kitio.aiHeroku vs Merge
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. Heroku has the lower starting price: about $5 a month, against $650 for Merge.
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
- Unified integrations API
- Agent Handler tool connectors
- LLM routing gateway
- Employee AI governance
- Integration observability
| Feature | Heroku | Merge |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | App platform with managed AI inference, agents and MCP | Unified API, agent tool connectors and LLM gateway for AI products |
| Category | Models & APIs | Models & APIs |
| Pricing model | Paid | Freemium |
| Starting price | $5/mo | $650/mo |
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| Made by | Salesforce (Heroku) | Merge API |
| Based in | United States | United States |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
|
|
Pricing compared
Heroku has the lower starting price: about $5 a month, against $650 for Merge.
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
3 plans
Free
Free
- 3 production linked accounts
- Basic functionality
Launch
$650/mo
- Up to 10 linked accounts
- $65 per extra linked account
Professional
Contact sales
- Contract-based pricing
- Deep integration use cases
Prices in USD, checked Nov 5, 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
Merge
- One API for hundreds of integrations
- Covers data, tools and models
- SOC 2 and HIPAA compliance
- Paid plan starts at $650 a month
- Charges per linked account beyond 10
- Professional tier needs a contract
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 Merge if you want:
- One API for hundreds of integrations
- Covers data, tools and models
- SOC 2 and HIPAA compliance
Watch out: paid plan starts at $650 a month.
Heroku vs Merge FAQ
What is the difference between Heroku and Merge?
Heroku: App platform with managed AI inference, agents and MCP. Merge: Unified API, agent tool connectors and LLM gateway for AI products. Both are models & apis tools.
Is Heroku or Merge cheaper?
Heroku has the lower starting price: about $5 a month, against $650 for Merge.
Do Heroku and Merge have free plans?
Heroku: No. Merge: Yes.
Who makes Heroku?
Heroku is made by Salesforce (Heroku), based in United States.
Who makes Merge?
Merge is made by Merge API, based in United States.
Which should I choose, Heroku or Merge?
Choose Heroku if you value simple git or docker deployment and ai inference alongside the app host. Choose Merge if you value one api for hundreds of integrations and covers data, tools and models.