Hey everyone!
I’m working on a Telegram bot project and I’m wondering about hosting options. I’ve heard about Heroku’s free plan and I’m curious if it would work for my needs.
Here’s what I’m looking to do:
- Set up a webhook for my bot
- Use Node.js for the backend
- Handle incoming text messages
Has anyone tried using Heroku’s free tier for something like this? I’m a bit new to bot hosting, so I’m not sure if there are any limitations I should be aware of. Would it be reliable enough for a small-scale bot?
Any advice or experiences you could share would be super helpful. Thanks in advance!
While Heroku’s free tier can indeed host a Telegram bot, it comes with some significant drawbacks. The main issue is the sleep function, which idles your app after 30 minutes of inactivity. This can lead to slow response times when your bot ‘wakes up’. Additionally, you’re limited to 550 dyno hours per month, which might not be sufficient for 24/7 operation. For a more reliable solution, you might want to explore affordable VPS options or consider Heroku’s paid tiers if you’re comfortable with their ecosystem. Remember to factor in potential scaling needs as your bot grows in popularity.
hi laura, i triyed heroku’s free tier for a bot and it worked fine for low traffic. just watch out for downtime when it’s inactive. if uptime is key, you might wanna consider another option.
I’ve been running a Telegram bot on Heroku’s free tier for a few months now, and it’s been a mixed bag. The good news is that it can definitely handle your basic requirements - webhook setup, Node.js backend, and processing text messages. However, there are some quirks to be aware of.
The biggest issue I’ve encountered is the dyno sleep feature. Your bot will essentially ‘nod off’ after 30 minutes of inactivity, which can lead to slow initial responses when it wakes up. This might frustrate users if they’re expecting instant replies.
Another thing to consider is the 550 dyno hours limit per month. It’s usually enough for small-scale projects, but if your bot gains popularity, you might find yourself bumping up against that ceiling.
On the plus side, the deployment process is straightforward, and the free PostgreSQL database add-on can be handy for storing user data or bot state.
If you’re just starting out and want to get your feet wet, Heroku’s free tier can work. But be prepared to potentially upgrade or switch platforms as your bot grows.