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AWS vs Heroku

A detailed comparison to help you choose the right tool for your needs.

AWS logo

AWS

Developer Tools

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VS
Heroku logo

Heroku

Developer Tools

Try Heroku

A
About AWS

AWS Developer Tools is a suite of services from Amazon Web Services designed to help development teams build, test, and deploy software efficiently. It includes CodeCommit (source control), CodeBuild (build automation), CodeDeploy (deployment automation), CodePipeline (CI/CD orchestration), and CodeArtifact (artifact management), among others. The tools integrate tightly with the broader AWS ecosystem, making them a natural choice for teams already running infrastructure on AWS. They're used by organizations ranging from startups to large enterprises who want a managed, scalable approach to DevOps without maintaining their own CI/CD infrastructure.

B
About Heroku

Heroku is a cloud platform-as-a-service (PaaS) that enables developers to build, deploy, and scale applications without managing underlying infrastructure. It supports languages like Ruby, Python, Node.js, Java, PHP, Go, and more, letting developers focus on code rather than server configuration. Originally known for its pioneering Git-based deployment workflow, Heroku is owned by Salesforce and offers a rich ecosystem of add-ons for databases, monitoring, caching, and other services. It's particularly popular among startups, indie developers, and teams that want to move fast without a dedicated DevOps team, though costs can escalate quickly at scale.

Pricing Comparison

Tool
AWS
Heroku
Price
Free — From $0.01 per build minute for CodeBuild
Free — From $7/mo
Category
Developer Tools
Developer Tools
Rating
4.0 (38)
3.9 (27)
Free Plan
No
No
Integrations
8+ apps
8+ apps
Founded
2006
2007

Feature Comparison

Feature
AWS
Heroku
CodeCommit for source control management
CodeBuild for automated build processes
CodeDeploy for application deployment
CodePipeline for CI/CD workflow automation
Cloud9 for cloud-based IDE
X-Ray for debugging and analysis
Supports multiple programming languages
Automated deployment from GitHub
Add-ons for extended functionality
Scalable cloud database options
Real-time application monitoring
Integrated logging and error tracking

Choose AWS

AWS Developer Tools provides a suite of services for continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD).

Try AWS Free

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Choose Heroku

Heroku is a cloud platform that enables developers to build, run, and operate applications entirely in the cloud.

Try Heroku Free

Read full review

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Score Comparison

Ease of Use
6.0
8.0
Features
9.0
9.0
Pricing
7.0
7.0
Support
8.0
7.0
Integrations
9.0
8.0
Overall
7.8
7.8
AWSHeroku

Our Verdict

AWSWinner

Your team requires robust CI/CD services and is comfortable with a more complex setup.

Better support
More integrations
Heroku

Your team prioritizes seamless cloud integration for diverse application types.

Easier to get started

AWS vs Heroku: The Bottom Line

Both AWS and Heroku are strong developer tools tools, but they serve different needs. AWS has a higher user rating (4.0 vs 3.9). On pricing, AWS is more affordable starting at $0.01/mo.

Still unsure? Check the full reviews for AWS and Heroku, explore AWS alternatives, or use our AI search to describe exactly what you need.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is AWS or Heroku better?

It depends on your needs. AWS (4.0★) is from $0.01/mo, while Heroku (3.9★) is from $7/mo. AWS has a higher user rating.

Can I switch from AWS to Heroku?

Yes. Most SaaS tools offer data export features. Check if Heroku has a migration guide or import tool specifically for AWS users. Many offer onboarding assistance for switchers.

Which is cheaper, AWS or Heroku?

AWS starts at $0.01/mo, which is cheaper than Heroku at $7/mo.

What are the main differences between AWS and Heroku?

AWS focuses on codecommit for source control management and codebuild for automated build processes, while Heroku emphasizes supports multiple programming languages and automated deployment from github. Both are in the Developer Tools category but serve slightly different use cases.