Dokku
The original Heroku-style PaaS for self-hosting. Older, simpler, smaller surface than Coolify.
VISIT DOKKUQuick facts
- CategorySelf-hosted PaaS
- PricingOpen source
- LicenseMIT
- Created2013
- GitHub stars30.7k
- Edge-readyNo
- Free tierYes
- Egress billingFair
Bundled services: Postgres Redis Let's Encrypt Plugin ecosystem
What it is
Dokku is the original Heroku-shape self-hostable PaaS, written in bash + Go, around since 2013. Mature, smaller feature surface than Coolify, simpler model. Plugin ecosystem for Postgres / Redis / Let's Encrypt. Used heavily by sysadmins who want a stable Heroku-shape platform without web-UI overhead.
Best for
- CLI-first deployments without web UI overhead
- Existing Dokku deployments — stable and well-maintained
- Single-developer servers where simplicity wins
When not to pick it
For new self-hosted PaaS deployments in 2026, Coolify has more momentum, more features, and a polished web UI. Dokku is fine but it is a slower-moving project.
My take
Dokku is mature and battle-tested but Coolify has overtaken it on velocity. Pick Dokku if you specifically want CLI-first and bash-script transparency; otherwise Coolify.
Links
Compare Dokku side-by-side
Similar tools you should also consider
If Dokku is your pick — the next conversation is short
The 30-min call is where your hosting choice becomes a real architecture, a migration plan if you are switching, and a price range you can take to your stakeholders without surprise bills in month 4. Describe your stack, your traffic shape, your budget. I tell you whether Dokku is genuinely your fit.