Coolify vs Dokploy
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted self-hosting platforms (paas) options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Not the right match-up?
Coolify
Self-hosted platform-as-a-service alternative to Heroku
VS
Dokploy
Open-source deployment platform for apps and databases
| Feature | Coolify | Dokploy |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Self-Hosting Platforms (PaaS) | Self-Hosting Platforms (PaaS) |
| License | Apache-2.0 | Apache-2.0 |
| Language | PHP | TypeScript |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 2,048 MB | 2,048 MB |
| Deployment | docker, one-click | docker, one-click |
| GitHub stars | ★ 60,232 | ★ 36,418 |
| First released | 2021 | 2024 |
| Replaces | Heroku, Netlify, Vercel | Vercel, Heroku, Render |
Why pick each one
Choose Coolify if…
- Released under the Apache-2.0 license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- One-click install on common self-host platforms
Choose Dokploy if…
- Released under the Apache-2.0 license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- One-click install on common self-host platforms
Frequently asked questions
Is Coolify or Dokploy better?
Neither is universally better. Coolify has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are Coolify and Dokploy free and open-source?
Yes. Coolify is licensed under Apache-2.0 and Dokploy under Apache-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Coolify and Dokploy with Docker?
Coolify: yes. Dokploy: yes.