Heroku vs Netlify: Which Platform Should You Choose in 2026?
Compare Heroku and Netlify for hosting web applications. Heroku offers full-stack deployment with databases and add-ons, while Netlify specializes in static sites and serverless functions with better free tier options.
Updated 2026-09 · 2026
Heroku
Full-stack cloud platform for deploying and scaling applications
Strengths
- +Supports multiple languages (Node.js, Python, Ruby, Java, PHP, Go)
- +Built-in database options (Postgres, Redis, MongoDB)
- +Extensive add-on marketplace for third-party services
Weaknesses
- -No free tier since November 2022; Eco dynos discontinued in April 2025
- -More expensive than competitors for equivalent resources
- -Dyno sleeping/cycling on lower tiers causes cold starts
Best for
Teams needing full-stack applications with databases, background workers, and multiple services in one platform
Netlify
Modern web platform for static sites and serverless functions
Strengths
- +Generous free tier (100GB bandwidth, 300 build minutes)
- +Instant Git-based deployments with atomic rollbacks
- +Built-in CDN with edge network for fast global delivery
Weaknesses
- -Limited to static sites and serverless functions (no persistent servers)
- -No built-in database solutions
- -Function execution time limited to 10 seconds on free tier
Best for
Frontend developers building static sites, JAMstack apps, or serverless applications without backend infrastructure needs
Feature Comparison
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Free Tier | None (Eco dynos discontinued April 2025) | 100GB bandwidth, 300 build minutes/month |
| Starting Price | $5/month per Basic dyno (first year, then $7/mo) | Free (Pro at $19/user/month) |
| Backend Support | Full backend with any language/framework | Serverless functions only (10s limit free tier) |
| Database Hosting | Built-in Postgres, Redis, MongoDB add-ons | None (integrate external services) |
| Build Minutes | Unlimited on all paid plans | 300/month free, 25,000 on Pro |
| CDN/Edge Network | Not included (requires add-on) | Built-in global CDN on all plans |
| Custom Domains | Unlimited on all plans | Unlimited on all plans |
| Deployment Method | Git push, CLI, GitHub integration | Git push, CLI, drag-and-drop |
| Preview Environments | Review apps (requires pipeline) | Automatic deploy previews for all PRs |
| SSL Certificates | Free automated SSL | Free automated SSL |
| Background Jobs | Worker dynos supported | Not supported (use scheduled functions) |
| Best Use Case | Full-stack apps with databases | Static sites and JAMstack apps |
The Verdict
Choose Netlify if you're building static sites, JAMstack applications, or frontend-heavy projects—the free tier is excellent and the developer experience is superior. Choose Heroku if you need full backend infrastructure with databases, background workers, or traditional server-side applications, though you'll pay significantly more for the convenience.
How to switch from Heroku to Netlify
- 1Export your Heroku Postgres database with `heroku pg:backups:capture` then `heroku pg:backups:download` to get a .dump file, and export config vars with `heroku config -s > .env`.
- 2Restore the .dump file into a new database host (e.g., Supabase, Neon, or Railway) using `pg_restore`, and store the connection string for later use.
- 3Connect your Git repository to Netlify, configure build settings in a `netlify.toml` file, and add your exported environment variables under Site settings > Environment variables.
- 4Rewrite any lightweight backend routes as Netlify Functions; move long-running processes or background jobs to a separate host since Netlify doesn't support persistent servers.
- 5Update your domain's DNS records to point to Netlify and confirm the free automated SSL certificate has provisioned before going live.
- 6Monitor the new Netlify site and functions for a week, then run `heroku apps:destroy` on the old Heroku app to stop billing.
Heroku vs Netlify: common questions
How do I export my data from Heroku before switching?+
Run `heroku pg:backups:capture` followed by `heroku pg:backups:download` to get a .dump file (pg_dump custom format) of your Postgres database. Export config vars separately with `heroku config -s > .env` so you can re-add them to your new environment.
What do I lose by moving from Heroku to Netlify?+
You lose persistent servers, built-in database hosting, worker dynos, and the add-on marketplace. Netlify only runs serverless functions with a 10-second execution limit on the free tier, so any long-running backend logic needs a separate host like Railway, Render, or Fly.io.
Is Netlify's free tier enough for a small team?+
For a static site or JAMstack frontend with moderate traffic, yes — 100GB bandwidth and 300 build minutes/month covers most small projects. But real team collaboration (multiple seats, roles, more build minutes) requires the Pro plan at $19/user/month.
Does Netlify support the same integrations as Heroku's add-ons?+
No, Netlify has no equivalent add-on marketplace. You'll connect third-party services (databases, auth, email) directly via their own APIs or Netlify build plugins instead of a one-click Heroku add-on.
How much will I actually save switching from Heroku to Netlify long-term?+
For static sites, savings are significant since you drop the $5-7/month dyno cost plus any Postgres add-on fees. For full-stack apps, you'll likely offset those savings by paying separately for a database host and backend hosting, so total cost may end up similar.
