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Database & Data Management · head to head

DynamoDB vs Heroku

DynamoDB logo

DynamoDB

Database & Data Management

Fast, flexible NoSQL database service for any scale

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Heroku logo

Heroku

Cloud & Infrastructure

Cloud Application Platform

From
$7/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: DynamoDB noSQL-only; does not support complex relational queries or SQL joins; Heroku there is no free dyno tier; the cheapest Eco dyno is $5 per month
  • They diverge on capability: DynamoDB covers Single-digit Millisecond Latency, Heroku covers Git-based deployment.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which DynamoDB and Heroku actually diverge.

Attributes where DynamoDB and Heroku differ
AttributeDynamoDBHeroku
Starting priceOn request$7/month
Pricing modelusage-basedsubscription
PlatformsAWSWeb, Api, Workers
CategoryDatabase & Data ManagementCloud & Infrastructure
Founded20062007

Identical on both: free tier (No), 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 DynamoDB

  • Single-digit Millisecond Latency
  • Serverless
  • Auto-scaling
  • Global Tables
  • Point-in-time Recovery
  • Encryption
  • Streams
  • Lambda

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.

DynamoDB

  • High-scale, variable-workload applicationsnot Heroku
  • Mobile and IoT device backendsnot Heroku
  • Real-time analytics and dashboardsnot Heroku
  • Multi-region, globally distributed applicationsnot Heroku

Heroku

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

Where each one falls short

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

DynamoDB

  • NoSQL-only; does not support complex relational queries or SQL joins
  • Limited query flexibility; requires thinking in terms of keys and indexes rather than ad-hoc queries

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

DynamoDB

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the DynamoDB 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 DynamoDB if

  • You need single-digit millisecond latency.
  • You work on AWS.
  • You also want serverless.
DynamoDB 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 DynamoDB or Heroku better?
Neither clearly leads. DynamoDB starts at On request and Heroku at $7/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, DynamoDB or Heroku?
DynamoDB starts at On request and Heroku at $7/month.
Does DynamoDB or Heroku run on more platforms?
DynamoDB runs on AWS. Heroku runs on Web, Api, Workers.
What is DynamoDB best used for?
DynamoDB is most often used for high-scale, variable-workload applications, mobile and iot device backends, real-time analytics and dashboards, multi-region, globally distributed applications. Of those, high-scale, variable-workload applications and mobile and iot device backends are not what Heroku is typically brought in for.
What can DynamoDB do that Heroku cannot?
DynamoDB covers Single-digit Millisecond Latency, Serverless, Auto-scaling, Global Tables. Heroku covers Git-based deployment, Buildpacks, Dynos (containers), Add-ons marketplace. Both handle Web support.
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