IBM Cloud vs Heroku: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between IBM Cloud 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:
IBM Cloud
Enterprise cloud platform by IBM
Best for you if:
- • You want to try before committing
- • You need ci/cd features specifically
- • IBM Cloud is IBM's enterprise cloud platform with AI and hybrid cloud capabilities
- • It provides Watson AI, Red Hat OpenShift, and bare metal servers for enterprises
Heroku
The original easy deployment platform, now owned by Salesforce
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.0/10 vs 7.8/10)
- • You need hosting & deployment features specifically
- • Platform as a service that scales with you
- • Deploy apps with git push heroku main
| At a Glance |  IBM Cloud |  Heroku |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Paid |
Best For | CI/CD | Hosting & Deployment |
Rating | 78/100 | 80/100 |
| Feature | IBM Cloud | Heroku |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| Editorial Score | 78 | 80 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | CI/CDContainer Orchestration | Hosting & DeploymentContainer Orchestration |
How IBM Cloud and Heroku Compare
IBM Cloud
Enterprise cloud platform by IBM
Free tier available · 78/100 score
Heroku
The original easy deployment platform, now owned by Salesforce
Paid · 80/100 score
IBM Cloud is a ci/cd tool. Heroku is in hosting & deployment.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
IBM Cloud has a free tier. Heroku is paid only.
Go with: IBM Cloud
Want the highest-rated option?
IBM Cloud: 78/100. Heroku: 80/100.
Go with: Heroku
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Heroku
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
IBM Cloud is freemium. Heroku is paid. IBM Cloud lets you start free.
What's your use case?
IBM Cloud is a ci/cd tool. Heroku is in hosting & deployment. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Heroku scores higher: 80/100 vs 78/100.
Key Takeaways
Heroku
- Higher score: 80/100 vs 78
- Our pick for this comparison
IBM Cloud
- Has a free tier
- Better fit for ci/cd
The Bottom Line
Heroku (80/100) is our pick. IBM Cloud has a free tier if you want to test without paying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is IBM Cloud or Heroku better?
Heroku scores 80/100 in our evaluation. IBM Cloud is freemium and Heroku is paid.
What are IBM Cloud and Heroku used for?
IBM Cloud: Enterprise cloud platform by IBM. Heroku: The original easy deployment platform, now owned by Salesforce.
What does IBM Cloud cost vs Heroku?
IBM Cloud is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Heroku is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.