Heroku error 'no free tiers available' — what changed in November 2022
Key Facts
Direct answer: The direct answer is that Heroku eliminated its free tier for all new applications and services as of November 2022, requiring all users to select a paid plan even for basic development needs. This change affected dyno hours, add-on services, and data storage that were previously available at no cost, effectively ending the platform's.
What the error 'no free tiers available' actually means: The "no free tiers available" error occurs when users attempt to create new Heroku applications or provision services that were previously available under the free tier.
When you'll hit it: You'll encounter the "no free tiers available" error in several specific scenarios.
How to verify if it applies to you: To determine if you're affected by the free tier elimination, start by checking your current Heroku account status.
In November 2022, Heroku announced significant changes to its free tier offerings, affecting developers who relied on these resources for development, testing, and small-scale applications. This shift left many users encountering the "no free tiers available" error when attempting to create new Heroku apps or access previously free services.
The direct answer is that Heroku eliminated its free tier for all new applications and services as of November 2022, requiring all users to select a paid plan even for basic development needs. This change affected dyno hours, add-on services, and data storage that were previously available at no cost, effectively ending the platform's long-standing free offering.
What the error 'no free tiers available' actually means
The "no free tiers available" error occurs when users attempt to create new Heroku applications or provision services that were previously available under the free tier. Prior to November 2022, Heroku offered a free tier that included 550 dyno hours per month, a limited selection of free add-ons, and basic data storage options. These resources enabled individual developers, students, and small teams to build and deploy applications without immediate financial commitment. The error message indicates that these free options are no longer available for new applications, and existing free-tier applications may have been converted to paid plans or restricted in functionality.
Underlying this change is Heroku's strategic shift toward a paid-first model. The company determined that maintaining free tiers was no longer sustainable given operational costs and evolving market conditions. When users encounter this error, it means Heroku's system requires them to select from one of the paid tiers before proceeding with application creation or service provisioning. The error affects not just new applications but also existing ones that previously utilized free resources, potentially leading to unexpected charges if users aren't careful about plan selection.
When you'll hit it
You'll encounter the "no free tiers available" error in several specific scenarios. The most common situation is when attempting to create a new Heroku application through the Heroku CLI, web interface, or API. Previously, creating a new app would automatically assign it to the free tier, but now users must explicitly choose a paid plan during creation. Another common trigger is when trying to add services that were previously free, such as Heroku Postgres Hobby or Heroku Redis, which now require paid plans.
The error also affects users who had existing applications on the free tier. As of November 2022, Heroku began migrating existing free-tier applications to paid plans, often with minimal notice. These users might encounter the error when attempting to scale their dynos, add new add-ons, or perform other actions that were previously free. Additionally, educational institutions and bootcamps that relied on free tiers for teaching environments found themselves needing to purchase educational licenses or face disruptions in their curriculum. The error can also appear when attempting to access certain Heroku features that were previously included in the free tier, such as certain buildpacks or deployment options.
How to verify if it applies to you
To determine if you're affected by the free tier elimination, start by checking your current Heroku account status. Use the Heroku CLI with the command heroku apps --account [email protected] to list your applications and their current plans. For each application, run heroku ps --app your-app-name to see the current dyno configuration and whether you're on a paid or free tier. If you see references to "free" or "hobby" dynos, you may need to upgrade to a paid plan.
You can also check your account's billing information through the Heroku Dashboard by navigating to the "Account Settings" section and reviewing your subscription status. If you have existing applications that were previously on the free tier, verify their current status by visiting the app's settings page in the dashboard. Additionally, try creating a test application using the CLI or web interface—if you're immediately prompted to select a paid plan, you're affected by the change. For educational or team accounts, consult with your administrator or institution about any purchased licenses or alternative arrangements.
Your options
Upgrade to a paid tier: Select from Heroku's various paid plans based on your application's resource requirements, with options starting at approximately $7 per month for a basic hobby dyno.
Migrate to alternative platforms: Consider other cloud providers that offer free tiers, such as AWS Free Tier, Google Cloud Platform's Always Free tier, or Microsoft Azure's free offerings.
Opt for self-hosted solutions: Deploy your applications on your own infrastructure using technologies like Docker and Kubernetes, though this requires more operational overhead.
Deployxa: Utilize Deployxa's managed PaaS platform which offers competitive pricing and includes features specifically designed for AI applications, potentially providing better value than Heroku's paid tiers.
Common Pitfalls and Troubleshooting
The first pitfall is assuming existing free-tier applications will continue working without changes. Many users discovered their applications were automatically converted to paid plans without clear communication, leading to unexpected charges. To fix this, regularly review your Heroku account's billing information and set up billing alerts to monitor usage and costs.
The second pitfall is attempting to use CLI commands that previously worked with free tiers but now fail. Commands like heroku create or heroku addons:install may now require additional flags or plan specifications. To fix this, consult Heroku's updated CLI documentation and use the --app flag with specific plan information when creating new resources.
The third pitfall is forgetting that add-ons previously available for free now require paid plans. Services like Heroku Postgres Hobby or Papertrail that were free are now only available with paid subscriptions. To fix this, review your application's dependencies and either budget for the required add-ons or seek alternative services that may offer free tiers.
The fourth pitfall is educational environments unprepared for the transition. Many coding bootcamps and online courses built their curricula around Heroku's free tier, leaving instructors and students stranded when it was eliminated. To fix this, contact Heroku's educational support team to inquire about educational discounts or migrate course materials to alternative platforms that offer free tiers for educational use.
The fifth pitfall is underestimating the cost implications when scaling applications. What once cost nothing may now require significant investment as applications grow beyond basic functionality. To fix this, implement cost monitoring tools and consider architectural changes that optimize resource usage, such as serverless functions or auto-scaling configurations that align with your budget.
Conclusion
Heroku's elimination of free tiers in November 2022 represents a significant shift in the landscape of application development platforms, requiring developers to either commit to paid plans or seek alternatives. While this change has caused disruption for many individual developers and educational institutions, it also presents an opportunity to evaluate whether Heroku's paid offerings provide sufficient value compared to other options in the market. For those heavily invested in the Heroku ecosystem, understanding the new pricing structure and planning accordingly is essential to avoid unexpected costs.
If you're affected by this change, take time to assess your current applications and development needs against the available alternatives. Consider factors such as cost, feature requirements, and integration capabilities when making your decision. For more information on Heroku's current pricing and plans, visit the official Heroku documentation, and explore other cloud providers to find the best fit for your development workflow.