Coolify
Open-source Heroku/Netlify you host
Dokploy
An open-source, self-hostable platform for deploying applications and databases with Docker and Traefik, positioned as a Vercel/Netlify/Heroku alternative you own.
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Dokploy is an open-source, self-hostable Platform-as-a-Service that presents itself as an alternative to Vercel, Netlify, and Heroku for teams running on their own servers or VPS. It wraps Docker and Traefik behind a web UI to handle application deployment, managed databases, reverse proxy and TLS, automated backups, and multi-node orchestration via Docker Swarm. The core is open source under Apache 2.0 and free to self-host, with an optional managed cloud and a paid enterprise tier layered on top.
Key features
- Deploys apps via Nixpacks, Heroku buildpacks, custom Dockerfiles, and Docker Compose
- Managed databases for PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, MongoDB, and Redis with automated backups to external storage
- Built-in Traefik integration for domains, routing, and automatic TLS certificates
- Multi-node scaling and clustering through Docker Swarm
- Library of one-click templates for common open-source apps
- CLI, REST API, role-based access control, and notifications (Slack, Discord, Telegram, email)
Specs
| Category | Self-hosted PaaS |
|---|---|
| Pricing model | free-open-source |
| Free tier | Yes |
| Managed database | Yes |
| Regions | self-hosted |
| Self-hostable | Yes |
| Docker-native | Yes |
| Git deploy | Yes |
| Open source | Yes |
Last reviewed 2026-07-16 โ see our methodology. Specs, pricing and free tiers change often, so confirm current details on the provider before deciding.
Pros & cons
Our editorial assessment โ not vendor-stated facts.
Pros
- Open-core and self-hosted: the core is Apache-2.0 licensed and runs on your own infrastructure, avoiding vendor lock-in and limiting cost to the servers you use
- Flexible build options (buildpacks, Dockerfile, Compose) cover most stacks and languages
- Fast setup, typically a single install command from a bare server to a working platform
- Native multi-server and multi-node support built in rather than bolted on
- Broad template catalog makes standing up common services quick
Cons
- Orchestration is Docker Swarm only, with no Kubernetes support, so you inherit Swarm's limited native autoscaling and thinner advanced-networking options
- Self-hosting the free tier puts updates, security, backups, and disaster recovery on you
- Some team features, including SSO/SAML, fine-grained RBAC, audit logs, and whitelabeling, are gated behind the paid enterprise tier rather than the open-source core
- Younger and smaller ecosystem than mature PaaS options, with fewer third-party integrations and occasional UI/state-sync rough edges
- Assumes baseline familiarity with Docker, DNS, and server administration
Pricing
The self-hosted core is free and open source (Apache 2.0), with cost limited to the servers you run it on and no per-seat or per-deployment fees. An optional managed Dokploy Cloud is billed per server per month, with tiers for hobby and team use, and a custom-priced enterprise tier (cloud or self-hosted) adds SSO, audit logs, fine-grained RBAC, and SLA-backed support.
Who should use Dokploy?
Developers and small-to-mid-sized teams who want a Heroku-like deployment experience on their own VPS or dedicated servers and are comfortable managing their own infrastructure. A good fit where cost control and avoiding vendor lock-in matter more than managed autoscaling or Kubernetes-grade orchestration.
Frequently asked questions
- Does Dokploy have a free tier?
- Yes.
- How much does Dokploy cost?
- The self-hosted core is free and open source (Apache 2.0), with cost limited to the servers you run it on and no per-seat or per-deployment fees. An optional managed Dokploy Cloud is billed per server per month, with tiers for hobby and team use, and a custom-priced enterprise tier (cloud or self-hosted) adds SSO, audit logs, fine-grained RBAC, and SLA-backed support.
- Who should use Dokploy?
- Developers and small-to-mid-sized teams who want a Heroku-like deployment experience on their own VPS or dedicated servers and are comfortable managing their own infrastructure. A good fit where cost control and avoiding vendor lock-in matter more than managed autoscaling or Kubernetes-grade orchestration.
Dokploy alternatives
Dokku
The smallest PaaS you can build
CapRover
One-click apps, self-hosted
Heroku
The original git-push PaaS
~$25/mo
Render
Often called the closest Heroku replacement
~$7/mo
Cloudways
Managed cloud on DO/AWS/Vultr, no server ops
~$11/mo
See all Dokploy alternatives โ
Dokploy head-to-head
Dokploy pricing โ ยท Free tier โ ยท Compare all โ ยท Estimate cost โ
Recommended VPS to run Dokploy on
Dokploy is free to self-host โ you just need a server. Solid, low-cost options:
- DigitalOcean โ โ Reliable droplets, predictable pricing, and a managed Postgres option if you want it.
- Hetzner โ โ The cheapest verified pricing here โ EU/US cloud VPS from a few dollars a month, strong price/performance.
- Contabo โ โ High RAM for the money, good for budget self-hosting (list pricing not independently re-verified).
Recommended-VPS links may be affiliate links โ see disclosure.