Serversinc vs Heroku
Looking for a Heroku alternative? Serversinc lets you deploy apps to your own servers with a simple dashboard, HTTPS, logging, and zero platform lock-in.
What is Heroku?
Heroku is a cloud PaaS that helps developers deploy and scale apps without managing servers. It’s known for simplicity and managed services like databases and caching. While ideal for teams wanting zero ops, it comes with higher costs and less flexibility over infrastructure.
Best for:
- Startups and small teams that want a fully managed platform.
- Developers who prefer a simple, abstracted deployment process.
- Teams that need built-in services like databases, caching, and monitoring.
- Anyone who values ease of use over full control of their infrastructure.
What is Serversinc?
Serversinc combines the best parts of a PaaS with the flexibility and cost-efficiency of self-hosting. Deploy Dockerized apps on your own VPS with Traefik-powered auto HTTPS, logging, deploy hooks, and full control over your infrastructure — all without vendor lock-in.
Best for:
- Freelancers and indie developers who want a Heroku-like workflow without high recurring costs.
- Agencies deploying client apps to private infrastructure with a PaaS-style dashboard.
- Teams looking to reduce platform dependency and retain ownership of their hosting stack.
- Developers who want full control over infrastructure without manually managing deployments.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Serversinc | Heroku |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting | Your own VPS managed via Serversinc SaaS | Fully managed cloud platform |
| Reverse Proxy & HTTPS | Traefik auto HTTPS via agent | Built-in SSL routing |
| CI/CD | Deploy hooks, GitHub Actions, CLI | Git deploys & pipelines |
| Logs & Monitoring | Dashboard logs, Slack/Discord alerts | Logplex + third-party monitoring |
| Database Options | BYO database container | Managed Postgres add-ons |
| Pricing | £9/mo + VPS (~£3.60) | $7/mo per dyno + DB cost |
| Infrastructure Ownership | Full control — own your stack | Limited — runs on Heroku infra |
| Migration Flexibility | No lock-in, move anytime | Tied to Heroku stack |
When to Use Each Platform
Use Serversinc if…
- You want a PaaS-style experience but prefer to host on your own VPS.
- You’re cost-conscious and want predictable, scalable infrastructure.
- You need flexibility to migrate apps or providers at any time.
Use Heroku if…
- You want a truly hands-off experience with managed services.
- You prioritize speed and convenience over customization or cost.
- You don’t need deep infrastructure control or migration flexibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Serversinc self-hosted?
No, Serversinc is a SaaS platform that manages your self-hosted infrastructure. You retain full control of your servers and data.
How does Serversinc deploy to my servers?
It uses Tugboat, a lightweight Docker agent, to manage deployments, logs, and HTTPS on your servers.
Can I migrate apps from Heroku to Serversinc?
Yes. Any Docker-compatible app can be deployed to your VPS with Serversinc.
What kind of VPS works with Serversinc?
Any VPS like Hetzner, DigitalOcean, or AWS. You can connect existing servers or provision new ones.
Try Serversinc — A flexible alternative to Heroku
Deploy modern apps to your own infrastructure with zero friction. Keep control, lower your costs, and scale however you like.
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