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Heroku vs Vercel
Vercel specializes in frontend and serverless functions, while Heroku offers full-stack containers and managed data services.
Which to pick
Pick Heroku if you want…
- Managed containers and data services for web apps
- The lower starting price: $5/month against $20/month
- Integrations with Git, Docker or Node.js (on Heroku's list, not Vercel's)
Pick Vercel if you want…
- Full-stack frontend hosting with serverless functions
- Frontend-centric serverless deployments
- A free plan to start with (Hobby)
- Integrations with GitLab, Bitbucket or Google (on Vercel's list, not Heroku's)
Side by side
- What it is
- Heroku:Heroku is a fully managed PaaS that lets developers build, deploy, and scale apps using git, containers, and managed data services.
- Vercel:Vercel is a cloud platform for building, deploying and scaling frontend web apps and AI agents.
- Best for
- Heroku:Managed containers and data services for web apps
- Vercel:Full-stack frontend hosting with serverless functions
- Who it’s for
- Heroku:Developers, teams, startups and enterprises needing simple app hosting
- Vercel:Frontend developers, teams building web apps or AI-enabled services.
- Pricing
- Heroku:Paid
- Vercel:Freemium
- Plans
- Heroku:Eco $5 per month · Basic $7 per month · Standard-1X $25 per month · Performance-M $250 per month · Private-S $125 per month
- Vercel:Hobby $0/mo. · Pro $20/mo. per month
- Works with
- Heroku:Git, GitHub, Docker, Node.js, Ruby, Java, PHP, Python
- Vercel:GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, Google, Vercel CLI
Heroku features
- Dyno containers. Runs apps in smart, isolated containers with automatic scaling and patching.
- Heroku Postgres. Fully managed PostgreSQL database service optimized for developers.
- Heroku Redis. Managed key-value store with a developer-friendly experience.
- GitHub Integration. Creates disposable Review Apps for pull requests and auto-deploys on push.
- Add-ons & Buildpacks. Extend apps with 150+ third-party add-ons and community buildpacks.
- Security & Compliance. Provides PCI, HIPAA, ISO, SOC compliance and optional Shield environments.
Vercel features
- Global Delivery. Ultra-fast, secure CDN with automatic routing and TLS encryption.
- Serverless Functions. Dynamic, scalable functions with fluid compute pricing.
- AI Model Gateway. Secure inference and token-based pricing for AI features.
- Sandboxed Environments. Isolated compute sandboxes for agents and custom workloads.
- Preview URLs. Instant preview deployments for every git branch.
- Custom SSL & Domain Management. Automatic certificates and domain handling per project.
- Spend Management. Usage budgets, alerts and auto-pause to control costs.
- Team Collaboration. Roles, MFA, SSO and viewer seats for shared development.
Heroku vs Vercel FAQ
Is Heroku or Vercel free?+
Heroku is paid, from $5/month (Eco). Vercel has a free plan (Hobby); paid plans start at $20/month (Pro).
Which is cheaper, Heroku or Vercel?+
Heroku is cheaper to start with: Heroku's Eco plan ($5/month) against Vercel's Pro plan ($20/month).
Do Heroku and Vercel integrate with the same tools?+
Partly. Both list GitHub. Heroku also lists Git, Docker, Node.js, Ruby and 7 more; Vercel also lists GitLab, Bitbucket, Google and Vercel CLI.
On DevHunt
Based on each tool's website and DevHunt data. Details may change; check the official sites.