Since Heroku killed their free and cheap tiers, what are the top modern PaaS options that let me deploy web apps with a simple git push just like the old days?
Fan-out diagram
Seed → topic clusters → sub-queries, per model.
Badge and edge weight = share of passes that produced the query. Hover a query for its intent and routing format.
Query classes
Google's semantic query class for every sub-query: what kind of answer each search is after, simulated vs real.
Classes come from the query-classifier (a local Laya model). 15 of 33 calls are low-confidence (under 50%) — hover a query in the table to see its confidence.
What the models actually searched
Each model answered the query with its own web search. These are the searches it ran, matched to the closest simulated query.
- https\://render.com · render.com
- Pricing · render.com
- Deployment docs · render.com
- https\://railway.com · railway.com
- Pricing · railway.com
- Documentation · docs.railway.com
- https\://www\.digitalocean.com/products/app-platform · digitalocean.com
- Pricing · digitalocean.com
- Documentation · docs.digitalocean.com
- https\://northflank.com · northflank.com
- Pricing · northflank.com
- Documentation · northflank.com
- https\://fly.io · fly.io
- Pricing · fly.io
- Documentation · fly.io
- coolify.io · coolify.io
- dokku.com · dokku.com
- Top Heroku Alternatives · fly.io
- Top 11 Heroku Alternatives for Cloud Deployment in 2026 · digitalocean.com
- Website · vercel.com
- Website · netlify.com
- Website · upsun.com
Semantic map
Every query placed by meaning (EmbeddingGemma 2, 256-d). Shaded regions are topics, nearby points are near-paraphrases, and a circle's size is how often the query came back.
Queries
| Query / type | Search | Intent | Query class | Routing format | Cluster | Freq ↓ | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
best heroku alternatives with free tier git push deployment REFORMULATION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Find direct substitutes for Heroku that offer easy git push deployment and cost-effective or free tiers. | Comparison | comparison_table | paas with git push deployment | 2x of 3 | |
render vs railway vs fly io pricing and features COMPARATIVE | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Compare the top three modern PaaS providers directly. | Comparison | review_roundup | cloud hosting pricing and limits | 2x of 3 | |
how to migrate from heroku to render REFORMULATION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Find a step-by-step migration guide for moving an existing Heroku application to Render. | Instruction | tutorial_video/transcript | heroku pricing changes and migration | 2x of 3 | |
cloudflare workers vs traditional paas for web apps RELATED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Understand if serverless edge platforms can replace traditional PaaS for full-stack web apps. | Comparison | glossary/definition | comparing modern paas providers | 2x of 3 | |
best free heroku alternatives for web hosting 2026 REFORMULATION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Find modern platform-as-a-service providers that offer free or low-cost tiers for web applications. | Comparison | comparison_table | self hosted open source paas | 1x of 3 | |
render vs railway vs fly io for nodejs deployment COMPARATIVE | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Compare the top three modern Heroku alternatives specifically for Node.js apps. | Comparison | review_roundup | comparing modern paas providers | 1x of 3 | |
fly io git push deploy tutorial RELATED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Learn how the git-based or CLI deployment workflow actually works on Fly.io. | Instruction | how_to_steps | paas with git push deployment | 1x of 3 | |
railway app deploy with git push tutorial RELATED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Learn how git push deployment actually works on one of the top modern alternatives. | Instruction | how_to_steps | paas with git push deployment | 1x of 3 | |
paas with git push deployment like heroku RELATED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Identify platforms that support the exact Git-based continuous deployment workflow popularized by Heroku. | Comparison | web_article | paas with git push deployment | 1x of 3 | |
paas providers with automatic preview environments on github PR IMPLICIT | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Discover modern PaaS options that offer advanced CI/CD features like preview apps. | Comparison | buyers_guide | best heroku alternatives for indie deve… | 1x of 3 | |
cheap or free cloud application hosting platforms for developers IMPLICIT | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Discover budget-friendly hosting options for hobby or early-stage web applications. | Comparison | buyers_guide | comparing modern paas providers | 1x of 3 | |
is railway good for hosting nodejs express apps ENTITY EXPANSION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Evaluate a specific modern PaaS provider (Railway) for compatibility with standard backend web stacks. | Comparison | review_roundup | comparing modern paas providers | 1x of 3 | |
coolify self hosted heroku alternative ENTITY EXPANSION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Explore self-hosted open-source PaaS tools that provide a Heroku-like experience on cheap VPS servers. | Comparison | product_spec_sheet | self hosted open source paas | 1x of 3 | |
dokku self hosted heroku alternative ENTITY EXPANSION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Explore self-hosted PaaS solutions that replicate Heroku's buildpack and git push experience. | Comparison | code_samples/docs | self hosted open source paas | 1x of 3 | |
how to deploy to render using git push IMPLICIT | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Learn the step-by-step mechanism for setting up continuous deployment via Git on Render. | Instruction | how_to_steps | paas with git push deployment | 1x of 3 | |
railway app pricing calculator and limits RELATED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Understand the exact pricing model and usage limits of Railway to avoid unexpected bills. | Comparison | pricing_page | cloud hosting pricing and limits | 1x of 3 | |
best paas for indie hackers and solo developers 2026 PERSONALIZED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Find platform-as-a-service options optimized for individual creators with low budgets. | Comparison | web_article | best heroku alternatives for indie deve… | 1x of 3 | |
cheapest paas for hobby projects after heroku free tier ended PERSONALIZED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Find low-cost cloud hosting options specifically tailored for side projects and individual developers. | Comparison | pricing_page | best heroku alternatives for indie deve… | 1x of 3 | |
fly io free tier limits and pricing RELATED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Check the exact pricing and resource limits of Fly.io's free allowance. | Other / navigational | pricing_page | cloud hosting pricing and limits | 1x of 3 | |
fly io free allowance and limitations ENTITY EXPANSION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Check the exact resource limits and allowances of Fly.io's free or low-cost tier. | Yes / no | product_spec_sheet | cloud hosting pricing and limits | 1x of 3 | |
best cloud hosting for indie hackers cheap paas PERSONALIZED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Find budget-friendly PaaS recommendations suited for solo developers and side projects. | Comparison | web_article | best heroku alternatives for indie deve… | 1x of 3 | |
heroku pricing changes impact on small developers RELATED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Understand the background and industry reaction to Heroku's removal of free tiers. | Consequence | web_article | heroku pricing changes and migration | 1x of 3 | |
dokku vs heroku deployment comparison COMPARATIVE | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Evaluate Dokku as a self-hosted single-host alternative to Heroku. | Comparison | comparison_table | heroku pricing changes and migration | 1x of 3 | |
paas with automatic CI CD git integration REFORMULATION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Search for cloud hosts that automatically build and deploy on git push. | Comparison | product_spec_sheet | paas with git push deployment | 1x of 3 | |
self hosted heroku alternatives open source paas IMPLICIT | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Explore open-source control panels that mimic Heroku functionality on cheap VPS infrastructure. | Comparison | buyers_guide | self hosted open source paas | 1x of 3 | |
coolify open source heroku alternative setup ENTITY EXPANSION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Investigate Coolify as a modern, self-hosted deployment tool. | Comparison | tutorial_video/transcript | self hosted open source paas | 1x of 3 | |
dokku vs coolify for heroku style deployment COMPARATIVE | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Compare self-hosted PaaS solutions that allow git push deployments on your own server. | Comparison | comparison_table | self hosted open source paas | 1x of 3 | |
paas with free ssl and custom domains IMPLICIT | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Find out which modern PaaS options include free SSL certificates and custom domain mapping on free tiers. | Comparison | faq_page | best heroku alternatives for indie deve… | 1x of 3 | |
heroku pricing changes free tier removal history IMPLICIT | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Understand why Heroku removed free tiers and what market changes followed. | Consequence | press_release | heroku pricing changes and migration | 1x of 3 | |
top cloud platform as a service providers 2026 REFORMULATION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Get a broad overview of the leading PaaS market options available today. | Comparison | review_roundup | best heroku alternatives for indie deve… | 1x of 3 | |
vercel vs netlify vs railway for full stack apps ENTITY EXPANSION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Determine whether frontend-first hosts like Vercel or Netlify work well for full-stack apps compared to Railway. | Comparison | review_roundup | comparing modern paas providers | 1x of 3 | |
cloudflare workers vs render vs railway for web apps COMPARATIVE | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Compare traditional container PaaS with modern serverless edge hosting. | Comparison | comparison_table | comparing modern paas providers | 1x of 3 |
Passes
Does another pass still surface new queries? A flattening curve means the fan-out has stabilised.
| Model | Pass | Target | Generated | Seconds | Tokens (in / out) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| gemini-3.5-flash-lite | 1 | 12 | 12 | — | 943 / 1,436 | |
| gemini-3.5-flash-lite | 2 | 12 | 12 | — | 943 / 1,471 | |
| gemini-3.5-flash-lite | 3 | 12 | 12 | — | 943 / 1,546 |