Heroku invented this category — git push, and a managed platform runs your app. DigitalOcean's App Platform does the same thing, but it arrived after Heroku killed its free tier in 2022. The question in 2026 isn't which platform is more mature — it's which one still makes sense for a new project.
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The bout at a glance
| DigitalOcean App Platform | Heroku | |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier | 3 static sites, free | None — free tier ended Nov 2022 |
| Entry price | Dynamic apps from $5/mo (512 MB, always-on) | Eco $5/mo (sleeps after 30 min idle); Basic $7/mo (always-on) |
| Always-on web app | $5/mo | $7/mo (Basic dyno) |
| Small database | Managed Postgres from $15/mo | Mini Postgres from $5/mo |
| Best for | New side projects, indie apps, predictable bills | Existing Heroku stacks, add-on ecosystem users |
Pricing and included resources change often; verify on each vendor's page before deciding. Sources: DigitalOcean pricing page and Heroku pricing page, checked 2026-09-08.
When DigitalOcean App Platform is the better pick
Pick App Platform when the project is new and you want to start at $0 and grow honestly. The free tier covers up to three static sites, and the moment you need a real always-on app it's $5 a month — no sleep behavior, no hour pools, no surprise. Deploys are Git-based like Heroku's, and the bill reads like DigitalOcean's: predictable, per-resource, nothing hidden. If your app outgrows the platform, the same account gives you Droplets, managed Kubernetes and databases without migrating vendors.
When Heroku is the better pick
Pick Heroku when you already live there, or when the add-on marketplace is doing real work for you — one-click Redis, SendGrid, search and monitoring integrations that are the reason teams still run production on Heroku. Its small Postgres is also genuinely cheap: the Mini tier starts around $5 a month, versus DigitalOcean's managed database at $15. The trade-offs are the ones you already know: no free tier anymore, Eco dynos sleep after 30 minutes of inactivity, and always-on means at least $7 per dyno before a database.
The verdict
For a new side project in 2026, pick DigitalOcean App Platform — free static start, $5 always-on, predictable pricing. Pick Heroku if your stack depends on its add-on ecosystem or you want the cheapest small Postgres, and you're fine paying the sleep tax or the $7 Basic dyno.
Sources
- DigitalOcean, official pricing page: digitalocean.com/pricing
- Heroku, official pricing page: heroku.com/pricing
- Heroku, official FAQ — removal of free product plans (Nov 2022): help.heroku.com/RSBRUH58
This comparison reflects pricing and features as of the last verification (2026-09-08). Prices change; confirm on the vendor page before buying. Commissions, if any, never influence which tool we name as the winner.