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Arq Backup vs Heroku

Arq Backup logo

Arq Backup

Software

Mac and Windows backup to your own cloud storage

From
$50/year
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Heroku logo

Heroku

Software

Cloud Application Platform

From
$7/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Arq Backup runs on Mac and Windows only; Heroku there is no free dyno tier; the cheapest Eco dyno is $5 per month
  • They diverge on capability: Arq Backup covers Client-side encryption, Heroku covers Git-based deployment.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Arq Backup and Heroku actually diverge.

Attributes where Arq Backup and Heroku differ
AttributeArq BackupHeroku
Starting price$50/year$7/month
PlatformsWindows, MacWeb, Api, Workers
Founded20092007

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), 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 Arq Backup

  • Client-side encryption
  • Hourly backups
  • Network backup
  • Deduplication
  • Immutable backups
  • Budget controls
  • Google Cloud
  • Azure

Only in Heroku

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

Both cover

  • AWS S3

What people use each for

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

Arq Backup

  • Data protectionnot Heroku
  • Disaster recoverynot Heroku
  • Business continuitynot Heroku
  • Ransomware protectionnot Heroku
  • Compliancenot Heroku

Heroku

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

Where each one falls short

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

Arq Backup

  • Runs on Mac and Windows only
  • Arq 7 is licensed per computer, and continuing to receive updates after the first year costs $25 per year per computer
  • Arq Premium covers up to 5 computers, so larger households or teams need more than one subscription
  • Arq Premium includes 1TB of storage and charges $0.0059 per GB per month beyond it

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

Arq Backup

$50/year
  • Arq Premium$50/year
    • 5 computers
    • Arq Cloud storage option
    • Email support

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 Arq Backup if

  • You need client-side encryption.
  • You work on Windows, Mac.
  • You also want hourly backups.
Arq Backup 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 Arq Backup or Heroku better?
Neither clearly leads. Arq Backup starts at $50/year and Heroku at $7/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Arq Backup or Heroku?
Arq Backup starts at $50/year and Heroku at $7/month.
Does Arq Backup or Heroku run on more platforms?
Arq Backup runs on Windows, Mac. Heroku runs on Web, Api, Workers.
What is Arq Backup best used for?
Arq Backup is most often used for data protection, disaster recovery, business continuity, ransomware protection. Of those, data protection and disaster recovery are not what Heroku is typically brought in for.
What can Arq Backup do that Heroku cannot?
Arq Backup covers Client-side encryption, Hourly backups, Network backup, Deduplication. Heroku covers Git-based deployment, Buildpacks, Dynos (containers), Add-ons marketplace. Both handle AWS S3.
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