Dokploy
Self hosted deployment platform for apps, databases, Docker Compose stacks, domains, monitoring, backups, and multi server Docker Swarm deployments
Quick Start
curl -sSL https://dokploy.com/install.sh | bash Overview
Dokploy is a self hosted deployment platform for running apps, databases, and Docker Compose stacks on your own servers. It gives you a web dashboard for Git based deploys, Docker images, Compose projects, domains, SSL through Traefik, environment variables, logs, backups, and resource monitoring. If you are using a VPS and want something closer to Heroku, Vercel, or Netlify without handing over the runtime, Dokploy fits that job well.
The strongest case is for developers and small teams that already understand containers. Dokploy uses Docker Swarm for multi node setups, supports Nixpacks, Heroku Buildpacks, Dockerfiles, registries, and webhooks, and includes an API and CLI for automation. It can also manage common databases such as PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, MongoDB, Redis, and libSQL.
The tradeoff is operational responsibility. You still own the server, firewall, backups, updates, and dashboard security. Recent releases also show a heavy security fix cycle, so this is not a tool to expose casually without access controls. The core repo is mostly Apache 2.0, with proprietary enterprise code separated under a source available license. Self hosting is free, while Dokploy Cloud and enterprise features add paid options for teams that want managed control plane, SSO, audit logs, custom roles, and support.
Dokploy: Pros & Cons
| Pros (The Wins) | Cons (The Friction) |
|---|---|
| Cost & Value: Free self hosted edition Paid cloud option available. | Cost & Value: You still pay for servers Enterprise features are paid. |
| Deployment Workflow: Git, Docker, Compose and buildpack support. | Operations: You maintain updates, backups, and access control. |
| Scaling: Docker Swarm support works across nodes. | Maturity: Younger than Coolify with a smaller ecosystem. |
| Developer Control: API, CLI, Traefik, and database management. | Security Posture: Recent releases patched many sensitive issues. |
Use Cases
Specific ways to use Dokploy for your workflow.
Deployment Strategy
Recommended ways to host Dokploy in your own environment.