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Heroku Connect is a popular tool for syncing Salesforce data with PostgreSQL databases, but many organizations face limitations with its narrow focus, high costs, and dependency on Heroku hosting. StackSync provides a modern alternative that addresses these challenges while offering broader connectivity, better performance, and significant cost savings.
Organizations switching from Heroku Connect to StackSync report annual savings exceeding $30,000 while gaining access to 200+ connectors instead of being limited to Salesforce-PostgreSQL synchronization.
Heroku Connect is a Salesforce-owned integration service that synchronizes Salesforce data with Heroku PostgreSQL databases. It enables developers to access Salesforce data through familiar SQL interfaces rather than complex SOQL queries and API calls.
The service operates through continuous synchronization between Salesforce objects and PostgreSQL tables, maintaining data consistency through scheduled updates and change detection mechanisms.
While Heroku Connect serves its purpose for Salesforce-PostgreSQL integration, it comes with significant constraints that limit its effectiveness for modern data integration needs.
Organizations using Heroku Connect encounter several critical limitations that impact operational efficiency and total cost of ownership.
Heroku Connect exclusively handles Salesforce-to-PostgreSQL synchronization. Organizations requiring integration with NetSuite, HubSpot, Snowflake, or other business systems must implement separate integration solutions, creating fragmented data architectures and multiple integration platforms to manage.
This single-purpose focus means teams often maintain Heroku Connect alongside other integration tools, increasing complexity and operational overhead.
The service requires Heroku hosting for the PostgreSQL database, preventing organizations from using their preferred cloud providers or existing database infrastructure. This forced dependency creates vendor lock-in and prevents cost optimization through provider selection.
Teams wanting to leverage AWS RDS, Google Cloud SQL, or Azure Database for PostgreSQL cannot use Heroku Connect, limiting architectural flexibility.
Heroku Connect pricing ranges from $2,500 to $3,000 monthly, with additional costs for Heroku PostgreSQL hosting. Organizations with moderate data volumes often pay $30,000 to $40,000 annually just for Salesforce-PostgreSQL synchronization.
These costs compound when organizations need additional integrations beyond Salesforce and PostgreSQL, requiring separate tools and licenses.
Heroku Connect operates on scheduled synchronization intervals rather than true real-time data propagation. This batch-oriented approach creates delays between when data changes in Salesforce and when those changes reflect in the database.
For organizations requiring immediate data consistency across systems, these delays impact operational effectiveness and decision-making speed.
While Heroku Connect supports bi-directional synchronization, the implementation requires careful configuration to prevent data conflicts. Organizations frequently encounter sync failures and data inconsistencies that require manual intervention and troubleshooting.
Error handling capabilities remain basic compared to modern integration platforms, leaving teams to manage sync failures reactively rather than proactively.
StackSync provides comprehensive capabilities that address Heroku Connect limitations while maintaining the core value of database-centric integration.
StackSync implements millisecond-level synchronization between Salesforce and databases through field-level change detection. When data updates in either system, changes propagate instantly rather than waiting for scheduled batch processes.
The platform handles conflict resolution automatically, maintaining data integrity across systems without manual intervention. Built-in error handling detects issues immediately and provides clear resolution paths through automated retry mechanisms.
Beyond Salesforce and PostgreSQL, StackSync connects to NetSuite, HubSpot, Snowflake, BigQuery, MySQL, MongoDB, and hundreds of other systems. Organizations consolidate multiple integration tools into a single platform, simplifying architecture and reducing vendor relationships.
This extensive connector library enables comprehensive data ecosystems where information flows seamlessly across CRMs, ERPs, databases, data warehouses, and SaaS applications.
StackSync works with databases hosted on any cloud provider or on-premises infrastructure. Organizations use AWS RDS, Google Cloud SQL, Azure Database, or self-managed databases without platform restrictions.
This flexibility allows teams to optimize costs through provider selection and leverage existing infrastructure investments rather than migrating to specific hosting platforms.
The platform extends beyond basic synchronization with event-driven workflows triggered by data changes. When Salesforce records update, StackSync can automatically call external APIs, execute database queries, or trigger complex business processes.
These capabilities enable sophisticated automations like real-time customer lifetime value calculations, automated data enrichment, and cross-system approval workflows without custom development.
StackSync maintains SOC 2 Type II, GDPR, HIPAA BAA, ISO 27001, and CCPA certifications. Data passes through the platform encrypted in transit without persistent storage, addressing data sovereignty and security concerns.
Organizations benefit from comprehensive access controls including SSO, MFA, and role-based permissions, along with detailed audit logs for compliance requirements.
StackSync typically delivers significant cost savings compared to Heroku Connect while providing broader capabilities.
Organizations moving from Heroku Connect to StackSync report annual savings exceeding $30,000 when accounting for both direct platform costs and reduced engineering overhead. The Pro plan at $3,000 monthly includes up to 1 million records in sync and 3 active synchronizations, compared to Heroku Connect's $2,500 to $3,000 monthly fee for only Salesforce-PostgreSQL sync.
Additional savings come from consolidating multiple integration tools into StackSync's unified platform, eliminating separate licenses for NetSuite integration, data warehouse synchronization, and workflow automation.
Engineering time savings prove equally valuable. Organizations report reducing integration maintenance from 30-50 percent of engineering resources to minimal oversight, allowing teams to focus on core product development rather than integration troubleshooting.
Migrating from Heroku Connect to StackSync typically completes within days rather than weeks or months required for traditional integration changes.
The process starts by connecting StackSync to both Salesforce and the target database through OAuth authentication or secure connection methods. Field mapping leverages automatic suggestions based on object structures, with manual refinement available for custom requirements.
StackSync handles initial data backfill for existing records before activating real-time synchronization. Organizations typically run both Heroku Connect and StackSync in parallel briefly to validate data consistency before fully transitioning.
For complex scenarios involving custom objects, transformations, or workflows, StackSync provides dedicated support through Slack channels for Pro customers or solutions architects for Enterprise implementations.
Acertus, a vehicle logistics company, successfully replaced Heroku Connect with StackSync while expanding their integration capabilities. They previously paid $2,500 to $3,000 monthly for Heroku Connect to sync Salesforce with PostgreSQL.
After implementing StackSync, Acertus achieved bi-directional sync for Salesforce, PostgreSQL, and Snowflake while adding NetSuite integration. The company reported annual savings exceeding $30,000 combining reduced platform costs and decreased engineering maintenance.
Blair Koch, Chief Digital Officer at Acertus, cited measurable improvements in data accuracy, processing time, and team productivity. The implementation included custom VPC networking, SSO support, and workflow features that extended far beyond their original Heroku Connect capabilities.
Organizations should consider StackSync when facing these scenarios:
Integration needs extend beyond Salesforce and PostgreSQL to include other CRMs, ERPs, or data warehouses. Database hosting flexibility matters for cloud strategy or cost optimization. Real-time data synchronization proves critical for operational efficiency. Engineering resources need to focus on core product development rather than integration maintenance. Total cost of ownership for Heroku Connect exceeds budget constraints.
Heroku Connect may remain appropriate for organizations exclusively using Salesforce and Heroku PostgreSQL with simple synchronization requirements and no near-term plans for additional integrations.
StackSync represents a modern evolution beyond Heroku Connect's single-purpose Salesforce-PostgreSQL synchronization. Organizations gain real-time bi-directional sync, 200+ connectors, cloud platform independence, and enterprise-grade capabilities while reducing costs by $30,000 or more annually.
The platform eliminates integration complexity through automated workflows, comprehensive error handling, and unified management across all data systems. Engineering teams shift focus from integration maintenance to building competitive advantages.
Ready to replace Heroku Connect with a more comprehensive solution? Discover how StackSync delivers real-time integration across your entire data ecosystem at a lower total cost of ownership.
