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Docker vs Heroku

Docker logo

Docker

Technology

Accelerate how you build, share, and run applications

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Heroku logo

Heroku

Cloud

Cloud Application Platform

From
$5/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Docker has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Docker shared kernel creates security vulnerabilities when containers share the same OS kernel that can bypass container isolation; Heroku there is no free dyno tier; the cheapest Eco dyno is $5 per month
  • They diverge on capability: Docker covers Container runtime, Heroku covers Git-based deployment.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Docker and Heroku actually diverge.

Attributes where Docker and Heroku differ
AttributeDockerHeroku
Starting priceFree$5/month
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsLinux, macOS, WindowsWeb, Api, Workers
CategoryTechnologyCloud
Founded20102007

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

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 Docker

  • Container runtime
  • Docker Desktop
  • Docker Hub
  • Docker Compose
  • Container images
  • Dockerfile
  • Docker Swarm
  • BuildKit

Only in Heroku

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

Both cover

  • GitHub

What people use each for

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

Docker

  • Application containerizationnot Heroku
  • Microservicesnot Heroku
  • CI/CD pipelines
  • Development environmentsnot Heroku
  • Cloud migrationnot Heroku

Heroku

  • Application hostingnot Docker
  • Database as a servicenot Docker
  • CI/CD pipelines
  • API deploymentnot Docker

Both are used for ci/cd pipelines, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.

Where each one falls short

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

Docker

  • Shared kernel creates security vulnerabilities when containers share the same OS kernel that can bypass container isolation
  • Daemon socket exposure grants full root access to the host if compromised
  • Requires careful secrets management - credentials embedded in images or environment variables are easily harvested by attackers
  • Resource management complexity - misbehaving or compromised containers can consume all resources causing denial of service
  • Orchestration complexity - Docker Swarm is less capable than Kubernetes, requiring external tools for production deployments

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

Docker

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Docker review.

Heroku

$5/month
  • Eco Dyno$5/month
    • 0.5 GB RAM
    • Git/Docker deploy
    • Custom domains
  • Basic Dyno$7/month
    • 0.5 GB RAM
    • Always-on
    • Free SSL
  • Standard-1X Dyno$25/month
    • 0.5 GB RAM
    • Horizontal scaling
    • App metrics
  • Standard-2X Dyno$50/month
    • 1 GB RAM
    • Horizontal scaling
    • App metrics

Which should you pick?

Choose Docker if

  • You need container runtime.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, macOS, Windows.
  • You also want docker desktop.
Docker 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 Docker or Heroku better?
Neither clearly leads. Docker starts at Free and Heroku at $5/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Docker or Heroku?
Docker has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Docker and $5/month for Heroku.
Does Docker or Heroku run on more platforms?
Docker runs on Linux, macOS, Windows. Heroku runs on Web, Api, Workers.
Can I use Docker for free?
Yes. Docker has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Heroku starts at $5/month.
What is Docker best used for?
Docker is most often used for application containerization, microservices, ci/cd pipelines, development environments. Of those, application containerization and microservices are not what Heroku is typically brought in for.
What can Docker do that Heroku cannot?
Docker covers Container runtime, Docker Desktop, Docker Hub, Docker Compose. Heroku covers Git-based deployment, Buildpacks, Dynos (containers), Add-ons marketplace. Both handle GitHub.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Docker: What is Docker pricing?

Docker offers a freemium model with Docker Personal free, Docker Pro at $11/user/month, Docker Team at $16/user/month, and Docker Business at $24/user/month. Each tier includes Docker Desktop, Docker Hub, and Docker Scout with different usage limits.

Source
Heroku: How much does Heroku cost?

Heroku dyno pricing starts at $5 per month USD for the Eco tier (with 30-minute inactivity sleep), $7 per month for Basic (always-on), and scales up to $1,500 per month for Performance-2XL with 126 GB RAM.

Source
Docker: Can I use Docker in production?

Yes. Docker is used extensively in production environments. However, for container orchestration at scale, Kubernetes is typically paired with Docker to automate deployment, scaling, and management across clusters.

Source
Heroku: What is the cheapest always-on Heroku plan?

The Basic Dyno at $7 per month USD is Heroku's cheapest always-on container option. It provides 0.5 GB RAM, free SSL, and support for 10 process types.

Source
Docker: What are the main security concerns with Docker?

Key security risks include container breakout vulnerabilities through shared kernel exploits, daemon socket exposure that grants root access if compromised, weak isolation between containers, and credential leakage if secrets are embedded in images.

Source
Heroku: How is Heroku Postgres priced?

Heroku Postgres Essential tier (shared resources) starts at $5-$20 per month for 1-32 GB disk. Standard tier (dedicated) ranges $50-$12,000 per month. Premium, Private, Shield, and Advanced tiers offer higher performance at corresponding prices.

Source
Docker: Does Docker integrate with CI/CD systems?

Yes. Docker integrates with Jenkins, GitHub, and other CI/CD systems. The typical workflow involves GitHub repositories triggering automated builds in Jenkins, which prepare Dockerfiles and push images to Docker Hub for deployment.

Source
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