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Heroku vs Traefik

Heroku logo

Heroku

Software

Cloud Application Platform

From
$7/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Traefik logo

Traefik

Software

Modern cloud-native edge router and API gateway

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Traefik 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; Traefik requires Kubernetes or container knowledge
  • They diverge on capability: Heroku covers Git-based deployment, Traefik covers API Gateway.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Heroku and Traefik actually diverge.

Attributes where Heroku and Traefik differ
AttributeHerokuTraefik
Starting price$7/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionUnknown
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, Api, WorkersKubernetes, Docker, Cloud
Founded20072015

Identical on both: 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 Heroku

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

Only in Traefik

  • API Gateway
  • Load Balancing
  • SSL/TLS Termination
  • Kubernetes
  • Docker
  • Consul
  • etcd
  • Linux support

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 Traefik
  • Running managed Postgres, Redis and Kafka as attached data servicesnot Traefik
  • Isolated production environments in a Private Space for regulated workloadsnot Traefik

Traefik

  • API gateway for microservices architecturenot Heroku
  • Kubernetes ingress controllernot Heroku
  • Container and VM traffic routingnot Heroku
  • Cloud-native application managementnot 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

Traefik

  • Requires Kubernetes or container knowledge
  • Complex configuration for advanced features

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

Traefik

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Traefik review.

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 Traefik if

  • You need api gateway.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Kubernetes, Docker, Cloud.
  • You also want load balancing.
Traefik review

Questions people ask

Is Heroku or Traefik better?
Neither clearly leads. Heroku starts at $7/month and Traefik at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Heroku or Traefik?
Traefik has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $7/month for Heroku and Free for Traefik.
Does Heroku or Traefik run on more platforms?
Heroku runs on Web, Api, Workers. Traefik runs on Kubernetes, Docker, Cloud.
Can I use Traefik for free?
Yes. Traefik 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 Traefik is typically brought in for.
What can Heroku do that Traefik cannot?
Heroku covers Git-based deployment, Buildpacks, Dynos (containers), Add-ons marketplace. Traefik covers API Gateway, Load Balancing, SSL/TLS Termination, Kubernetes.
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