Softwr

Database & Data Management · head to head

DuckDB vs Heroku

DuckDB logo

DuckDB

Database & Data Management

Fast in-process analytical database

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Heroku logo

Heroku

Cloud & Infrastructure

Cloud Application Platform

From
$7/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only DuckDB has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: DuckDB client-server setup remains in beta and not recommended for production distributed scenarios; Heroku there is no free dyno tier; the cheapest Eco dyno is $5 per month
  • They diverge on capability: DuckDB covers In-process Execution, Heroku covers Git-based deployment.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which DuckDB and Heroku actually diverge.

Attributes where DuckDB and Heroku differ
AttributeDuckDBHeroku
Starting priceFree$7/month
Pricing modelopen-sourcesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsLinux, macOS, Windows, WebAssemblyWeb, Api, Workers
CategoryDatabase & Data ManagementCloud & Infrastructure
Founded20192007

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 DuckDB

  • In-process Execution
  • Columnar Storage
  • Vectorized Execution
  • Rich SQL Support
  • Parquet Support
  • CSV/JSON Import
  • Zero Dependencies
  • Python

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.

DuckDB

  • Analytics and data warehousingnot Heroku
  • OLAP queries and data explorationnot Heroku
  • Data science and machine learning workflowsnot Heroku
  • Multi-format data ingestion and processingnot Heroku

Heroku

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

Where each one falls short

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

DuckDB

  • Client-server setup remains in beta and not recommended for production distributed scenarios

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

DuckDB

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the DuckDB 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 DuckDB if

  • You need in-process execution.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, macOS, Windows, WebAssembly.
  • You also want columnar storage.
DuckDB 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 DuckDB or Heroku better?
Neither clearly leads. DuckDB 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, DuckDB or Heroku?
DuckDB has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for DuckDB and $7/month for Heroku.
Does DuckDB or Heroku run on more platforms?
DuckDB runs on Linux, macOS, Windows, WebAssembly. Heroku runs on Web, Api, Workers.
Can I use DuckDB for free?
Yes. DuckDB has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Heroku starts at $7/month.
What is DuckDB best used for?
DuckDB is most often used for analytics and data warehousing, olap queries and data exploration, data science and machine learning workflows, multi-format data ingestion and processing. Of those, analytics and data warehousing and olap queries and data exploration are not what Heroku is typically brought in for.
What can DuckDB do that Heroku cannot?
DuckDB covers In-process Execution, Columnar Storage, Vectorized Execution, Rich SQL Support. Heroku covers Git-based deployment, Buildpacks, Dynos (containers), Add-ons marketplace.
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