Railway vs Heroku: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Railway 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:
Railway
Instant deployment platform
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.5/10 vs 8.0/10)
- • You want to try before committing
- • Deploy apps with zero configuration
- • Instant databases and infrastructure
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 |  Railway |  Heroku |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Paid |
Best For | Hosting & Deployment | Hosting & Deployment |
Rating | 85/100 | 80/100 |
| Feature | Railway | Heroku |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| Editorial Score | 85 | 80 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Hosting & DeploymentCI/CD | Hosting & DeploymentContainer Orchestration |
How Railway and Heroku Compare
Railway
Instant deployment platform
Free tier available · 85/100 score
Heroku
The original easy deployment platform, now owned by Salesforce
Paid · 80/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Railway has a free tier. Heroku is paid only.
Go with: Railway
Want the highest-rated option?
Railway: 85/100. Heroku: 80/100.
Go with: Railway
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Railway
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Railway is freemium. Heroku is paid. Railway lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Both are hosting & deployment tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Railway scores higher: 85/100 vs 80/100.
Key Takeaways
Railway
- Higher score: 85/100 vs 80
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Heroku
The Bottom Line
Railway (85/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Railway or Heroku better?
Railway scores 85/100 in our evaluation. Railway is freemium and Heroku is paid.
What are Railway and Heroku used for?
Railway: Instant deployment platform. Heroku: The original easy deployment platform, now owned by Salesforce.
What does Railway cost vs Heroku?
Railway is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Heroku is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.