Dokku vs Heroku: Pricing Comparison 2026
Side-by-side pricing comparison of Dokku and Heroku. See all plans, features, and costs at a glance.
Bottom line: Dokku starts at Custom pricing and Heroku starts at $5/mo. Compare all 5 pricing tiers side by side.
Last updated: March 16, 2026
Dokku vs Heroku: Quick Pricing Facts
| Feature | Dokku | Heroku |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | Custom pricing | $5/mo |
| Number of Plans | 1 | 4 |
| Free Tier | Yes | No |
| Pricing Model | open-source | usage-based |
| Annual Discount | N/A | N/A |
Dokku and Heroku are both priced at Custom pricing, making them equally accessible Hosting & Infra tools. Together they offer 5 pricing plans with 18 features compared, so the best choice comes down to which features match your needs.
Dokku stands out with a free plan for getting started. Dokku uses open-source pricing while Heroku uses usage-based pricing, which may affect your total cost at scale.
Review the detailed tier-by-tier comparison above to see exactly which features are included at each price point and find the best fit for your Hosting & Infra needs.
| Pricing Plans |  Dokku Try it free |  Heroku Try it free |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | ||
| Tier 2 | — | |
| Tier 3 | — | Standard 1xPopular $25/monthCheapest Includes
|
| Tier 4 | — | Performance M $250/monthCheapest Includes
|
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Which Should You Choose?
Choose Dokku if:
- •You need a free plan with Open-source PaaS, Docker-based—Dokku offers no-cost access with no credit card required
- •You prioritize Dokku's user experience and interface over price (both tools are similarly priced)
- •You need predictable billing — Dokku's open-source model avoids surprise overages
Choose Heroku if:
- •You need 4 pricing tiers for flexible team sizing—more options mean less overpaying for features you don't need
- •You want more features built-in—Heroku offers 10 additional features across its plans
- •You prioritize Heroku's user experience and interface over price (both tools are similarly priced)
Dokku offers a free plan [1], eliminating the cost barrier for evaluation, while Heroku requires paid subscription from the start. This gives Dokku a significant advantage for teams with budget constraints or extended trial periods. Once you outgrow Dokku's free tier, upgrading to a paid plan at approximately Custom pricing provides substantial additional functionality. Compare this pricing path against Heroku's tiering starting at $5/mo to assess total cost of ownership over 12 months. Dokku's 1 tier provide flexibility at different budgets, while Heroku's 4 tiers structure may force you into higher-cost plans than necessary for your use case. If evaluation cost matters to your decision, Dokku is the obvious starting point with zero financial commitment. Use the free tier to validate core functionality before committing to paid plans from either tool.
Frequently Asked Questions: Dokku vs Heroku
How many pricing plans does Dokku have vs Heroku?
Does Dokku or Heroku offer a free plan?
What is the most popular Heroku plan?
What pricing models do Dokku and Heroku use?
How do Dokku and Heroku compare for Hosting & Infra?
Sources
- Dokku Official Pricing— Vendor pricing page
- Heroku Official Pricing— Vendor pricing page
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