Heroku vs Cloudflare Workers AI
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. Heroku starts at $5/mo and Cloudflare Workers AI starts at $5/mo. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
Serverless inference for open models on Cloudflare's global network
Freemium · $5/moAt 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
- Global GPU inference
- Text, image and speech models
- Vectorize integration
- AI Gateway
- LoRA support
| Feature | Heroku | Cloudflare Workers AI |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | App platform with managed AI inference, agents and MCP | Serverless inference for open models on Cloudflare's global network |
| Category | Models & APIs | Models & APIs |
| Pricing model | Paid | Freemium |
| Starting price | $5/mo | $5/mo |
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| Made by | Salesforce (Heroku) | Cloudflare |
| Based in | United States | United States |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
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Pricing compared
Heroku starts at $5/mo and Cloudflare Workers AI starts at $5/mo. 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
2 plans
Workers Free
Free
- 10,000 Neurons per day
- Fails with error past daily limit
Workers Paid
$5/mo
- 10,000 free Neurons per day
- Then $0.011 per 1,000 Neurons
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
Cloudflare Workers AI
- No servers to manage
- Daily free allowance
- Fits the Cloudflare developer stack
- Smaller models than big labs offer
- Neuron pricing is unusual
- Best inside Cloudflare Workers
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 Cloudflare Workers AI if you want:
- No servers to manage
- Daily free allowance
- Fits the Cloudflare developer stack
Watch out: smaller models than big labs offer.
Heroku vs Cloudflare Workers AI FAQ
What is the difference between Heroku and Cloudflare Workers AI?
Heroku: App platform with managed AI inference, agents and MCP. Cloudflare Workers AI: Serverless inference for open models on Cloudflare's global network. Both are models & apis tools.
Is Heroku or Cloudflare Workers AI cheaper?
Heroku starts at $5/mo and Cloudflare Workers AI starts at $5/mo. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
Do Heroku and Cloudflare Workers AI have free plans?
Heroku: No. Cloudflare Workers AI: Yes.
Who makes Heroku?
Heroku is made by Salesforce (Heroku), based in United States.
Who makes Cloudflare Workers AI?
Cloudflare Workers AI is made by Cloudflare, based in United States.
Which should I choose, Heroku or Cloudflare Workers AI?
Choose Heroku if you value simple git or docker deployment and ai inference alongside the app host. Choose Cloudflare Workers AI if you value no servers to manage and daily free allowance.