The problem they solve
Deploying an application on a “bare” VPS requires mastering Nginx, systemd, SSL certificates, environment variables, git deployments… Coolify and Dokploy automate all of this from a web interface. You push your code, and the platform handles deployment, SSL, routing, and monitoring.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Coolify | Dokploy |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | Rich, more features | Streamlined, quick to learn |
| Databases | PostgreSQL, MySQL, Redis, MongoDB… | PostgreSQL, MySQL, Redis, MongoDB |
| Git deployment | Yes (GitHub, GitLab, Gitea…) | Yes (GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket…) |
| Docker Compose support | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic SSL certificates | Yes (built-in Let's Encrypt) | Yes (Traefik + Let's Encrypt) |
| Multi-server | Yes (multiple VPS from one panel) | Yes |
| Project maturity | Older, large community | Newer, evolving quickly |
| Recommended minimum RAM | 2 GB (4 GB advised) | 1 GB (2 GB advised) |
When to choose Coolify
Coolify is the right choice if you manage several servers from a single panel, if you need broad support for application types (services, databases, static applications, proxies), or if you want an active community and comprehensive documentation. Its interface is richer, which may require a slight learning curve.
When to choose Dokploy
Dokploy shines through its simplicity. If you deploy Node.js, Python, or PHP applications from GitHub on a single server, its straightforward interface and immediate ease of use make it the fastest choice. Its Traefik integration for routing and certificates is particularly clean.
What they have in common
Both tools are free, open source, and install on any Linux VPS with Docker. Both handle deployments from a git repository, automatic SSL certificates, environment variables, and managed databases. The choice depends less on features than on your usage context and interface preferences.
Both tools are available as MegaDomaine VPS templates. You can test each of them on two separate VPS before deciding which one best matches your workflow.
