Heroku costs $7/mo.
These cost $0.
3 free alternatives to Heroku, checked for license, recent activity and real adoption. Each one tells you the catch, so you can switch with your eyes open.
Heroku vs Free Alternatives Matrix
Quick side-by-side comparison · $0/mo vs $7/mo
| Alternative | Type | License | Where It Runs | Stars | Head-to-Head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coolify | open source | Apache-2.0 | Local or hosted | ★ 57k | Heroku vs Coolify → |
| Dokploy | open source | Apache-2.0 | Local or hosted | ★ 36k | Heroku vs Dokploy → |
| Dokku | open source | MIT | Self-host | ★ 32k | Heroku vs Dokku → |
The picks
3 open source · ranked by fit
- 01
Coolify
open sourceApache-2.0Local or hosted57kaug 2026Heroku on your own server, including Git deploys, TLS, logs, databases, and scheduled backups.
The catch vs HerokuCoolify recreates Git deploys, TLS, logs, and databases, but the VPS, operating-system patching, backups, uptime, and incident response now belong to you rather than Heroku.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hostedself-host, real ops
- install
- Coolify Cloud signup or one-line install script on a fresh Linux server
- setup
- A VPS with root SSH access, open ports, DNS, and responsibility for server patching and application-data backups
- your data
- Self-hosted control data is in an internal PostgreSQL container; deployed apps and databases remain in Docker containers, volumes, and configuration on the user's servers
- checked
- 2026-08-10
- 02
Dokploy
open sourceApache-2.0Local or hosted36kaug 2026A newer self-hosted PaaS for apps and databases, with previews, TLS, logs, and backups in the same control plane.
The catch vs HerokuDokploy offers a modern self-hosted PaaS, but it lacks Heroku's provider-managed dynos, add-on marketplace, support, and hands-off infrastructure.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hostedself-host, real ops
- install
- Dokploy Cloud signup or one-line install script on a Linux VPS
- setup
- A VPS with at least 2 GB RAM, free ports 80/443/3000, DNS, and ongoing Docker/server administration
- your data
- Dokploy metadata is stored in PostgreSQL; application and database data lives in Docker named volumes or bind mounts on the deployment servers, with optional S3 backups
- checked
- 2026-08-10
- 03
Dokku
open sourceMITSelf-host32kaug 2026The original tiny Heroku-on-one-box; excellent once you are comfortable treating a server like a pet.
The catch vs HerokuDokku is the closest small Heroku-shaped experience, but it is command-line-first and turns dyno, router, database, backup, and host failures into your own pager duty.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- desktopself-hostedcliself-host, real ops
- install
- Bootstrap script on a fresh supported Ubuntu or Debian VM, then add an SSH key and domain
- setup
- A fresh Linux VM, sudo/SSH competence, DNS, and command-line-only administration
- your data
- Application images, configuration, logs, and persistent Docker volumes live on the user's server; service data lives in installed database-plugin volumes
- checked
- 2026-08-10
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers · Heroku open-source replacements
What is the best free alternative to Heroku?+
The top free alternative to Heroku is Coolify (open source, Apache-2.0). Heroku on your own server, including Git deploys, TLS, logs, databases, and scheduled backups. Other popular Heroku replacements include Dokploy, Dokku.
Can I self-host a free replacement for Heroku?+
Yes. Of the 3 free alternatives to Heroku, 3 can be self-hosted on your own server or local machine: Coolify (Apache-2.0), Dokploy (Apache-2.0), Dokku (MIT).
How much does switching from Heroku to a free alternative save?+
Heroku starts at $7/month per seat ($84/year). Switching a 5-person team to a free alternative like Coolify saves $420 per year in software subscription fees.
Should I vibe-code or build my own Heroku clone from scratch?+
Our build verdict for Heroku is NOT REALLY (use a free alternative, save the tokens). A consolation build is possible, but the paid product's decisive value sits outside a solo rebuild. For Heroku, deploy one containerized app with logs and a managed reverse proxy on a user server. The hard boundary is managed runtime, add-ons, buildpacks, databases, support, and operational maturity, plus infrastructure scale, operations, and reliability.
What is the catch when switching from Heroku to Coolify?+
Coolify recreates Git deploys, TLS, logs, and databases, but the VPS, operating-system patching, backups, uptime, and incident response now belong to you rather than Heroku.
