Heroku vs Force.com Differences Explained

Are you looking to understand the differences between Heroku and Force.com better? Here is an in-depth analysis of both platforms, including core features and pricing structure.

For programmers and organizations that want to focus on writing and improving the code of their web deployments, platform as a service implementations are incredibly valuable.

These platforms eliminate the need to build and manage backend infrastructures, offering a wide range of development tools and services that can be used to build and deploy apps quickly and easily.

Two of the most popular cloud platform providers are Heroku and Force.com (now Salesforce). While both can be categorized as PaaS implementations, Heroku and Salesforce are primarily suited for vastly different workloads and development environments.

In the following post, we take a detailed look at the features of each of these platforms. If you are interested in deploying one for your upcoming projects, continue reading to get more insights on where each of them is more useful.

What is Heroku?

Heroku is one of the first cloud platform-as-a-service implementations of its kind that offers a complete set of tools and services to test, build, deploy, and manage modern applications entirely in the cloud.

When it was launched in 2007, Heroku originally only supported Ruby but now supports a wide range of languages including PHP, Python, Node.js, Scala, Java, etc.

Being a PaaS implementation, Heroku allows developers to focus on building their core application by eliminating the need to build and maintain hardware, servers, and backend infrastructure.

It provides a wide range of tools, services, and workflows to enhance the productivity of the developers, thereby reducing the time to market.

Heroku features

  • Heroku Runtime: Developers can run applications via Linux-based containers called Dynos. Each dyno comes with a fully managed runtime application and supports a wide range of programming languages.
  • Elements: Heroku Elements is the company’s marketplace where users can purchase additional dynos, resources, add-ons, etc. With add-ons for storage, notifications, authentication, etc., developers can make their applications feature-rich and offer additional functionalities.
  • Heroku OpEx: The Heroku Operational Experience allows developers to identify bugs and address them quickly by notifying them whenever the app runs into some problems. The platform provides indispensable app benchmarks and threshold warnings.
  • Security: The Heroku cloud and all the app data on the platform undergo regular security audits, meaning developers can focus on building and testing their code without server security concerns.

Heroku pricing

Heroku offers a tiered pricing structure depending on the number of dynos, i.e., isolated Linux containers where the app runs. The 4 tiers include:

  • Free: 550-1000 dyno hours per month for non-commercial applications and personal projects.
  • Standard: starting from $25 per dyno per month for business-focused apps and APIs.
  • Performance: starting from $250 per dyno per month for high-traffic, low latency apps, and APIs with predictable performance and autoscaling.
  • Private: custom pricing for apps requiring network isolated, private data services.

What is Force.com?

Force.com is now the Salesforce Platform, a company that provides cloud-based customer relationship management (CRM) software solutions.

The low-code platform can be used to create and deploy scalable, insight-driven applications with the help of integrated workflows in Slack and AI.

It can be used by businessowners and teams not proficient in handling code to create engaging digital experiences using click-based, customizable components.

The Salesforce platform is designed with built-in security and trust, allowing developers to integrate disparate data sources and systems with API-led services.

The fully managed platform can be used to deploy applications faster with simplified DevOps and open technologies. Force.com is available in two priced tiers and a custom enterprise-level tier for handling specific needs.

Force.com features

  • Contact management: Organizations can get a complete view of their customers, including activity history, communications, and internal discussions. Uncover additional insights by using the social content of the customers to understand their reaction to your products and services.
  • Opportunity management: Salesforce allows organizations to view and manage all their sales deals while staying connected to all the important touchpoints. The platform provides an activity-rich timeline highlighting critical details, allowing users to analyze the competition and make necessary moves.
  • Activity management: Salesforce integrations for Outlook and Gmail allow developers to view every customer interaction and keep the entire team up to date with the latest updates. The platform automatically captures and organizes necessary data so that the sales teams can focus on selling.
  • Reports and dashboards: The CRM analytics software allows the sales teams to build custom reports and sales forecasting easily with drag-and-drop fields. Users get a real-time view of all charts and track team performance with the help of sales reporting tools, dashboards, etc. Finally, the platform also allows users to check key business metrics and make informed business decisions.

Force.com pricing

The Salesforce platform is available in two tiers, i.e., Starter, and Plus. Additional objects and dependencies can be added on monthly and annual contracts.

  • Platform Starter: Access 10 custom objects for $25 per user per month.
  • Platform Plus: Access 110 custom objects for $100 per user per month with additional features like AI-powered predictions, a productivity console, etc.

Force.com vs Heroku Comparison Table

Heroku may be a better option for apps not tied to Salesforce; it supports multiple programming languages and frameworks and is a more flexible environment.

Force.com or Salesforce platform is ideal for creating applications running on the Salesforce ecosystem. It allows users to customize the experience within Salesforce applications and is a more controlled environment.

Both platforms will deliver a read-use-use cloud environment providing operating systems, virtualization, storage, and network.

HerokuForce.com
OverviewPaaS service that allows developers to build, run, and operate apps. Low-code platform to build scalable apps.
Year Foundation20071999
FocusDeveloper centricCitizen developers can also create apps
FlexibilityMore flexible environmentMore controlled environment
Visual DevelopmentNoYes
Core FeaturesContainer platform
Continuous delivery
Continuos integration
Mobile apps builder
AI
Privacy and Identity
Free TierYesNo
PricingHobby – $7/dyno/month
Standard – $25/dyno/month
Performance – $250/dyno/month
Starter – $25/month/user
Plus – $100/month/user
Featured CustomersHotel Engine
THINKMD
Yobota
Deloitte
Financial Times
Invisalign

This Quora Answer from Gary Breavington is also helpful. For a more technical comparison, this StackExchange is worth reading.

Conclusion

Initially launched in 2007, Heroku was acquired by Salesforce in 2011 and is now offered as a part of the Salesforce platform.

While Heroku is a high-productivity platform that is more suited for building applications from scratch, the low-code implementation of Force.com is a high-control environment that allows even novice developers to build and deploy applications that can meet their compliance needs.

If you are confused about which platform to use for your next project, consider getting in touch with an expert from one of the leading app hosting companies, who will thoroughly assess your requirements and suggest you the best software solutions accordingly.

FAQ

What is Heroku?

Heroku is a container-based cloud PaaS solution that allows companies to build, run, and operate modern applications entirely on the cloud. It is one of the first cloud platforms of its kind and supports a wide range of languages.

What is Force.com?

Force.com (now Salesforce) is a popular CRM app development software and low-code platform that allows companies to build, automate, and scale modern applications easily.

What are the differences between Heroku and Force.com

– Heroku is a PaaS platform acquired by Salesforce in 2011
– Force.com is not Salesforce Platform
– Heroku is developer centric
– Force.com allows citizen developers to build applications
– Heroku’s providers a free tier
– Salesforce Platform has a $25 and a $100 per user per month plans


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