Docker vs Kubernetes

by Gralio Feb 07, 2025

Docker and Kubernetes address different container management needs. Docker simplifies packaging and deployment, while Kubernetes excels at orchestration and scaling for complex deployments. Choose Docker for ease of use and smaller projects, and Kubernetes for robust management of large, scalable applications.

At Gralio.ai we help to simplify your decision-making process by offering detailed, side-by-side software comparisons like this one, to help you confidently choose the tool that aligns with your business goals.

This comparison was created by analysing 769 reviews and 55 websites, saving 4 hours, 43 minutes of reading.

Docker

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Kubernetes

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About

Docker is a tool that lets you package and run software in standardized units called "containers." Imagine a container ship, but for software! This makes it easy to move and deploy applications reliably across different environments, like your own servers or the cloud. Docker is especially popular with developers and IT teams at companies of all sizes because it simplifies software management and makes deployments smoother.

Kubernetes is a tool that helps you manage and run applications packaged in containers, which are like lightweight virtual machines. It offers features for deploying, scaling, and managing these containerized applications. Kubernetes is particularly valuable for companies with applications that need to handle lots of users or data, as it simplifies running those applications across multiple servers. This ensures reliability and makes it easy to adjust resources as needed.

Summary

Main difference

Docker excels at simplifying application packaging and deployment, making it ideal for development and smaller deployments. Kubernetes, while more complex, offers robust orchestration and scaling for complex, high-traffic applications.

Relative strengths of Docker (compared to Kubernetes)

Easier setup and usage, especially for smaller projects and individual developers.
Extensive community support and readily available resources.
Cost-effective for basic containerization needs, with a free tier available.

Relative weaknesses of Docker (compared to Kubernetes)

Limited scalability compared to Kubernetes, particularly for large and complex applications.
Simpler orchestration features, lacking the advanced capabilities of Kubernetes.
Less suitable for complex deployments requiring advanced networking and resource management.

Who should use Docker VS. Kubernetes

Docker simplifies software packaging and deployment with containers. This streamlines workflows for developers and IT teams, ensuring consistent performance across environments. Users praise its ease of use and deployment but note potential memory issues. Docker is ideal for teams seeking a robust yet user-friendly containerization solution.

Kubernetes simplifies running applications in containers, offering automated scaling and management across multiple servers. This makes it ideal for businesses with high-traffic applications or fluctuating data demands. Kubernetes excels at streamlining complex deployments and ensuring reliability.

Ideal for small, medium, and large companies seeking efficient software deployment.
Best suited for IT and software companies.

Ideal for small to medium-sized businesses seeking a scalable and cost-effective cloud solution.
Best for technology companies needing flexible and efficient IT operations.

Docker and Kubernetes features

Supported

Partially supported

Not supported

Type in the name of the feature or in your own words tell us what you need

Container deployment

Supported

Docker extensively supports container deployment and management, providing tools for containerization, orchestration, networking, and cloud deployment.

Supported

Kubernetes is designed to deploy and manage containerized applications.
On-premises deployment

Supported

Docker supports on-premises deployment, allowing users to deploy container images to on-premises servers. It offers tools and methods for automating the deployment of container images, loading images to local registries, and running containers on on-premises servers.

Supported

Kubernetes fully supports on-premises deployments.
Solaris support

Not supported

Docker does not currently support deploying images to Solaris.

Not supported

Kubernetes does not support deploying containers to Solaris.
Cloud instance deployment

Supported

Docker enables deploying container images to cloud instances like AWS EC2 and Google Compute Engine, as evidenced by the sources. It offers various methods, including manual Docker installation on EC2, leveraging Amazon ECS for automated deployments, and utilizing Google Cloud tools for container deployment on Compute Engine.

Supported

Kubernetes deploys containers to cloud instances like AWS EC2 and Google Compute Engine.
Image storage

Supported

Docker supports storing container images in a centralized repository through Docker Hub and Docker Registry.

Partially supported

Kubernetes uses external container registries, like Docker Hub, for image storage.
Visual Studio Code IDE

Unknown

Sorry. We were unable to determine if this feature is supported.

Supported

Kubernetes supports building, deploying, and managing via VS Code and extensions. Debugging is supported via Bridge to Kubernetes.

Qualities

Value and Pricing Transparency

+0.27

Neutral sentiment

No data
Customer Service

-0.33

Rather negative sentiment

No data
Ease of Use

+0.84

Strongly positive sentiment

No data
Reliability and Performance

+0.49

Rather positive sentiment

No data
Ease of Implementation

+0.49

Rather positive sentiment

No data
Scalability

+0.64

Rather positive sentiment

No data

Docker and Kubernetes Pricing

Docker offers a free trial for Docker Build Cloud and Testcontainers Cloud. Access is granted with reasonable use when logged in. Included usage is per month per subscription, with options to buy more.

Plans

User sentiment

Strongly positive

See full Pricing page

American Cloud offers customized Dedicated Cloud Compute packages starting at $0.03/hr or $19.50/mo. They also offer pre-configured Dedicated plans with varying vCPU, RAM, and SSD.

Plans

See full Pricing page

Docker and Kubernetes review insights

769 reviews analysed from and

Users love

Easy application deployment and environment consistency across platforms
Effective dependency management and isolation of applications
Wide variety of features and seamless integration with cloud environments
Strong community support and extensive documentation
Docker Hub provides a vast repository of pre-built images

No data

Users dislike

High memory consumption, especially the Docker daemon
Occasional networking issues, particularly with Docker Swarm
Lack of enterprise-level support for production environments
Steep learning curve for beginners, especially with CLI

No data

Docker and Kubernetes Ratings

G2

4.6/5

(236)
Capterra

4.6/5

(522)
Glassdoor

3.4/5

(119)

G2

4.7/5

(11)

Company health

Employee growth

10% increase in the last year

14% increase in the last year

Web traffic

1% decrease in the last quarter

No data

Financing

November 2021 - $436M

No data

How do Docker's ease of use and Kubernetes' scalability compare for my team?

Docker is generally considered easier to use, especially for getting started with containerization, due to its simpler CLI and user-friendly tools. Kubernetes, while more complex, offers significantly better scalability and advanced orchestration features for managing large, complex deployments across clusters of servers. If your team is new to containers, Docker's ease of use might be beneficial initially. However, if scalability is a primary concern, Kubernetes is the stronger choice, despite the steeper learning curve.

Which product best supports our existing cloud infrastructure on AWS or GCP?

Both Docker and Kubernetes can be deployed on AWS and GCP. Docker provides tools for containerization and can be used with AWS ECS or Google Compute Engine. Kubernetes is a container orchestration platform that integrates directly with both cloud providers for resource management and scaling. Choosing between them depends on the complexity of your containerized applications. If you need robust orchestration and scaling, Kubernetes is a better choice. For simpler deployments, Docker might suffice.

What are the advantages of Docker?

Docker simplifies application deployment by packaging software into portable containers, ensuring consistency across different environments. It also excels at dependency management, isolating applications to prevent conflicts. Docker Hub provides a vast library of pre-built images, further streamlining development. Finally, a strong community and ample documentation offer readily available support.

What are the disadvantages of Docker?

Docker can consume significant memory, especially the Docker daemon, potentially impacting system performance. Networking issues can arise, particularly with Docker Swarm. Robust, enterprise-level support for production environments may be lacking. Beginners might face a steep learning curve, especially with the command-line interface.

Is Docker cheaper than Kubernetes?

Docker can be cheaper than Kubernetes depending on your usage. Docker's desktop version is free for personal use, and paid plans start at $9/month. Kubernetes itself is open-source and free, but using it often involves cloud provider costs for compute resources, which can vary significantly. Therefore, for basic containerization on a single machine, Docker can be less expensive. However, for complex, scaled deployments, Kubernetes' cost depends on the infrastructure it runs on, and could be more or less than Docker's paid tiers.

Alternatives to Docker and Kubernetes

Tanzu

Tanzu, by Broadcom, is a suite of tools designed to help businesses build, run, and manage software applications using containers. It simplifies the process of deploying and scaling applications, while also enhancing security measures. Tanzu caters to mid-to-large sized companies across various industries who are modernizing their software development practices. It stands out with its comprehensive approach, covering the entire application lifecycle.

Azure App Service

Azure App Service is Microsoft's fully managed platform for building, deploying, and scaling web apps. It supports various programming languages and frameworks, allowing your developers to focus on building great apps without managing infrastructure. It simplifies API creation and consumption, and scales to meet your business needs.

Flockport

Flockport is a software that helps you manage and deploy applications packaged in containers. It offers tools for moving these applications between your own systems and different cloud providers. This allows for flexible and potentially cost-effective use of computing resources. Flockport is particularly interesting for companies managing their own cloud infrastructure or those looking for easy ways to move applications between different environments.

Microsoft Azure

Microsoft Azure is a cloud computing platform offering a wide range of services, from basic infrastructure like virtual servers and storage to advanced data analytics and artificial intelligence tools. Favored by many large corporations, Azure allows you to build and manage applications and services on a global network. Its flexibility allows for on-site, hybrid, and cloud-based solutions to meet your company's specific needs.

UltaHost

UltaHost is a web hosting provider offering a range of solutions including shared hosting, WordPress hosting, VPS, and dedicated servers. They focus on speed and security, utilizing SSD storage, caching, and security features like firewalls and malware scanning. UltaHost promises reliable uptime and customer support available 24/7. They target individuals and businesses seeking fast and secure hosting with various plans to fit different needs and budgets.

Kubernetes on Ubuntu

Kubernetes on Ubuntu helps you manage and run your applications in a more efficient and scalable way. Think of it like an automated conductor for your software, making sure everything runs smoothly. It packages your applications into containers (like organized boxes), making them easy to move, scale, and manage. This is especially useful for growing companies that want flexibility and efficiency in their IT operations. Kubernetes on Ubuntu is open source and can be used across different cloud providers, giving you freedom and avoiding vendor lock-in.

Page co-authored by

Michal Kaczor

CEO at Gralio

Michal has worked at startups for many years and writes about topics relating to software selection and IT management. As a former consultant for Bain, a business advisory company, he also knows how to understand needs of any business and find solutions to its problems.

Tymon Terlikiewicz

CTO at Gralio

Tymon is a seasoned CTO who loves finding the perfect tools for any task. He recently headed up the tech department at Batmaid, a well-known Swiss company, where he managed about 60 software purchases, including CX, HR, Payroll, Marketing automation and various developer tools.

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