Updated September 28, 2026 · DeployCue Editorial Team

DigitalOcean vs Heroku

Compare DigitalOcean and Heroku using recorded catalog facts and pricing.
DigitalOcean versus Heroku
FactDigitalOceanHeroku
Published offerings80

Where DigitalOcean and Heroku differ

DigitalOcean vs Heroku
FactDigitalOceanHeroku
Price from$4Lower$5
Database enginesMongoDB, Kafka, PostgreSQL, MySQL, Valkey, OpenSearchPostgreSQL, Redis, Kafka
Compliance certificationsSOC 2, SOC 3, Global PRP, HIPAA, DORANot confirmed

Same on both: Free tier (No).

Key differences

  • Price from is lower at DigitalOcean: $4 vs $5.
  • Database engines: only DigitalOcean offers MongoDB, MySQL, Valkey.
  • Database engines: only Heroku offers Redis.
  • Support channels: only Heroku offers Email.
  • Founded is lower at Heroku: 2007 vs 2012.

Score breakdown

DigitalOcean vs Heroku
AreaDigitalOceanHeroku
Cost9.60HigherIncluded transfer of 500 GiB outbound transfer per month and new account credit of USD 5, valid 90 days cut the first bill.8.90Entry plan starts at $5, under the €5.83 median on this site, with no free tier to soften the opening bill.
Offer9.20VPS and bare metal under vps and bare metal, hourly, monthly and per second billing and 12 regions.9.50Higher
Trust8.909.90Higher

Choosing between them

Pick DigitalOcean if cost and price from matter most.

Pick Heroku if offer matter most.

The bill, worked out

A year on the entry plan

DigitalOcean

$48

12 × $4

Heroku

$60

12 × $5

DigitalOcean costs $12 less.

Worked out from the stated prices and rates; your own total depends on how you use it.

Area by area

DigitalOcean

  • Cost9.6
  • Offer9.2

Heroku

  • Cost8.9
  • Offer9.5
  • DigitalOcean leads on cost by 0.7 points (9.6 vs 8.9).
  • On offer the two are close: Heroku 9.5, DigitalOcean 9.2.

Availability and regulation

DigitalOcean vs Heroku
CountryDigitalOceanHeroku
HeadquartersUnited StatesUnited States

Every fact side by side

DigitalOcean vs Heroku
FactDigitalOceanHeroku
Legal entityDigitalOcean, LLCNot confirmed
HeadquartersUnited StatesUnited States
Founded20122007Lower
Support channelsHelp centre, CommunityEmail, Help centre, CommunityCovers more

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