Directus 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?
Directus
Instant REST and GraphQL API for any SQL database
VS
Dokploy
Open-source deployment platform for apps and databases
| Feature | Directus | Dokploy |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Self-Hosting Platforms (PaaS) | Self-Hosting Platforms (PaaS) |
| License | BSL-1.1 | Apache-2.0 |
| Language | TypeScript | TypeScript |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 1,024 MB | 2,048 MB |
| Deployment | docker, kubernetes, binary | docker, one-click |
| GitHub stars | ★ 37,238 | ★ 36,418 |
| First released | 2015 | 2024 |
| Replaces | Contentful, Firebase | Vercel, Heroku, Render |
Why pick each one
Choose Directus if…
- Released under the BSL-1.1 license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Kubernetes-ready with Helm charts available
- Mature project with 37.2k GitHub stars
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 Directus or Dokploy better?
Neither is universally better. Directus has the larger community, while Dokploy is simpler to set up (easy difficulty). Choose based on the comparison table above and your own setup.
Are Directus and Dokploy free and open-source?
Yes. Directus is licensed under BSL-1.1 and Dokploy under Apache-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Directus and Dokploy with Docker?
Directus: yes. Dokploy: yes.