer Orchestration | Hosting & DeploymentCI/CD |
How Heroku and Begin Compare
Heroku
The original easy deployment platform, now owned by Salesforce
Paid · 80/100 score
Begin
Deploy serverless apps instantly with minimal config
Free tier available · 76/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Begin has a free tier. Heroku is paid only.
Go with: Begin
Want the highest-rated option?
Heroku: 80/100. Begin: 76/100.
Go with: Heroku
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Heroku
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Heroku is paid. Begin is freemium. Begin lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Both are hosting & deployment tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Heroku scores higher: 80/100 vs 76/100.
Key Takeaways
Heroku
- Higher score: 80/100 vs 76
- Our pick for this comparison
Begin
- Has a free tier
The Bottom Line
Heroku (80/100) is our pick. Begin has a free tier if you want to test without paying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Heroku or Begin better?
Heroku scores 80/100 in our evaluation. Heroku is paid and Begin is freemium.
What are Heroku and Begin used for?
Heroku: The original easy deployment platform, now owned by Salesforce. Begin: Deploy serverless apps instantly with minimal config.
What does Heroku cost vs Begin?
Heroku is a paid tool. Begin is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.