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Apache Druid vs Heroku

Apache Druid logo

Apache Druid

Software

Real-time analytics database for sub-second OLAP queries

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Heroku logo

Heroku

Software

Cloud Application Platform

From
$7/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Apache Druid has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Apache Druid open-source offering lacks high-availability, distributed architecture, and enterprise security features; Heroku there is no free dyno tier; the cheapest Eco dyno is $5 per month
  • They diverge on capability: Apache Druid covers Real-time Ingestion, Heroku covers Git-based deployment.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Apache Druid and Heroku actually diverge.

Attributes where Apache Druid and Heroku differ
AttributeApache DruidHeroku
Starting priceFree$7/month
Pricing modelopen-sourcesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsDocker, Kubernetes, Native deployment (Java-based)Web, Api, Workers
Founded19992007

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Apache Druid

  • Real-time Ingestion
  • Sub-second Queries
  • Column-oriented Storage
  • Streaming Integration
  • Approximate Algorithms
  • Flexible Schemas
  • Time-based Partitioning
  • Kafka

Only in Heroku

  • Git-based deployment
  • Buildpacks
  • Dynos (containers)
  • Add-ons marketplace
  • Postgres database
  • Environment variables
  • Logging
  • API

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Apache Druid

  • Real-time analytics platforms ingesting millions of events per second from streaming sourcesnot Heroku
  • Applications requiring sub-second queries over high-cardinality datasets (billions to trillions of rows)not Heroku
  • Time-series and event analysis at massive scale with columnar storage efficiencynot Heroku

Heroku

  • Deploying and scaling web applications with git push and no server administrationnot Apache Druid
  • Running managed Postgres, Redis and Kafka as attached data servicesnot Apache Druid
  • Isolated production environments in a Private Space for regulated workloadsnot Apache Druid

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Apache Druid

  • Open-source offering lacks high-availability, distributed architecture, and enterprise security features
  • Requires native integration with Apache Kafka or Amazon Kinesis for real-time ingestion; custom integrations need development
  • High-concurrency query support (hundreds of thousands QPS) requires significant cluster infrastructure investment

Heroku

  • There is no free dyno tier; the cheapest Eco dyno is $5 per month
  • Eco dynos sleep after 30 minutes of inactivity, are restricted to personal accounts and allow only 2 process types
  • Free SSL and 10 process types start at the Basic dyno at $7 per month
  • Private and Shield dyno types require a Private Space, which is billed on top of the dynos
  • Private Space dynos start at $250 per month for Private-M and $500 per month for Private-L
  • Dyno prices are per dyno per month, so an app with several process types multiplies the bill

Pricing, plan by plan

Apache Druid

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Apache Druid review.

Heroku

$7/month
  • Hobby$7/month
    • 512MB RAM
    • Shared CPU
    • 1 web dyno
  • Standard$50/month
    • 512MB RAM
    • Dedicated CPU
    • Automatic scaling

Which should you pick?

Choose Apache Druid if

  • You need real-time ingestion.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Docker, Kubernetes, Native deployment (Java-based).
  • You also want sub-second queries.
Apache Druid review

Choose Heroku if

  • You need git-based deployment.
  • You work on Web, Api, Workers.
  • You also want buildpacks.
Heroku review

Questions people ask

Is Apache Druid or Heroku better?
Neither clearly leads. Apache Druid starts at Free and Heroku at $7/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apache Druid or Heroku?
Apache Druid has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Apache Druid and $7/month for Heroku.
Does Apache Druid or Heroku run on more platforms?
Apache Druid runs on Docker, Kubernetes, Native deployment (Java-based). Heroku runs on Web, Api, Workers.
Can I use Apache Druid for free?
Yes. Apache Druid has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Heroku starts at $7/month.
What is Apache Druid best used for?
Apache Druid is most often used for real-time analytics platforms ingesting millions of events per second from streaming sources, applications requiring sub-second queries over high-cardinality datasets (billions to trillions of rows), time-series and event analysis at massive scale with columnar storage efficiency. Of those, real-time analytics platforms ingesting millions of events per second from streaming sources and applications requiring sub-second queries over high-cardinality datasets (billions to trillions of rows) are not what Heroku is typically brought in for.
What can Apache Druid do that Heroku cannot?
Apache Druid covers Real-time Ingestion, Sub-second Queries, Column-oriented Storage, Streaming Integration. Heroku covers Git-based deployment, Buildpacks, Dynos (containers), Add-ons marketplace.
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