Heroku vs Fly.io: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Heroku and Fly.io 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.
Bottom line: Fly.io wins this matchup. Our overall Hosting & Deployment pick is WordPress.com. Our free Hosting & Deployment pick is Podman. Pick Heroku if you need cloud & infrastructure.
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 easiest platform for deploying apps
- • You want git-based deployment workflow
Fly.io
Deploy apps close to users on edge infrastructure
Best for you if:
- • You want a free tier before you commit
- • You want run apps close to users globally
- • You want excellent for containerized apps
| At a Glance | Heroku | Fly.io |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $5/monthEco | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Cloud & Infrastructure | Hosting & Deployment |
Rating | 4.4/5 | - |
Free plan | No | Yes |
Choose Heroku or Fly.io?
Choose Heroku if
The original easy deployment platform, now owned by Salesforce
- You want easiest platform for deploying apps
- You want git-based deployment workflow
- Your work is cloud & infrastructure-shaped, not hosting & deployment-shaped
Choose Fly.io if
Deploy apps close to users on edge infrastructure
- You want a free tier before you commit
- You want run apps close to users globally
- You want excellent for containerized apps
- Budget matters (Free vs $5/month)
- Your work is hosting & deployment-shaped, not cloud & infrastructure-shaped
| Feature | Heroku | Fly.io |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★4.4/5 453 reviews | No ratings yet |
| Categories | Cloud & InfrastructureHosting & Deployment | Hosting & DeploymentCloud & Infrastructure |
In-Depth Analysis
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
- +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
- -Expensive at scale compared to alternatives
- -Limited customization options
- -Cold starts on lower tiers
- -Performance ceiling for high-traffic apps
Key features
Fly.io
Deploy apps close to users on edge infrastructure
Fly.io abandoned fixed plans in favor of pure pay-as-you-go, which is transparent but makes cost prediction harder.
Watch out
Bandwidth is not free and varies wildly by region: $0.02/GB in North America/Europe but $0.12/GB in Africa and India. An app serving 100GB/month to African users costs $12/month in bandwidth alone, 6x the North American rate
Strengths
- +Run apps close to users globally
- +Excellent for containerized apps
- +Free allowance included
- +Good CLI experience
- +Sqlite and Postgres hosting
Weaknesses
- -Learning curve for full features
- -Pricing model complex
- -Support can be slow
- -UI less polished
- -Debugging remote apps hard
Key features
Pricing: Heroku vs Fly.io
| Plan | Heroku | Fly.io |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $5 month Eco | Free Free |
| Tier 2 | $7 month per dyno Basic | $1.94 month Pay as you go |
| Tier 3 | $25 month per dyno Standard-1x | N/A |
| Tier 4 | $50 month per dyno Standard-2x | N/A |
| Tier 5 | $250 month per dyno Performance-M | N/A |
| Tier 6 | $500 month per dyno Performance-L | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Heroku pricing and Fly.io pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Fly.io has a free tier. Heroku is paid only.
Go with: Fly.io
Want the highest-rated option?
Heroku is rated 4.4/5. Fly.io has no ratings yet.
Go with: Heroku
Value user reviews?
Heroku: 453 reviews (4.4/5). Fly.io: no ratings yet.
Go with: Heroku
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Heroku is paid. Fly.io is freemium. Fly.io lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Heroku is a cloud & infrastructure tool. Fly.io is in hosting & deployment. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Heroku is rated 4.4/5; Fly.io has no ratings yet.
Key Takeaways
Fly.io
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Heroku
- Better fit for cloud & infrastructure
The Bottom Line
Fly.io wins this matchup. Our overall Hosting & Deployment pick is WordPress.com. Our free Hosting & Deployment pick is Podman.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Heroku or Fly.io better?
Fly.io is rated in our evaluation. Heroku is paid and Fly.io is freemium.
What are Heroku and Fly.io used for?
Heroku: The original easy deployment platform, now owned by Salesforce. Fly.io: Deploy apps close to users on edge infrastructure.
What does Heroku cost vs Fly.io?
Heroku is a paid tool. Fly.io is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.