The Heroku Experience, On Your Own Server.
Heroku removed its free tier and raised prices. sh0 gives you the same git-push workflow, auto-SSL, and one-click databases -- on any $5/mo VPS. Free forever for 1 app.
The verdict: sh0 gives you everything that made Heroku great -- git push deploys, auto-SSL, managed databases, add-ons -- but on your own server, at a flat price, with a built-in Claude AI assistant and full data ownership.
Feature-by-feature comparison
How sh0 stacks up against Heroku on the features that matter.
| Feature | sh0 | Heroku |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier | Forever (1 stack) | Removed in 2022 |
| Git push deploy | GitHub / GitLab / Bitbucket | Yes |
| Auto-SSL | Let's Encrypt (Caddy) | Paid add-on |
| Managed databases | PostgreSQL, MySQL, Redis, MongoDB | Expensive add-ons |
| Templates | 170 templates | Elements marketplace |
| Built-in AI assistant | 27 tools, Claude, MCP | -- |
| AI sandbox | Debug in isolated container | -- |
| CLI push deploy | sh0 push: one-command deploy | git push heroku main |
| CLI commands | 30+, JSON output, CI/CD | heroku CLI |
| Pricing model | $0--$97/mo flat | $5--$50+/mo per dyno |
| Data ownership | Your server | Heroku servers |
| Vendor lock-in | Export to 7 platforms | Locked in |
| Stack auto-detection | 19 stacks | Buildpacks |
| Code health check | 34 rules pre-deploy | -- |
| MCP server | Streamable HTTP (Claude Desktop, Cursor) | -- |
| Mobile app | sh0 Manager (iOS & Android) | -- |
Why developers switch from Heroku
Real problems, real solutions.
"Heroku costs $25/mo for my hobby project with 100 users."
sh0 Free tier is $0 forever. Pro is $19/mo for unlimited apps on your own VPS.
"My data is on Heroku servers and I cannot export easily."
sh0 runs on your VPS. Export to Docker Compose, Kubernetes, Vercel, Railway, Render, AWS ECS, or GCP Cloud Run.
"No AI to help when deploys break at 2 AM."
sh0 has a built-in Claude AI assistant that reads logs, explains errors, debugs in a sandbox, and restarts apps.
What makes sh0 different
Built-in Claude AI
27 tools that read logs, debug in a sandbox, and restart apps. Connect via MCP from Claude Desktop or Cursor. No other PaaS has this.
CLI with sh0 push
Same git-push workflow as Heroku, plus one-command local deploy. Stack detection, health check, live in 35 seconds.
Own Your Data
Your server, your data. Export to Docker Compose, Kubernetes, AWS ECS, Vercel, Railway, Render anytime. Zero vendor lock-in.
Beyond Deployment: Full Backend Services
Heroku requires add-ons for everything beyond basic deployment. sh0 includes a complete backend stack.
PostgREST API
Auto-generated REST API from your PostgreSQL tables. One-click enable.
Auth Service (Logto)
OIDC-compliant auth with social login, MFA, and admin console.
Realtime (Centrifugo)
WebSocket + SSE with channels, presence, and pub/sub messaging.
Serverless Functions (Deno)
TypeScript/JavaScript functions, HTTP-invokable with auto-SSL.
S3 File Storage (MinIO)
S3-compatible object storage with web console and access keys.
Email Hosting (Stalwart)
Full email hosting with DKIM/SPF/DMARC auto-configuration.
Pricing comparison
Flat monthly pricing versus per-dyno billing. The savings add up fast.
| Plan | sh0 | Heroku equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 app | $0/mo | $5--7/mo (Eco dyno) |
| 5 apps | $19/mo | $25--35/mo |
| 20 apps | $19/mo | $100+/mo |
| PostgreSQL | Included | $9--50/mo extra |
Ready to leave Heroku?
Install sh0 on any Linux server in 30 seconds. Free forever for 1 stack. No credit card required.