Dokku vs Heroku
A detailed comparison to help you choose between Dokku and Heroku.
Quick Verdict
4.7/5
Dokku
251 reviews
4.3/5
Heroku
393 reviews
Dokku is rated higher (4.7 vs 4.3). Dokku is an open source PaaS you deploy on any VPS. Heroku-compatible buildpacks, Git push deployments, Let's Encrypt SSL, and Docker support. Run your own Heroku on a $5 Hetzner server. Heroku pioneered platform-as-a-service in 2007. Owned by Salesforce. Supports 10+ languages, huge addon marketplace (150+ addons). Removed free tier in 2022 but remains popular for ease of use. Eco plans restart.
Dokku Self-hosted mini Heroku on your own VPS | Heroku The original PaaS — still the easiest deploy | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Rating | 4.7 (251 reviews)✓ | 4.3 (393 reviews) |
| Pricing model | free | paid |
| Starting price | Free✓ | From €5/mo |
| Best for | Developers who want Heroku-style deployments at VPS pricing on infrastructure they own and control | Developers who prioritize the largest addon ecosystem and a proven, mature PaaS with minimal configuration |
| Tags | ||
| Tags | free tieropen sourceself hostable | managed optionus datacentereu datacenterapi access |
| Visit Dokku → | Visit Heroku → | |
Dokku
Pros
- + Free and open source — just need a VPS
- + Heroku buildpack compatible
- + Full control over your data and costs
Cons
- - Self-managed — you handle updates and maintenance
- - Requires Linux server knowledge
Heroku
Pros
- + Most addon marketplace options — 150+
- + Dead-simple deployments with git push
- + Longest PaaS track record
Cons
- - Removed free tier in 2022
- - More expensive than competitors for equivalent resources
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