Best Heroku Alternatives (2026)
Our top picks for replacing Heroku, ranked by value, features, and community support.
Quick Picks
| # | Tool | Pricing | Monthly | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coolify | Open Source | Free | 100% |
| 2 | Dokploy | Open Source | Free | 100% |
| 3 | Dokku | Open Source | Free | 100% |
Full Rankings
#1
Coolify
Self-hostable PaaS for deploying apps, databases, and services on your own servers
Free and open-source. Only cost is server infrastructure (~$5/mo on Hetzner). Cloud version ~$10/mo.
- ✓ 280+ one-click deployable services and templates
- ✓ Dramatically cheaper than Vercel/Heroku ($5/mo vs $850/mo)
- ✓ Automatic SSL, Git deployments, and Docker support
#2
Dokploy
Free self-hostable PaaS with Docker Swarm scaling and automated backups
Completely free and open-source. Only cost is your server infrastructure.
- ✓ Docker Swarm multi-node scaling built in
- ✓ Automated database backups to external storage
- ✓ Real-time CPU, memory, storage, and network monitoring
#3
Dokku
The smallest PaaS implementation you have ever seen, powered by Docker and Heroku buildpacks
Free and open-source. Runs on a single $5/mo VPS for small apps.
- ✓ Heroku buildpack compatible for zero-config deployments
- ✓ Simple git push deployment workflow
- ✓ Extensible plugin system for databases, caching, and more
Detailed Comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best free alternative to Heroku?
Coolify is our top free pick. Self-hostable PaaS for deploying apps, databases, and services on your own servers.
Is there an open-source alternative to Heroku?
Yes! Coolify is open-source and can be self-hosted. Self-hostable PaaS for deploying apps, databases, and services on your own servers.
How much can I save by switching from Heroku?
Up to 100% by switching to Coolify. Many alternatives offer free self-hosted options.