Switching from Heroku to a $20 DigitalOcean Droplet: Building My Own App Platform | Toni Maxx | Oct 2025

What is Heroku, Anyway?

If you’re just starting out in web development, Heroku might sound foreign. It’s essentially a platform where you upload your code, and poof—your website goes live! You don’t have to fuss with servers or infrastructure.

“Heroku is a Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS). Focus on your code while they manage everything else.”

However, there’s a catch: cost. Starting at $25/month, expenses can skyrocket with additional features. That’s where Dokku shines, providing a similar experience at a fraction of the price. It uses Docker under the hood but simplifies your workflows so you don’t need prior knowledge.

Why Choose Dokku?

  • Multi-App Magic: Deploy multiple apps on one server without interference.
  • Framework Agnostic: Supports various languages and frameworks out of the box.
  • Cost-Effective: With savings of up to $2,000 per year, it’s perfect for indie developers and small teams.

Ready to take ownership of your hosting? Dokku might just be your solution for affordable and flexible deployments.

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