Supported Technologies

What is Heroku?

Heroku is a cloud platform as a service (PaaS) that enables developers to build, run, and manage applications entirely in the cloud. It was acquired by Salesforce in 2010 and is now part of the Salesforce Platform. Heroku provides a simple and flexible way to deploy, run, and manage web applications, with minimal setup required.

Developers can use Heroku to deploy their applications using a variety of programming languages, including Ruby, Java, Python, PHP, and more. The platform automatically manages the infrastructure, so developers don't have to worry about things like server maintenance, security updates, or scaling resources as their applications grow.

What languages does Heroku support?

The platform supports a wide range of programming languages, including Ruby, Java, Node.js, Python, and more. It also integrates with various databases, including PostgreSQL, MySQL, and MongoDB. Heroku offers various features such as version control, scaling, monitoring, and security.

Developers who use Heroku often also often cite that the large community of developers help with information-sharing. Not to mention, there is a vast library of add-ons that Heroku developers use to enhance the functionality of applications.

What is Heroku often compared to?

Heroku is often compared to other cloud-based platforms that offer similar services, such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform (GCP), and Microsoft Azure. While all of these platforms provide cloud-based infrastructure and services, there are some key differences between them and Heroku.

One of the primary differences between Heroku and other cloud-based platforms is the level of abstraction provided to developers. Heroku is a fully managed platform that abstracts away much of the underlying infrastructure, making it easy for developers to focus on building and deploying applications. In contrast, other cloud-based platforms like AWS and GCP offer more control over the underlying infrastructure, but also require more management and maintenance from developers.

Another difference between Heroku and other platforms is the pricing model. Heroku charges based on the number of dynos (application containers) used to run an application, whereas other platforms typically charge based on the amount of resources used, such as CPU usage or storage.

Heroku is also known for its strong support for web applications, particularly those built using Ruby on Rails. Other platforms may provide better support for other types of applications, such as machine learning or big data applications.

Overall, the choice of a cloud-based platform depends on the specific needs of the application and the preferences of the development team. Heroku is a popular choice for developers who value simplicity and ease of use, while other platforms may be more suitable for applications with more complex infrastructure requirements.

Heroku in China

There are two aspects to Heroku in China, the first - as a platform, and the second, as a platform used to build websites and web applications.

Heroku application: Heroku users in China may experience slow or unreliable connections when attempting to access Heroku applications hosted outside of China. Similarly,

Heroku websites: Similar to Heroku applications, websites built using Heroku encounter performance and deliverability issues in China unless they have been optimized specifically for onshore delivery.

Chinafy for Heroku

Chinafy can be integrated with Heroku-built websites to accelerate the website’s performance for visitors in China. Additionally, Chinafy is able to uniquely scan, detect, and resolve third-party resource issues that surface when a Heroku website is accessed from China, without impacting how the Heroku website loads or functions for non-China visitors.

Curious about how your Heroku website loads from China? Use our visual speed testing tool for free or submit your site using our Get Started form.