Softwr

Cloud & Infrastructure · head to head

Heroku vs PyCharm

Heroku logo

Heroku

Cloud & Infrastructure

Cloud Application Platform

From
$7/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
PyCharm logo

PyCharm

Technology

The IDE for Professional Python Development

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only PyCharm has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Heroku there is no free dyno tier; the cheapest Eco dyno is $5 per month; PyCharm pyCharm Pro commercial licence is USD 299/year (USD 29.90/month); personal licence is USD 109/year dropping to USD 68.25 by year three with loyalty discounts, per jetbrains.com/store inline pricing JSON checked 19 Aug 2026
  • They diverge on capability: Heroku covers Git-based deployment, PyCharm covers Intelligent code editor.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Heroku and PyCharm actually diverge.

Attributes where Heroku and PyCharm differ
AttributeHerokuPyCharm
Starting price$7/monthFree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, Api, WorkersWindows, Macos, Linux
CategoryCloud & InfrastructureTechnology
Founded20072010

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), 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 Heroku

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

Only in PyCharm

  • Intelligent code editor
  • Smart code navigation
  • Fast and safe refactorings
  • Debugging and testing
  • VCS integration
  • Scientific development tools
  • Web development support
  • Database tools

Both cover

  • GitHub

What people use each for

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

Heroku

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

PyCharm

  • Python developmentnot Heroku
  • Data science projectsnot Heroku
  • Web developmentnot Heroku
  • Machine learningnot Heroku
  • Scientific computingnot Heroku

Where each one falls short

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

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

PyCharm

  • PyCharm Pro commercial licence is USD 299/year (USD 29.90/month); personal licence is USD 109/year dropping to USD 68.25 by year three with loyalty discounts, per jetbrains.com/store inline pricing JSON checked 19 Aug 2026

Pricing, plan by plan

Heroku

$7/month
  • Hobby$7/month
    • 512MB RAM
    • Shared CPU
    • 1 web dyno
  • Standard$50/month
    • 512MB RAM
    • Dedicated CPU
    • Automatic scaling

PyCharm

Free
  • CommunityFree
    • Intelligent Python editor
    • Graphical debugger and test runner
    • Navigation and refactoring
  • Professional$24.9/month
    • Everything in Community
    • Web development frameworks
    • Database tools

Which should you pick?

Choose Heroku if

  • You need git-based deployment.
  • You work on Web, Api, Workers.
  • You also want buildpacks.
Heroku review

Choose PyCharm if

  • You need intelligent code editor.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux.
  • You also want smart code navigation.
PyCharm review

Questions people ask

Is Heroku or PyCharm better?
Neither clearly leads. Heroku starts at $7/month and PyCharm at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Heroku or PyCharm?
PyCharm has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $7/month for Heroku and Free for PyCharm.
Does Heroku or PyCharm run on more platforms?
Heroku runs on Web, Api, Workers. PyCharm runs on Windows, Macos, Linux.
Can I use PyCharm for free?
Yes. PyCharm has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Heroku starts at $7/month.
What is Heroku best used for?
Heroku is most often used for deploying and scaling web applications with git push and no server administration, running managed postgres, redis and kafka as attached data services, isolated production environments in a private space for regulated workloads. Of those, deploying and scaling web applications with git push and no server administration and running managed postgres, redis and kafka as attached data services are not what PyCharm is typically brought in for.
What can Heroku do that PyCharm cannot?
Heroku covers Git-based deployment, Buildpacks, Dynos (containers), Add-ons marketplace. PyCharm covers Intelligent code editor, Smart code navigation, Fast and safe refactorings, Debugging and testing. Both handle GitHub.
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