Envoyer vs Heroku: What are the differences?

Introduction

In this article, we will compare and highlight the key differences between Envoyer and Heroku. Both Envoyer and Heroku are popular cloud platforms that are used for deploying and managing web applications. They have some similarities but also have distinct features that set them apart. Let's dive into the key differences between the two platforms.

1. Deployment Process: Envoyer primarily focuses on deploying PHP applications and provides an easy deployment process. It automates the deployment process by integrating with version control systems like Git. On the other hand, Heroku supports a wide range of programming languages and frameworks. It uses a buildpack system that allows developers to specify the dependencies and configuration for their applications, making it highly adaptable for different use cases.

2. Pricing Model: Envoyer follows a subscription-based pricing model, where users are billed monthly based on the number of deployment projects and team members. It offers different pricing tiers based on the scale of the applications. In contrast, Heroku provides a freemium model, allowing developers to start for free and then offering different pricing plans based on resource usage and additional features.

3. Containerization: Envoyer uses a process-based deployment model, which means the application is deployed using traditional server setups. It does not use containerization technology like Docker. On the other hand, Heroku utilizes containerization with the help of its container runtime, called Dynos. Dynos provide a lightweight isolated environment for running applications and make it easier to scale and manage the application.

4. Customization and Control: Envoyer offers a simplified deployment process and abstracts away some of the infrastructure and configuration details. This makes it easier for developers to get started quickly but may limit their control over infrastructure-level changes. On the other hand, Heroku provides more flexibility and control, allowing developers to configure environment variables, scale the application dynamically, and integrate with various add-ons.

5. Scalability: Envoyer is designed to handle the deployment of PHP applications and may not be as scalable when compared to Heroku. Heroku provides robust auto-scaling features, allowing applications to handle a large number of concurrent requests and scale up or down based on demand. This makes it suitable for applications with varying traffic patterns and load.

6. Community and Ecosystem: Heroku has a large and active developer community, with extensive documentation, tutorials, and resources. It also has a marketplace where developers can find add-ons and services to enhance their applications. Envoyer, although popular in the PHP community, may not have the same level of ecosystem and community support as Heroku.

In summary, Envoyer and Heroku differ in terms of their deployment process, pricing model, containerization approach, customization options, scalability, and community support. Developers should consider these differences to choose the platform that aligns best with their specific requirements and preferences.