# Zerops vs Heroku


Zerops and Heroku both aim to make git-push style deploys the default way to ship apps. Heroku popularized that model and still has a mature buildpack and add-on ecosystem. Zerops is under active development, with full Linux containers, SSH, and horizontal scaling available without gating it behind higher dyno tiers.

This page is a straight comparison, not a sales pitch. Where Heroku is genuinely stronger, we say so.

:::info Platform direction (February 2026)
Salesforce confirmed Heroku is moving to a **sustaining engineering** model: security patches and stability fixes continue, but no new features are planned and no new Enterprise contracts are being written. This is a real, disclosed change and relevant if you are choosing a platform for the long term.
:::

## At a glance

| | Zerops | Heroku |
|---|---|---|
| **Platform status** | Actively developed | Sustaining engineering only (Feb 2026) |
| **Entry price** | Free lightweight project core | $5/month (Eco, sleeps after 30 min) |
| **Horizontal scaling** | Available by default | Requires Standard tier or above |
| **SSH into containers** | Yes, any container | No, restricted dyno model |
| **Managed Postgres** | Included as managed service | Starts at $50/month separately |
| **Free tier** | Free project core | Removed November 2022 |

## What Heroku is

Heroku is the platform that popularized git-push deploys, now owned by Salesforce. Dynos are the unit of compute. Buildpacks and a large add-on marketplace cover a wide range of languages and services. For teams that already know Heroku, the model is familiar and well documented.

## Pricing

As of **August 2026**:

- **Eco:** $5/month (shared, sleeps after 30 minutes of inactivity)
- **Basic:** $7/month (no sleeping, no horizontal scaling)
- **Standard-1X:** $25/month
- **Standard-2X:** $50/month
- Horizontal scaling requires **Standard** or above
- Managed Postgres starts separately at **$50/month** for Standard-0
- The free tier was removed in **November 2022**

Zerops has a free lightweight project core. Compute is billed per minute, horizontal scaling is available by default, and managed Postgres is a first-class managed service rather than a separate add-on starting at $50/month. See [PostgreSQL on Zerops](/postgresql/overview) and [Scaling](/features/scaling).

:::tip Check current numbers
Dyno and Postgres prices change. Confirm on Heroku's own pricing page before you decide.
:::

## Where Heroku is genuinely strong

- **Mature ecosystem.** Buildpacks and add-ons are extremely well documented and widely understood.
- **Minimal surprises for existing users.** Teams that already run on Heroku know the operational shape.
- **Long track record.** Years of production use across many stacks and company sizes.

## Where Zerops differs

### Active product development

Zerops ships new features regularly. Heroku's disclosed sustaining-engineering model means security and stability continue, but the feature roadmap does not. If long-term platform evolution matters, that difference is material.

### Full Linux containers with SSH

Every Zerops container is a full Linux environment via [Incus](https://linuxcontainers.org/incus/). You can SSH into any running service. Heroku's dyno model is more restricted and does not give general SSH into production dynos.

### Horizontal scaling without tier gates

On Zerops, horizontal scaling is available by default. On Heroku, horizontal scaling requires Standard tier or above. Eco and Basic are limited accordingly.

### Managed databases as first-class services

Zerops managed databases sit on the same private network as your app and are addressed by hostname. Heroku Postgres is a separate paid add-on (Standard-0 from $50/month). See [Internal access](/references/networking/internal-access).

## Quick answers

  **Question: Is Zerops cheaper than Heroku?**

Often at small and mid scale, yes, but it depends on the dyno mix and add-ons. Heroku Eco starts at $5/month but sleeps after inactivity; Basic is $7/month with no horizontal scaling; managed Postgres starts at $50/month. Zerops has a free project core, per-minute compute, and managed Postgres as a first-class service. Compare your actual dyno and database footprint.

  **Question: Is Heroku still getting new features?**

No. In February 2026, Salesforce confirmed Heroku is in sustaining engineering: security and stability fixes continue, but no new features are planned and no new Enterprise contracts are being written.

  **Question: Does Heroku support SSH into dynos?**

No general SSH into production dynos. Zerops provides SSH into any running container as a full Linux environment.

  **Question: Can I scale horizontally on Heroku Basic?**

No. Horizontal scaling on Heroku requires Standard tier or above. Zerops includes horizontal scaling by default.

  **Question: When should I pick Heroku over Zerops?**

When your team already depends on Heroku buildpacks and add-ons, and stability with a known operational model matters more than new platform features or SSH-level container access.

## Related comparisons

- [Comparisons overview](/comparisons) — Zerops vs Railway, Render, Heroku, and Fly.io at a glance.
- [Zerops vs Railway](/comparisons/zerops-vs-railway) — Usage billing, seat fees, SSH access, and owned hardware.
- [Zerops vs Render](/comparisons/zerops-vs-render) — Workspace tiers, bandwidth changes, and free database expiry.
- [Zerops vs Fly.io](/comparisons/zerops-vs-flyio) — Multi-region edge deploy, pay-as-you-go pricing, and networking fees.

## Keeping this accurate

Pricing and features change often. This page reflects information verified in **August 2026**. If something is out of date, we'd like to know. The goal is accuracy, not a stacked deck. Always check each platform's own pricing page before you decide.

:::note Still deciding?
Jump into the [Zerops Discord](https://docs.zerops.io/discord) and ask. The team can walk through your specific use case.
:::