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Express.js vs Heroku

E

Express.js

Software

Fast, unopinionated, minimalist web framework for Node.js

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Heroku logo

Heroku

Software

Cloud Application Platform

From
$7/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Express.js governed by the OpenJS Foundation with no vendor or paid tier, per expressjs.com; as open source software it has no pricing to compare; Heroku there is no free dyno tier; the cheapest Eco dyno is $5 per month

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Express.js and Heroku actually diverge.

Attributes where Express.js and Heroku differ
AttributeExpress.jsHeroku
Starting priceOn request$7/month
Pricing modelquotesubscription
PlatformsWebWeb, Api, Workers
FoundedUnknown2007

Identical on both: 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 Express.js

Nothing recorded that Heroku does not also cover.

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.

Express.js

No use cases recorded yet. See the Express.js review.

Heroku

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

Where each one falls short

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

Express.js

  • Governed by the OpenJS Foundation with no vendor or paid tier, per expressjs.com; as open source software it has no pricing to compare
  • Express.js provides only a thin layer of fundamental routing features by its own description, requiring separate middleware modules for functionality like body parsing, sessions or authentication

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

Express.js

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Express.js 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 Express.js if

Nothing in the data separates Express.js from Heroku on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

Express.js 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 Express.js or Heroku better?
Neither clearly leads. Express.js 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, Express.js or Heroku?
Express.js starts at On request and Heroku at $7/month.
Does Express.js or Heroku run on more platforms?
Express.js runs on Web. Heroku runs on Web, Api, Workers.
What can Express.js do that Heroku cannot?
Heroku covers Git-based deployment, Buildpacks, Dynos (containers), Add-ons marketplace.
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Related pages

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