kitio.aiHeroku vs NVIDIA TensorRT
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. NVIDIA TensorRT is completely free, while Heroku is paid.
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
- Inference compiler and runtime
- Layer and tensor fusion
- FP8, FP4, INT8 and INT4 quantization
- Model Optimizer
- Edge to data center deployment
| Feature | Heroku | NVIDIA TensorRT |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | App platform with managed AI inference, agents and MCP | SDK that compiles and optimizes models for fast inference on NVIDIA GPUs |
| Category | Models & APIs | Models & APIs |
| Pricing model | Paid | Free |
| Starting price | $5/mo | Free |
| Free plan | No | Yes, fully free |
| Made by | Salesforce (Heroku) | NVIDIA |
| Based in | United States | United States |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
|
|
Pricing compared
NVIDIA TensorRT is completely free, while Heroku is paid.
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 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
NVIDIA TensorRT
- Large latency and throughput gains
- Works with models from major frameworks
- Free to download
- Only runs on NVIDIA GPUs
- Engines must be rebuilt per GPU type
- Tuning precision takes expertise
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 NVIDIA TensorRT if you want:
- Large latency and throughput gains
- Works with models from major frameworks
- Free to download
Watch out: only runs on nvidia gpus.
Heroku vs NVIDIA TensorRT FAQ
What is the difference between Heroku and NVIDIA TensorRT?
Heroku: App platform with managed AI inference, agents and MCP. NVIDIA TensorRT: SDK that compiles and optimizes models for fast inference on NVIDIA GPUs. Both are models & apis tools.
Is Heroku or NVIDIA TensorRT cheaper?
NVIDIA TensorRT is completely free, while Heroku is paid.
Do Heroku and NVIDIA TensorRT have free plans?
Heroku: No. NVIDIA TensorRT: Yes, fully free.
Who makes Heroku?
Heroku is made by Salesforce (Heroku), based in United States.
Who makes NVIDIA TensorRT?
NVIDIA TensorRT is made by NVIDIA, based in United States.
Which should I choose, Heroku or NVIDIA TensorRT?
Choose Heroku if you value simple git or docker deployment and ai inference alongside the app host. Choose NVIDIA TensorRT if you value large latency and throughput gains and works with models from major frameworks.