How to cancel Heroku and protect your consumer rights in new zealand
What Heroku is and why cancellation matters
Heroku is a cloud platform designed for developers to deploy, manage, and scale web applications without managing servers directly. You access a web dashboard and command-line tools that let you push code, configure databases such as PostgreSQL, and integrate add-on services including caching layers and monitoring tools. When you decide to leave, cancelling properly ensures you stop all charges immediately and retain documentation of your account closure for billing records.
Common reasons to cancel Heroku
You might cancel because you've finished a project, switched to another hosting provider, or found the monthly costs no longer align with your budget. Developers often step away from side projects, while teams scale down after testing phases. Your reasons are valid; the key is understanding the process so cancellation is straightforward and your data handling is transparent.
Who uses Heroku and typical billing patterns
Heroku attracts individual developers, startups, and engineering teams who prioritise rapid deployment over infrastructure management. Your costs depend on which dynos (compute containers) and add-ons run on your account. An Eco dyno costs approximately NZ$8.65 per month; a Basic dyno runs about NZ$12.10. Heroku PostgreSQL add-ons begin at NZ$8.65 for the Essential 0 tier. If you operate multiple applications or use premium tiers, your monthly bill grows quickly, which motivates many users to cancel or downgrade.
Heroku pricing breakdown for new zealand users
Your charges reflect current USD-to-NZD conversions and Heroku's second-by-second billing model. Understanding the cost structure helps you decide whether to scale down individual dynos or cancel entirely.
Monthly plans and costs
| Plan name |
Approx NZ$ per month |
Key features |
Best for |
| Eco Dyno |
NZ$8.65 |
1000 compute hours per month, sleeps when idle |
Personal projects and testing |
| Basic Dyno |
NZ$12.10 |
Always on, up to 10 process types |
Production apps requiring uptime |
| Heroku PostgreSQL Essential 0 |
NZ$8.65 |
No row limit, 1 GB storage |
Small databases |
| Heroku PostgreSQL Essential 1 |
NZ$15.60 |
No row limit, 10 GB storage |
Growing applications |
| Heroku Key-Value Store Mini |
NZ$5.20 |
25 MB storage for caching |
Session storage and caching |
| Papertrail logging add-on |
NZ$11.50 |
100 MB event storage per month |
Application log aggregation |
How Heroku bills you
Heroku charges by the second and prorates charges to your monthly billing cycle. When you remove a dyno mid-month, billing stops immediately. However, Eco dyno hours remain available until the calendar month ends, meaning you retain access to those hours but receive no partial refund for unused time if you cancel before month-end. This structure is standard in the SaaS industry and reflects Heroku's terms of service.
When you should cancel Heroku
Deciding to cancel is personal; these scenarios reflect when most users choose to leave. Yafee recommends evaluating whether cancellation or downscaling better serves your needs before proceeding.
Signs that cancellation is right for you
You should consider cancellation if your application is no longer in use, if you've migrated permanently to another platform, or if the cost-to-value ratio no longer justifies the expense. You might also cancel if you prefer infrastructure that gives you direct control over servers and networking, or if you need compliance certifications Heroku doesn't provide. Some developers cancel when they transition from rapid prototyping to optimised, self-hosted deployments.
Alternatives to full cancellation
Before cancelling, consider whether downscaling serves you better. You can switch to Eco dynos (NZ$8.65 per month), which are ideal for hobby projects and light testing. You can also remove expensive add-ons while keeping your application running on a minimal dyno. This approach lets you preserve your deployment if you return to active development later. Yafee advises reviewing your current resource usage in your Heroku dashboard to identify which components you actually need.
How to cancel Heroku step by step
Cancelling Heroku involves removing paid dynos, destroying add-ons, and optionally closing your account entirely. The following steps ensure you stop all recurring charges and maintain clear records of your cancellation.
Step 1: access your Heroku dashboard
Navigate to dashboard.heroku.com and sign in with your email and password. Your dashboard displays all applications linked to your account and their current resource consumption.
Step 2: remove dynos from each application
- Select the application you want to cancel or scale down.
- Open the Resources tab.
- Locate your dyno under the "Dynos and workers" section.
- Click the pencil icon to edit the dyno formation.
- Set the quantity to 0 or select the delete option to remove the dyno.
- Confirm the change. Billing stops immediately; your application goes offline.
Step 3: destroy all paid add-ons
- Return to the Resources tab and scroll to the "Add-ons" section.
- Click each add-on (PostgreSQL, Redis, Papertrail, or any other paid service).
- Select Destroy from the add-on management page.
- Confirm the destruction when prompted. This action is irreversible and permanently removes the add-on and associated data.
- Repeat for every paid add-on. Free add-ons do not incur charges and can remain without affecting your billing.
Step 4: repeat for all applications (if applicable)
If you manage multiple applications on your Heroku account, repeat steps 2 and 3 for each app. Yafee recommends creating a checklist of all application names before you begin so you don't accidentally leave a paid dyno running.
Step 5: delete your account (optional)
If you want to remove your Heroku account entirely, navigate to your account settings and scroll to the bottom. Select Delete account and confirm your email address. Heroku will send a confirmation email; click the link to finalise deletion. This step is optional; many users keep their accounts in case they return to Heroku later.
Your legal position under new zealand consumer law
The Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 (New Zealand) establishes your rights when purchasing services, including cloud hosting. Heroku's cancellation process is your contractual right, and you may cancel without penalty once you have removed all paid resources. The Act requires service providers to deliver services with reasonable care and skill. If Heroku fails to stop billing after you have removed all dynos and add-ons, you have grounds to dispute the charge via your payment provider or escalate to the Commerce Commission (the New Zealand regulatory authority for consumer protection).
Your specific rights when cancelling
Under the Consumer Guarantees Act, you have the right to cancel services that are not fit for purpose or that fail to perform as represented. Heroku's terms permit you to remove resources at any time. Once removed, you should not be charged. If Heroku continues to bill you after cancellation, the charge is likely a breach of contract and the Act. Document your cancellation (screenshot the dashboard showing zero dynos) and contact your bank or credit card provider to dispute the charge if Heroku does not cease billing within 48 hours. Yafee recommends keeping records of all cancellation steps for at least 12 months.
Escalation pathway if Heroku refuses to stop billing
If Heroku disputes your cancellation or continues to charge you, contact Salesforce Support (Heroku's parent company) via email to request a formal account review. Provide screenshots showing zero dynos, the date of cancellation, and copies of unexpected charges. If Salesforce Support does not resolve the issue within 20 working days, file a complaint with the Commerce Commission using their online form at www.consumer.govt.nz. The Commission investigates consumer disputes and can mandate refunds or corrective action.
Refund eligibility and billing timelines
Heroku does not offer refunds for unused Eco dyno hours within the calendar month; once the billing cycle ends, those hours expire. However, you will not be charged for resources removed mid-month from your next billing date forward.
When charges stop
Once you remove a dyno or destroy an add-on, Heroku stops billing immediately. The charge will not appear on your next invoice. If an erroneous charge appears after cancellation, it typically reflects a system delay or a resource that was not fully removed. Contact Salesforce Support with your cancellation date to request a reversal. Most refund disputes are resolved within 5-10 business days.
Checking your final bill
After cancellation, monitor your next invoice (usually generated on your billing date) to confirm zero charges. If you spot unexpected costs, compare the invoice line items against your cancellation date. Yafee recommends saving your final invoice as proof of cancellation for records.
Common mistakes when cancelling Heroku
Cancellation is straightforward when you follow each step, but a few oversights can lead to unwanted charges or data loss. Take your time and verify each action.
Mistake 1: removing the database without backing it up
When you destroy a PostgreSQL or other database add-on, the data is permanently deleted. If you may need that data later, export it before destroying the add-on. Use Heroku's pg:backups command (via the Heroku CLI) to create a downloadable backup.
Mistake 2: forgetting to cancel add-ons and only removing the dyno
Many users remove their dyno (the compute layer) but leave PostgreSQL or other add-ons running. These will continue to bill. Yafee strongly recommends scrolling through the entire Resources tab and confirming that every paid add-on is destroyed before you consider cancellation complete.
Mistake 3: assuming free add-ons will auto-cancel
Free add-ons (such as the Heroku Connect free tier) do not incur charges and will not affect your account. You can leave them in place or remove them; the outcome is billing-neutral. However, paid add-ons must be explicitly destroyed.
Mistake 4: not documenting your cancellation
Take a screenshot of your Resources tab showing zero dynos and zero paid add-ons before you close your browser. This evidence is invaluable if a billing dispute arises later. Save this screenshot to your device or cloud storage with a date label.
What happens after you cancel Heroku
Once you remove all resources, your account enters a dormant state. Understanding what comes next prevents surprises and helps you maintain clean records.
Immediate effects
Your applications go offline instantly when you remove their dynos. Any end-users trying to access your app will receive an error. If you change your mind within minutes, you can recreate a dyno and redeploy your code, but only if you have backups of your codebase (typically stored in Git). Your account itself remains active and accessible for up to 365 days, allowing you to redeploy if you return to Heroku.
Billing after cancellation
Once all paid resources are removed, you will not be charged. Your next invoice should show NZ$0. Monitor your bank statements or credit card statements for 2-3 billing cycles to confirm no charges reappear. Yafee advises keeping your Heroku account login details secure so you can log in later if needed to dispute a charge or retrieve account information.
Data retention and account deletion
If you keep your account active, Heroku retains your account metadata, deployment history, and app configurations for 365 days after the last activity. If you delete your account (step 5 of the cancellation process), Heroku begins permanent deletion of your data within 30 days. Deletion is irreversible, so only choose this option if you are certain you will not return to Heroku.
Comparison: cancellation vs. downscaling
Some users benefit from downscaling rather than full cancellation. The following table outlines the key differences to help you choose the right approach.
| Aspect |
Full cancellation |
Downscaling to Eco |
| Monthly cost |
NZ$0 |
NZ$8.65 (Eco dyno only) |
| Application status |
Offline, fully deleted |
Online but sleeps when idle |
| Redeploy speed |
Requires full rebuild |
Minutes (code already deployed) |
| Data preservation |
Lost unless backed up |
Retained in free Postgres add-on |
| Suitable for |
Projects you won't return to |
Hobby projects, testing environments |
| Reversal difficulty |
High (rebuild required) |
Low (add dyno back immediately) |
Heroku does not maintain a physical office in New Zealand; all support is handled digitally. If you encounter errors during cancellation or need account assistance, you must contact Salesforce Support (Heroku's parent company) via email or the support portal.
How to reach Heroku support
Log into your Heroku dashboard and click the Help icon (usually in the bottom right corner) to access the support portal. Select Contact Support and describe your issue. Provide your Heroku app name, account email, and screenshots of the problem. Salesforce Support typically responds within 24-48 hours. For account billing disputes, explicitly state "billing dispute" in your subject line to route your request to the billing team.
No physical mailing address in new zealand
Heroku does not list a New Zealand mailing address; Salesforce's registered office is in the United States. All formal correspondence should go via the Heroku support portal. If you require a physical address for legal proceedings, Salesforce's USA office address (available on Salesforce.com) can be used, though New Zealand consumer law permits digital service of notice via your account email.
Key checklist before you cancel
Yafee recommends running through this list to ensure a clean, irreversible cancellation.
- Back up your PostgreSQL database (if needed) using
heroku pg:backups:capture.
- Download your application code from your Git repository to your local machine.
- Export any configuration variables or environment settings you may need later.
- Take a screenshot of your Resources tab showing all dynos and add-ons before cancellation.
- Remove all dynos from every application on your account.
- Destroy all paid add-ons, including PostgreSQL, Redis, and monitoring tools.
- Confirm your next invoice shows NZ$0 when it is generated.
- Save a copy of your final invoice as proof of cancellation.
- Decide whether to delete your account or keep it dormant for future use.
Summary: taking control of your Heroku cancellation
Cancelling Heroku is a straightforward process when you follow the dashboard steps methodically: remove dynos, destroy add-ons, and optionally delete your account. New Zealand consumer law-specifically the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993-protects your right to cancel services and shields you from unreasonable charges. If Heroku fails to stop billing, the Commerce Commission is your enforcement authority. Yafee has helped thousands of consumers cancel cloud services confidently by providing step-by-step guidance rooted in consumer rights and clear procedure. Whether you are scaling down or exiting entirely, document your cancellation, monitor your next bill, and keep records for at least 12 months. Yafee remains your trusted resource for understanding your legal position and executing cancellations without stress or hidden charges.