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Couchbase vs Heroku

Couchbase logo

Couchbase

Software

The modern database for enterprise applications

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Heroku logo

Heroku

Software

Cloud Application Platform

From
$7/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Couchbase has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Couchbase the free tier is a single node with 8 GB of storage and forum support only; Heroku there is no free dyno tier; the cheapest Eco dyno is $5 per month
  • They diverge on capability: Couchbase covers JSON Document Model, Heroku covers Git-based deployment.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Couchbase and Heroku actually diverge.

Attributes where Couchbase and Heroku differ
AttributeCouchbaseHeroku
Starting priceFree$7/month
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsLinux, Windows, Mac, Docker, WebWeb, Api, Workers
Founded20112007

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 Couchbase

  • JSON Document Model
  • SQL++ Query
  • Full-text Search
  • Eventing
  • Analytics
  • Mobile Sync
  • Multi-dimensional Scaling
  • Kafka

Only in Heroku

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

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Couchbase

  • Running a distributed NoSQL document database as a managed servicenot Heroku
  • Mobile sync and offline first applications backed by a cloud databasenot Heroku

Heroku

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

Where each one falls short

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

Couchbase

  • The free tier is a single node with 8 GB of storage and forum support only
  • Node rates are hourly and quoted as starting figures, from $0.15 an hour on Basic to $0.49 on Enterprise
  • The Developer Pro and Enterprise plans require 3 nodes, so the hourly rate multiplies before any usage
  • Backup storage is billed separately at $0.07 per GB a month, and analytics backups at $0.14
  • Support response time is a plan feature, at 8 hours on Developer Pro against 30 minutes on Enterprise
  • AI and analytics run as separately priced planes at up to $0.86 an hour per node

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

Couchbase

Free
  • CommunityFree
    • Full features
    • Community support
    • Self-managed
  • Capella FreeFree
    • Managed service
    • Limited resources
    • Cloud hosted

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 Couchbase if

  • You need json document model.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Windows, Mac, Docker, Web.
  • You also want sql++ query.
Couchbase 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 Couchbase or Heroku better?
Neither clearly leads. Couchbase 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, Couchbase or Heroku?
Couchbase has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Couchbase and $7/month for Heroku.
Does Couchbase or Heroku run on more platforms?
Couchbase runs on Linux, Windows, Mac, Docker, Web. Heroku runs on Web, Api, Workers.
Can I use Couchbase for free?
Yes. Couchbase has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Heroku starts at $7/month.
What is Couchbase best used for?
Couchbase is most often used for running a distributed nosql document database as a managed service, mobile sync and offline first applications backed by a cloud database. Of those, running a distributed nosql document database as a managed service and mobile sync and offline first applications backed by a cloud database are not what Heroku is typically brought in for.
What can Couchbase do that Heroku cannot?
Couchbase covers JSON Document Model, SQL++ Query, Full-text Search, Eventing. Heroku covers Git-based deployment, Buildpacks, Dynos (containers), Add-ons marketplace. Both handle Web support.
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