Coolify vs Dokploy: Self-Hosted PaaS Comparison

Quick answer: Coolify is the more mature option with better app templates and a larger community. Dokploy is simpler and lighter if you want minimal overhead.

Comparison Table

Criteria	Coolify	Dokploy
Maturity	3+ years, v4 stable	Newer, rapidly developing
App templates	100+ one-click apps	Growing catalog
Docker support	Full Docker Compose	Docker Compose
Git integration	GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket	GitHub, GitLab
SSL certificates	Let's Encrypt auto	Let's Encrypt auto
Database management	Built-in PostgreSQL, MySQL, etc.	Docker-based
Team features	Multi-user, permissions	Basic multi-user
Resource usage	~500MB RAM	~200MB RAM
Open source	Yes (AGPL)	Yes (MIT)

Coolify Overview

Coolify positions itself as a "self-hosted Heroku/Netlify alternative." It's been around longer and has more features.

Strengths

• Mature and stable. Version 4 is production-ready with years of development behind it.
• Rich app catalog. Over 100 one-click deployable applications.
• Better database management. Built-in support for creating and managing databases.
• Active community. Larger Discord, more GitHub activity, better documentation.
• Webhooks and notifications. Slack, Discord, email notifications built-in.

Weaknesses

• Higher resource usage. Needs more RAM to run comfortably (~500MB+).
• More complex. More features means more to learn and configure.
• AGPL license. Some teams prefer MIT for legal simplicity.

Best for

• Teams that want a full-featured PaaS experience
• Projects needing many one-click apps
• Users who value community and documentation

Dokploy Overview

Dokploy is a newer, lighter alternative focused on simplicity.

Strengths

• Lightweight. Uses less RAM and CPU than Coolify.
• Simpler interface. Fewer features, but easier to understand.
• MIT licensed. More permissive for commercial use.
• Fast iteration. Actively developed with frequent updates.

Weaknesses

• Smaller ecosystem. Fewer one-click apps and integrations.
• Less mature. Newer project, still evolving.
• Smaller community. Less documentation and community support.

Best for

• Developers who want minimal overhead
• Smaller projects with simpler needs
• Those who prefer MIT-licensed software

When to Pick Coolify

Pick Coolify if:

• You want the most mature self-hosted PaaS option
• You need a large catalog of one-click apps
• You value community support and documentation
• You need team features with permissions

When to Pick Dokploy

Pick Dokploy if:

• You want a lighter, simpler solution
• You're running on a smaller VPS
• You prefer MIT licensing
• You only need basic deployment features

Verdict

Coolify is the winner for most teams.

It's more mature, has better app templates, and a larger community. The extra resource usage is worth it for the features and stability.

Pick Dokploy if you specifically need something lighter or prefer the simpler approach.

Where to go next

Tutorials:

• Self-Host Supabase
• Deploy Docker to VPS

Related comparisons:

• Coolify vs ServerCompass
• Best Self-Hosted PaaS

ServerCompass:

• One-click deploys on your VPS