SashiDo vs Heroku

Parse Server hosting from $4.95/mo vs Heroku's $31/mo minimum

Heroku shut down their free tier and increased prices. Basic Dyno ($7/mo) + Postgres Mini ($9/mo) + Redis Mini ($15/mo) = $31/mo minimum, before traffic or add-ons. SashiDo provides Parse Server hosting from $4.95/mo with MongoDB, Redis, file storage, push notifications, and human support included. No add-on fees, no dyno sleep, no vendor lock-in.

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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

An honest look at how SashiDo and Heroku compare for Parse Server hosting

Platform & Ecosystem

Feature
SashiDo
Heroku
Primary Use Case
Parse Server hosting (specialized)
General app hosting (any language)
Parse Server Optimization
Built for Parse Server, pre-configured, optimized
Generic platform, manual Parse setup required
Database Included
MongoDB included from $4.95/mo
Add-on: Postgres from $9/mo, MongoDB $15/mo+
Redis Included
Included for caching and LiveQueries
Add-on: from $15/mo (Heroku Redis Mini)
File Storage
S3-compatible storage + CDN included
Ephemeral filesystem (files deleted on restart)
Push Notifications
Built-in for iOS, Android, Web
Not included (need third-party service)
Background Jobs
Cloud Jobs + scheduled tasks included
Worker Dynos ($7/mo each) or Scheduler add-on ($0-50/mo)
GraphQL API
Auto-generated from Parse schema
Not included (build yourself)

Pricing & Cost

Feature
SashiDo
Heroku
Free Tier
10-day trial (no credit card)
Removed in 2022 (was free, now $0)
Minimum Monthly Cost
$4.95/mo (Parse Server + MongoDB + Redis + Storage)
$31/mo (Dyno $7 + Postgres $9 + Redis $15)
Cost at 50K Users
$25-50/mo (hosting, database, push, storage)
$50-100/mo (dynos + DB + Redis + add-ons)
Dyno Sleep
No sleep, always available
Free tier removed, Eco Dynos sleep after 30 min
Hidden Costs
None, transparent usage pricing
Add-on fees pile up (Postgres, Redis, Papertrail, etc.)

Performance & Reliability

Feature
SashiDo
Heroku
Auto-Scaling
Automatic based on traffic
Manual dyno scaling or expensive autoscaling
Uptime SLA
99.9% included
99.9% (higher tiers only)
Cold Start
Minimal (always-on instances)
Eco Dynos sleep, slow cold starts
Database Performance
Optimized MongoDB for Parse workloads
Postgres (not ideal for document storage)

Developer Experience

Feature
SashiDo
Heroku
Parse Server Setup
Pre-configured, ready in 5 minutes
Manual setup, configuration, debugging
Dashboard
Parse-specific dashboard with data browser
Generic logs and metrics
Git Deployment
GitHub integration
Heroku CLI or GitHub integration
Logs & Monitoring
Built-in logs, real-time monitoring
Basic logs (Papertrail add-on for more)

Support & Migration

Feature
SashiDo
Heroku
Support Response
1 business day (often 8-12 hours)
Ticket system (slow), paid priority support
Parse Server Expertise
Team knows Parse Server inside out
General platform support, not Parse-specific
Migration from Heroku
Export MongoDB, import to SashiDo (1-day migration)
N/A
Vendor Lock-in
None (open-source Parse Server)
Moderate (Heroku-specific buildpacks, add-ons)

Note: We've done our best to present accurate information based on publicly available data and customer feedback. If you notice any inaccuracies, please let us know.

Why Developers Migrate from Heroku to SashiDo

These are the most common reasons Parse Server users cite for making the move

Lower Total Cost - $5/mo vs $31/mo Minimum

Heroku's minimum cost for Parse Server is $31/mo (Basic Dyno $7 + Postgres Mini $9 + Redis Mini $15), before traffic, SSL, or other add-ons. Many developers report monthly bills of $50-150/mo for small apps after add-ons pile up. SashiDo starts at $4.95/mo with MongoDB, Redis, file storage, push notifications, and SSL included. No add-on fees. At 50K users, Heroku costs $50-100/mo vs SashiDo $25-50/mo. Save 70%+ on total costs. See our transparent pricing.

Parse Server Ready in 5 Minutes vs Hours of Setup

On Heroku, deploying Parse Server requires buildpack configuration, environment variables, MongoDB connection setup, Redis configuration, S3 credentials, push certificate uploads, and debugging. Developers report 2-6 hours for first Parse deployment. SashiDo is pre-configured for Parse Server. Click "Create App," upload push certificates via dashboard, deploy Cloud Code from GitHub. Parse Server ready in 5 minutes, not hours. Check our documentation.

No Dyno Sleep. No Cold Starts. Always Available.

Heroku Eco Dynos ($5/mo) sleep after 30 minutes of inactivity, causing 10-30 second cold starts when users return. Developers report "app feels broken" with sleeping dynos. Basic Dynos ($7/mo) don't sleep but still have restart delays. SashiDo instances are always-on with minimal cold starts. Your Parse Server responds instantly, 24/7. No dyno management, no sleep cycles.

MongoDB Included vs $15/mo Add-On

Parse Server needs MongoDB. Heroku requires add-ons: mLab (deprecated), MongoDB Atlas ($15-57/mo), or ObjectRocket ($18/mo+). Each add-on is separate billing, separate login, separate support. SashiDo includes optimized MongoDB from $4.95/mo. One platform, one dashboard, one bill. MongoDB tuned for Parse workloads with automatic backups and monitoring.

Parse Server Experts vs Generic Platform Support

Heroku support handles Ruby, Node.js, Python, Java, Go, PHP apps. They don't specialize in Parse Server. Developers report "support doesn't understand Parse-specific issues" and slow response times. SashiDo's team knows Parse Server inside out. We've been running Parse Server since 2016. Get real-human support from Parse experts within 1 business day (often 8-12 hours). No enterprise plan required.

Push Notifications Included vs Third-Party Integration

Heroku doesn't provide push notifications. You need OneSignal ($79-6,000/mo), Firebase Cloud Messaging (DIY setup), or Pusher Beams ($0-49/mo). Each requires separate SDK, configuration, and billing. SashiDo includes push notifications for iOS, Android, and Web from $4.95/mo. Upload certificates via dashboard, send via Parse SDK. No third-party services, no extra fees.

Is Heroku right for you?

Heroku is a mature platform trusted by millions including Toyota, Macy's, and Citrix, with support for 7+ programming languages and extensive add-on ecosystem. However, Parse Server users report challenges: minimum $31/mo costs (Dyno + Postgres + Redis), complex add-on management, generic support unfamiliar with Parse issues, and pricing that scales from $50/mo to $150/mo for small apps. Many migrate to SashiDo for Parse-native hosting from $4.95/mo, Parse Server expertise, included MongoDB and Redis, built-in push notifications, and 70%+ cost savings.

Migrate from Heroku to SashiDo if you:

Run Parse Server on Heroku and pay $31-100/mo for basic setup
Tired of add-on fees piling up (Postgres, Redis, logging, monitoring)
Need Parse Server experts, not generic platform support
Want MongoDB included, not $15-57/mo extra
Frustrated with dyno sleep and cold starts
Want push notifications without OneSignal's $699/mo fees
Prefer all-in-one Parse hosting vs stitching add-ons together

Common Questions

How much will I save migrating from Heroku to SashiDo?

Most Parse Server users save 70%+. Heroku minimum: $31/mo (Dyno $7 + Postgres $9 + Redis $15). Add push notifications (OneSignal $79/mo), file storage (S3), monitoring (Papertrail), and you're at $50-150/mo. SashiDo includes everything from $4.95/mo (MongoDB, Redis, storage, push, monitoring). At 50K users: Heroku $50-100/mo vs SashiDo $25-50/mo. At scale, savings increase. See our transparent pricing.

How long does migration from Heroku to SashiDo take?

1-3 days with our migration support assistance. Export your Heroku Postgres or MongoDB database, import to SashiDo, transfer Cloud Code repository, update app credentials. We provide step-by-step guides and professional migration support (paid) or self-service docs (free). Most migrations complete in one day with zero downtime using dual-write approach.

Will my Parse Server app work the same on SashiDo as Heroku?

Yes! SashiDo runs the same open-source Parse Server you use on Heroku. Your Parse SDKs, Cloud Code, and queries work identically. Only differences: update server URL and app credentials in your clients. No code changes needed. MongoDB instead of Postgres (if you used Heroku Postgres), but Parse Server prefers MongoDB anyway. Check our documentation for migration guides.

What about Heroku's add-ons (Postgres, Redis, Papertrail)?

SashiDo includes MongoDB, Redis, file storage, and logging without add-ons. You don't need separate Heroku Postgres ($9-450/mo), Heroku Redis ($15-60/mo), or Papertrail ($7-230/mo). Everything is built-in. One platform, one dashboard, one bill. If you have custom add-ons (SendGrid, Twilio), integrate them with SashiDo Cloud Functions the same way you did on Heroku.

Does SashiDo support the Heroku CLI and Git deployment?

SashiDo uses GitHub integration for Cloud Code deployment (push to GitHub, auto-deploy to SashiDo). No Heroku CLI equivalent, but simpler: connect your GitHub repo once, every push deploys automatically. Database management happens via SashiDo dashboard (data browser, indexes, queries). Most developers prefer SashiDo's dashboard over Heroku CLI for Parse Server apps.

What if I'm happy with Heroku but want lower costs?

Try SashiDo's 10-day free trial (no credit card). Export your Heroku database, import to SashiDo, test for 10 days. If you're not satisfied, migrate back (Parse Server is portable). Most customers who try SashiDo stay for lower costs ($4.95/mo vs $31/mo), Parse Server expertise, and included features (push, storage, Redis). See our features.

Companies that chose SashiDo

Here's what developers are saying about building with SashiDo

Vlad

Vlad

iOS Dev @ producthunt.com
You don't need to know about the backend.
Focus on the product, SashiDo handle the rest.
Kasper Tornoe

Kasper Tornoe

CEO @ swipesapp.com
It is as if Parse never left.
Great support team!
Finn Larsen

Finn Larsen

Co-founder and CTO @ mustache.dk
SashiDo is our no. 1 preferred partner for Parse Server solutions.
It's really simple for both migration and new projects.
Karl Dunkelman

Karl Dunkelman

Production Manager @ lightmaker.com
Sashido has been a great partner by evolving its push notifications functionalities
to fit the needs of a variety of mobile applications that we build at Lightmaker.
Faisal Shah

Faisal Shah

Technical lead @ merchantaccountsolutions.com
SashiDo is the reason I have taken a very long and overdue vacation see my picture if you don't believe it.
Their File Migration Tool was the core reason I got hooked up with them immediately.
They Know their STUFF!
Vlad

Vlad

iOS Dev @ producthunt.com
You don't need to know about the backend.
Focus on the product, SashiDo handle the rest.
Kasper Tornoe

Kasper Tornoe

CEO @ swipesapp.com
It is as if Parse never left.
Great support team!
Finn Larsen

Finn Larsen

Co-founder and CTO @ mustache.dk
SashiDo is our no. 1 preferred partner for Parse Server solutions.
It's really simple for both migration and new projects.
Karl Dunkelman

Karl Dunkelman

Production Manager @ lightmaker.com
Sashido has been a great partner by evolving its push notifications functionalities
to fit the needs of a variety of mobile applications that we build at Lightmaker.
Faisal Shah

Faisal Shah

Technical lead @ merchantaccountsolutions.com
SashiDo is the reason I have taken a very long and overdue vacation see my picture if you don't believe it.
Their File Migration Tool was the core reason I got hooked up with them immediately.
They Know their STUFF!
Muhamad Jawdat Akoum

Muhamad Jawdat Akoum

Technical Manager and Software Engineer @ mojo-tribe.com
Mojo-tribe is happy to choose Sashido as an alternative to parse.
Sashido gives priority to its clients and their needs.
They are very active and responsive to their tickets, hence they are continuously improving.
Scott Carr

Scott Carr

CEO & Co-Founder @ scancandyapp.com
If you have moved off of PARSE and the method you chose is not perfect
I strongly urge you to move to SashiDo. They truly care about your business.
Claes Jacobsson

Claes Jacobsson

Founder @ lookmark.io
Lookmark had a very smooth migration to SashiDo in 2016
and has been running like clockwork for our users around the globe ever since.
The support team is super responsive!
Emre Memis

Emre Memis

Mobile Developer @ Sayko, Inc.
It is an excellent platform that completely eliminates the need for backend,
especially for mobile application developers!
Thanks SashiDo!
Muhamad Jawdat Akoum

Muhamad Jawdat Akoum

Technical Manager and Software Engineer @ mojo-tribe.com
Mojo-tribe is happy to choose Sashido as an alternative to parse.
Sashido gives priority to its clients and their needs.
They are very active and responsive to their tickets, hence they are continuously improving.
Scott Carr

Scott Carr

CEO & Co-Founder @ scancandyapp.com
If you have moved off of PARSE and the method you chose is not perfect
I strongly urge you to move to SashiDo. They truly care about your business.
Claes Jacobsson

Claes Jacobsson

Founder @ lookmark.io
Lookmark had a very smooth migration to SashiDo in 2016
and has been running like clockwork for our users around the globe ever since.
The support team is super responsive!
Emre Memis

Emre Memis

Mobile Developer @ Sayko, Inc.
It is an excellent platform that completely eliminates the need for backend,
especially for mobile application developers!
Thanks SashiDo!

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