Heroku alternative
The Heroku workflow, on infrastructure you choose.
Ankra is a Heroku alternative that takes a GitHub repository to a live URL, but the app runs on Kubernetes in your own cloud account or on Ankra Cloud in Sweden and France. Every build is tested and scanned with Semgrep, Checkov and Trivy before it can deploy.
Heroku made deploying simple. You push code, a buildpack builds it, and add-ons such as a database attach with one command. Ankra keeps that path from repository to URL and changes where the app lives, which matters once cost, data location or a customer contract decides where your software may run.
If you want the least setup possible and are happy on Heroku's own platform, Heroku is still the simpler choice. This page covers where Ankra differs, where it does not, and how to move one app across to try it.
Where Heroku is simpler
Heroku keeps its promise of a short path to a running app. These are the places where it asks less of you than Ankra does.
No cloud account at all
Heroku runs your app on its own platform, so there is no provider account, server or cluster to think about. With Ankra you bring a cloud account or a cluster, or use Ankra Cloud.
A marketplace of add-ons
Heroku attaches databases, caches and other services from its add-on marketplace and hands your app the connection as a config var. Ankra's managed services, including PostgreSQL, are in closed beta.
Nothing extra in your repository
Buildpacks build most apps with no Dockerfile. Ankra opens a setup pull request that adds a Dockerfile when you have none, Kubernetes manifests and a pipeline definition, so there are more files to own.
Code hosted anywhere
Heroku deploys from a push to its own Git remote. Ankra Applications and pull-request previews work with GitHub repositories today. Code elsewhere can still deploy through your own CI and a GitOps repository.
One command from your checkout
to a live URL on your cluster.
Run ankra application ship in a checkout of a GitHub repository. Ankra registers the application, opens the setup pull request, builds the first image inside your own cluster and deploys it, then prints the public URL when the application has one.
After that, push to deploy is on. Every successful build of the tracked branch rolls out to every cluster the application runs on. Each environment has its own switch, so staging can follow every merge while production waits for an explicit deploy.
# pick the cluster the app should run on
ankra cluster select
# register, build, scan, deploy, print the URL
ankra application ship .
# check push to deploy for the application
ankra application auto-deploy get <application-id>Push to deploy
Push to the tracked branch and the new build rolls out with no command to run. A build of any other branch never deploys.
Scans gate every build
Ankra Pipelines run your tests, a rootless build and Semgrep, Checkov and Trivy scans inside your cluster. Only the image the gate approved is published and deployed.
Pull-request previews
Every pull request gets a throwaway preview on your staging cluster, redeployed on every push and torn down when it closes. A preview can bring its own throwaway Postgres.
Your region, your servers
Ankra builds Kubernetes on Hetzner, OVHcloud, UpCloud, DigitalOcean, AWS and Proxmox VE, or imports a cluster you already run. Ankra Cloud runs servers only in Sweden and France.
Add-ons as Stacks
Stacks install any Helm chart in dependency order, so the database comes up before the app that needs it. Backups write volumes and databases to a bucket you own.
AI that asks first
Ankra AI reviews pull requests, analyses failed runs and opens fix pull requests. Every write waits for a person by default.
Move one Heroku app to Ankra
Start with a single app, keep it running on Heroku while you test, and switch traffic when you are happy.
- 1
Create a free Ankra account
The free tier includes 30 worker vCPUs, controller nodes are never billed, and it needs no credit card.
- 2
Pick where the app runs
Create a cluster in your own provider account, import one you already run, or ask for Ankra Cloud, which is enabled per organisation while it is in closed beta.
- 3
Ship the repository
Run it in a checkout whose origin is the GitHub repository. Ankra analyses the code, opens the setup pull request and deploys the first build. The shipping guide walks through each step.
ankra application ship . - 4
Move your config vars
Store each secret the application reads as an environment secret in Ankra. Values are never shown again once saved.
- 5
Bring the database
Run a database operator from the add-on catalogue in a Stack, with backups to your own bucket, or ask for managed PostgreSQL while it is in closed beta. Then point the app at it.
- 6
Turn on previews
An admin sets a staging cluster and switches on PR previews for the GitHub installation. The next pull request gets a preview link in a comment.
Heroku and Ankra side by side
Heroku details checked on 10 October 2026 against the Heroku Dev Center.
| Heroku | Ankra | |
|---|---|---|
| Where your app runs | In dynos on Heroku's own platform | On Kubernetes in your cloud account, on servers you own, or on Ankra Cloud |
| Regions in Europe | One Common Runtime region named Europe. Private Spaces add Dublin, Frankfurt and London | Any region your provider offers. Ankra Cloud runs only in Sweden and France |
| Deploying | git push to a Heroku remote, built by buildpacks | Push to a GitHub branch, built rootless in your cluster and gated by scans |
| Previews | Review apps per GitHub pull request, with Pipelines and an app.json | A preview per GitHub pull request on your staging cluster, redeployed on every push |
| Databases and add-ons | Add-on marketplace, attached as config vars | Any Helm chart in a Stack. Managed services, including PostgreSQL, in closed beta |
| Where the platform runs | Heroku's managed platform | Hosted control plane in the EU, or self-hosted and air-gapped on Enterprise |
| How you pay | Dyno and add-on plans that include the compute | Ankra fee per worker vCPU with the first 30 free. Your provider bills the servers |
When Heroku is the simpler choice
Ankra is not the right switch for every app. Stay on Heroku when one of these is true.
- You want a live app with no cloud account, cluster or servers anywhere in the picture.
- Your app leans on several marketplace add-ons and you want each one attached with a single command today.
- You would rather not keep a Dockerfile, manifests or a pipeline definition in your repository.
- Your code lives outside GitHub and you want pull-request previews. Ankra previews are GitHub only today.
- Nobody on the team wants to see Kubernetes at all. Ankra does most of the work, but your app does run on Kubernetes and you will meet its terms.
Keeping your app and data in Europe
Heroku's Common Runtime offers a region named Europe, and Private Spaces add Dublin, Frankfurt and London. Either way the app runs on a platform Heroku operates, and review apps live there too.
With Ankra the servers sit in your own provider account, in the region you pick, and the bill for them comes from that provider. Ankra's control plane is hosted in the EU. If you would rather not run servers at all, Ankra Cloud is built and operated by a Swedish company, with servers only in Sweden and France.
Regulated teams that need the platform inside their own walls can run Ankra self-hosted or air-gapped on the Enterprise plan, at custom pricing. For compliance questions, see the Trust page.
Guides and comparisons
Questions teams actually ask
What is a good Heroku alternative in Europe?+
If you want Heroku's push to deploy but need the app in a European region you choose, Ankra deploys your GitHub repository to Kubernetes in your own cloud account or on Ankra Cloud in Sweden and France. If you want no cloud account at all and are happy on Heroku's platform, Heroku remains simpler.
Can I keep push to deploy?+
Yes. Once an application has been deployed, every successful build of the tracked branch rolls out automatically. You push to GitHub instead of a Heroku remote, and each build is tested and scanned before it can deploy.
Does Ankra have Heroku-style add-ons?+
Partly. Stacks install any Helm chart, such as a database operator, next to your app in dependency order, with backups to your own bucket. Ankra's managed services, including PostgreSQL, are in closed beta and enabled per organisation on request.
Where does my data live with Ankra?+
Your app and its data run on the servers you choose, in your provider account and region, or on Ankra Cloud in Sweden and France. Ankra's control plane is hosted in the EU, and Enterprise customers can run Ankra self-hosted or air-gapped at custom pricing.
Is there a free tier?+
Yes. Every plan includes 30 worker vCPUs free, controller nodes are never billed, and the free tier needs no credit card. Your cloud provider bills the servers separately.
Ship your first app on infrastructure you choose
30 worker vCPUs included, controller nodes never billed, and no credit card for the free tier. One command takes your repository to a live URL.
Ankra is an independent platform and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Heroku or Salesforce. Heroku details were checked on 10 October 2026 against the Heroku Dev Center, and product scope can change.