Heroku vs Anyscale
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. Heroku starts at $5/mo and Anyscale starts at See pricing page. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
At a glance
Best for
Category
Pricing model
Starting price
Free plan
Made by
Based in
Rating
Key features
- Managed AI inference
- Agents and MCP
- Dyno-based app hosting
- Managed data services
- Add-on marketplace
- Git and Docker deploys
- Managed Ray clusters
- Ray Serve for LLMs
- Batch inference
- Workspaces
- Runs in your cloud
| Feature | Heroku | Anyscale |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | App platform with managed AI inference, agents and MCP | Managed Ray platform for scaling AI training, data and serving |
| Category | Models & APIs | Models & APIs |
| Pricing model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting price | $5/mo | See pricing page |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Made by | Salesforce (Heroku) | Anyscale |
| Based in | United States | United States |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
|
|
Pricing compared
Heroku starts at $5/mo and Anyscale starts at See pricing page. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
4 plans
Eco
$5/mo
- Personal accounts only
- Sleeps after 30 minutes idle
- Git and Docker deploys
Basic
$7/mo
- Always on
- Everything in Eco
Standard-1X
$25/mo
- Per dyno
- Can combine with Performance dynos
Performance-M
$250/mo
- Per dyno
- 2.5 GB memory
- Everything in Standard
Prices in USD, checked Oct 28, 2026 or later. Plans change often, so confirm on each tool's site before you buy.
Pros and cons
Heroku
- Simple Git or Docker deployment
- AI inference alongside the app host
- Large marketplace of add-ons
- No free dyno tier listed
- Eco dynos sleep after 30 minutes idle
- Costs climb quickly at higher dyno sizes
Anyscale
- From the creators of Ray
- Scales data and training jobs
- Runs in your own cloud
- Ray has a learning curve
- Overkill for small projects
- Costs hard to estimate
Which one should you choose?
Choose Heroku if you want:
- Simple Git or Docker deployment
- AI inference alongside the app host
- Large marketplace of add-ons
Watch out: no free dyno tier listed.
Choose Anyscale if you want:
- From the creators of Ray
- Scales data and training jobs
- Runs in your own cloud
Watch out: ray has a learning curve.
Heroku vs Anyscale FAQ
What is the difference between Heroku and Anyscale?
Heroku: App platform with managed AI inference, agents and MCP. Anyscale: Managed Ray platform for scaling AI training, data and serving. Both are models & apis tools.
Is Heroku or Anyscale cheaper?
Heroku starts at $5/mo and Anyscale starts at See pricing page. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
Do Heroku and Anyscale have free plans?
Heroku: No. Anyscale: No.
Who makes Heroku?
Heroku is made by Salesforce (Heroku), based in United States.
Who makes Anyscale?
Anyscale is made by Anyscale, based in United States.
Which should I choose, Heroku or Anyscale?
Choose Heroku if you value simple git or docker deployment and ai inference alongside the app host. Choose Anyscale if you value from the creators of ray and scales data and training jobs.