Heroku vs Northflank: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Heroku and Northflank 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 7.3/10)
- • Platform as a service that scales with you
- • Deploy apps with git push heroku main
Northflank
Deploy any project in seconds, in our cloud or yours, with a comprehensive developer platform.
Best for you if:
- • You want to try before committing
- • Deploy and manage applications, databases, and AI workloads across any cloud.
- • Offers comprehensive CI/CD, autoscaling, and observability for a streamlined developer experience.
| At a Glance |  Heroku |  Northflank |
|---|---|---|
Price | Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Hosting & Deployment | Hosting & Deployment |
Rating | 80/100 | 73/100 |
| Feature | Heroku | Northflank |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 80 | 73 |
| 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 Northflank Compare
Heroku
The original easy deployment platform, now owned by Salesforce
Paid · 80/100 score
Northflank
Deploy any project in seconds, in our cloud or yours, with a comprehensive developer platform.
Free tier available · 73/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Northflank has a free tier. Heroku is paid only.
Go with: Northflank
Want the highest-rated option?
Heroku: 80/100. Northflank: 73/100.
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. Northflank is freemium. Northflank 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 73/100.
Key Takeaways
Heroku
- Higher score: 80/100 vs 73
- Our pick for this comparison
Northflank
- Has a free tier
The Bottom Line
Heroku (80/100) is our pick. Northflank has a free tier if you want to test without paying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Heroku or Northflank better?
Heroku scores 80/100 in our evaluation. Heroku is paid and Northflank is freemium.
What are Heroku and Northflank used for?
Heroku: The original easy deployment platform, now owned by Salesforce. Northflank: Deploy any project in seconds, in our cloud or yours, with a comprehensive developer platform..
What does Heroku cost vs Northflank?
Heroku is a paid tool. Northflank is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.