Dokku vs CapRover
A detailed comparison to help you choose between Dokku and CapRover.
Quick Verdict
4.7/5
Dokku
251 reviews
3.8/5
CapRover
385 reviews
Dokku is rated higher (4.7 vs 3.8). Dokku is an open source PaaS you deploy on any VPS. Heroku-compatible buildpacks, Git push deployments, Let's Encrypt SSL, and Docker support. Run your own Heroku on a $5 Hetzner server. CapRover is a free, open source PaaS that runs on your own server. Deploy apps via CLI, dashboard, or GitHub Actions. One-click app templates for WordPress, Ghost, Mattermost, Nextcloud, and 100+ more.
Dokku Self-hosted mini Heroku on your own VPS | CapRover Self-hosted app deployment — free open source PaaS | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Rating | 4.7 (251 reviews)✓ | 3.8 (385 reviews) |
| Pricing model | free | free |
| Starting price | Free | Free |
| Best for | Developers who want Heroku-style deployments at VPS pricing on infrastructure they own and control | Developers wanting a free Heroku/Render alternative they self-host with one-click app deployments |
| Tags | ||
| Tags | free tieropen sourceself hostable | free tieropen sourceself hostable |
| Visit Dokku → | Visit CapRover → | |
Dokku
Pros
- + Free and open source — just need a VPS
- + Heroku buildpack compatible
- + Full control over your data and costs
Cons
- - Self-managed — you handle updates and maintenance
- - Requires Linux server knowledge
CapRover
Pros
- + 100+ one-click app templates
- + Run on any VPS for free
- + Docker-native architecture
Cons
- - Requires a server and self-management
- - Less polished than commercial PaaS
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