Heroku and Vercel are both popular hosting platforms, but they solve fundamentally different problems. Comparing them head-to-head is like comparing a truck to a sedan — both get you from A to B, but they’re built for different loads.
Here’s when to use each, and when to use neither.
They’re Not Really Competitors
Heroku is a Platform-as-a-Service for backend applications. It runs your Node.js server, Python API, Ruby on Rails app, or Java service as a long-running process. It’s built for apps that need persistent servers.
Vercel is an edge-first platform for frontend and full-stack JavaScript. It’s built for Next.js, React, and static sites. Backend logic runs as serverless functions, not persistent servers.
Choosing between them depends on what you’re building, not which is “better.”
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Heroku | Vercel |
|---|---|---|
| Primary use case | Backend apps, APIs, workers | Frontend, Next.js, static sites |
| Execution model | Long-running processes (dynos) | Serverless functions + edge |
| Languages | Node, Python, Ruby, Java, Go, PHP | JavaScript/TypeScript (primarily) |
| Database | Add-on (Postgres, Redis) | Vercel Postgres, KV, Blob |
| Starting price | $5/mo (Eco, sleeps) | Free (hobby) |
| Always-on | $7/mo (Basic dyno) | N/A (serverless, no sleeping concept) |
| WebSockets | Yes | Limited (serverless) |
| Background jobs | Yes (worker dynos) | Via Vercel Cron or external |
| SSH access | No | No |
| Git deploy | Yes | Yes (automatic) |
| Preview deploys | Review Apps (paid) | Every PR (all plans) |
| CDN/Edge | No built-in CDN | Global edge network |
When to Use Heroku
Heroku makes sense when your app is a long-running server process:
- REST APIs and GraphQL servers that need persistent connections
- Background workers processing queues (Sidekiq, Celery, Bull)
- WebSocket applications (chat, real-time collaboration)
- Cron jobs and scheduled tasks that run on a timer
- Python/Ruby/Java backends that don’t fit the serverless model
- Apps with persistent state that need in-memory caching or local file storage
When to Use Vercel
Vercel makes sense when you’re building a frontend-first or Next.js application:
- Next.js apps — Vercel is literally built by the Next.js team
- Static sites and JAMstack — blogs, marketing pages, documentation
- React/Vue/Svelte SPAs with API routes
- Apps that benefit from edge deployment — global CDN, fast TTFB
- Preview deploys for every PR — built-in, no configuration
Where Both Fall Short
Despite their differences, Heroku and Vercel share some limitations:
No real server access. Neither gives you SSH. You can’t install custom system packages, debug with familiar Linux tools, or run arbitrary processes. You’re limited to what the platform supports.
Pricing complexity. Heroku stacks add-on costs. Vercel charges per-function invocation and bandwidth on paid plans. Neither has simple flat monthly pricing.
Not built for AI-generated apps. Neither platform has native CLI or MCP tooling for AI agent deployment — an increasingly important workflow as more developers build with Claude Code, Cursor, and similar tools.
The Third Option
If your app doesn’t fit neatly into Heroku’s “persistent server” or Vercel’s “serverless frontend” model — or if you want simpler pricing and real server access — there are platforms that take a different approach entirely.
For a comprehensive comparison of Heroku alternatives that offer flat pricing, SSH access, and AI-native deployment, see our Heroku alternative guide.
Bottom Line
- Building a Next.js frontend? → Vercel, without question
- Running a Python/Ruby/Java backend? → Heroku (or its modern alternatives)
- Full-stack app with both frontend and backend? → You might need both, or a platform that handles everything
Don’t choose based on popularity. Choose based on what your app actually needs.