Render vs Heroku: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Render 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:
Render
Cloud platform for developers
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.6/10 vs 8.0/10)
- • You want to try before committing
- • Cloud platform for developers
- • Deploy from Git in minutes
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 |  Render |  Heroku |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Paid |
Best For | Hosting & Deployment | Hosting & Deployment |
Rating | 86/100 | 80/100 |
| Feature | Render | Heroku |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| Editorial Score | 86 | 80 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Hosting & DeploymentCDN | Hosting & DeploymentContainer Orchestration |
How Render and Heroku Compare
Render
Cloud platform for developers
Free tier available · 86/100 score
Heroku
The original easy deployment platform, now owned by Salesforce
Paid · 80/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Render has a free tier. Heroku is paid only.
Go with: Render
Want the highest-rated option?
Render: 86/100. Heroku: 80/100.
Go with: Render
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Render
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Render is freemium. Heroku is paid. Render lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Both are hosting & deployment tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Render scores higher: 86/100 vs 80/100.
Key Takeaways
Render
- Higher score: 86/100 vs 80
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Heroku
The Bottom Line
Render (86/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Render or Heroku better?
Render scores 86/100 in our evaluation. Render is freemium and Heroku is paid.
What are Render and Heroku used for?
Render: Cloud platform for developers. Heroku: The original easy deployment platform, now owned by Salesforce.
What does Render cost vs Heroku?
Render is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Heroku is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.