# Docker vs Portainer

**Leader by vioscaleAI score:** Docker

| Attribute | Docker | Portainer |
|---|---|---|
| **vioscaleAI score** | 70.4 (61% (medium)) | 54.7 (21% (low)) |
| activity.commits_last_30d | 100 | - |
| adoption.dependent_repos | 1,657 | - |
| adoption.github_stars | 72,148 | - |
| content.faq | `[{"answer":"Docker is a containerization platform that enables developers to package applications and their dependencies into isolated containers. It provides build tools, container engines, registries, and orchestration capabilities for managing containerized systems. It is indexed under Container Orchestration Tools.","source":"https://www.docker.com","question":"What is Docker?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"Docker is open source, so it can be self-hosted and used at no licence cost. It is released under the Apache-2.0 licence. A commercial or hosted edition starts at $9 per user per month. Prices are published openly on the vendor's own pricing page. Pricing changes often, so verify at source before relying on it.","source":"https://www.docker.com","question":"Is Docker free to use?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"Docker supports Windows, Linux and a command-line interface. Platforms we have not confirmed are simply not listed here rather than ruled out.","source":"https://www.docker.com","question":"What platforms does Docker support?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"Yes. Docker can be deployed self-hosted, so it does not have to run on the vendor's infrastructure.","source":"https://www.docker.com","question":"Can Docker be self-hosted?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"We have independently confirmed SOC 2, ISO 27001 and GDPR for Docker. Certifications we do not list are ones we have not been able to verify from public sources, which is not the same as Docker not holding them. Always confirm compliance directly before you rely on it.","source":"https://www.docker.com/trust","question":"What security certifications does Docker have?","confidence":0.7},{"answer":"Yes. Docker is published under the Apache-2.0 licence, a permissive licence that generally allows commercial use and modification. Licence terms can change between releases, so verify against the repository for the version you intend to use.","source":"https://github.com/moby/moby","question":"Is Docker open source?","confidence":0.95},{"answer":"Docker is available worldwide. Its primary market is the United States.","source":"https://www.docker.com","question":"Where is Docker available?","confidence":0.5}]` | `[{"answer":"A unified control plane enabling IT teams to consistently govern, deploy, and manage Docker, Swarm, and Kubernetes environments at scale while reducing dependency on deep container orchestration expertise. It is indexed under Container Orchestration Tools.","source":"https://www.portainer.io/business-enterprise-it-pricing","question":"What is Portainer?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"Portainer offers a free tier, so you can start without paying. Paid plans are also available: Starter, Scale, Enterprise and Industrial & IoT. Pricing changes often, so verify at source before relying on it.","source":"https://www.portainer.io/business-enterprise-it-pricing","question":"Is Portainer free?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"We have confirmed browser-based access to Portainer. That is the extent of what we could verify from public sources, so it may well offer desktop or mobile clients we have not indexed.","source":"https://www.portainer.io/business-enterprise-it-pricing","question":"What platforms does Portainer support?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"Yes. Portainer can be deployed cloud / SaaS, hybrid, on-premise and self-hosted, so it does not have to run on the vendor's infrastructure.","source":"https://www.portainer.io/business-enterprise-it-pricing","question":"Can Portainer be self-hosted?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"We have confirmed 24 integrations for Portainer, including Active Directory, LDAP, OAuth, Helm, Git repositories, Kubernetes (EKS, AKS, GKE), Docker and Swarm, plus 16 more. This is what we could verify from public sources, so the vendor may support others we have not indexed.","source":"https://www.portainer.io/business-enterprise-it-pricing","question":"What does Portainer integrate with?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"We have independently confirmed GDPR for Portainer. Certifications we do not list are ones we have not been able to verify from public sources, which is not the same as Portainer not holding them. Always confirm compliance directly before you rely on it.","source":"https://www.portainer.io/business-enterprise-it-pricing","question":"What security certifications does Portainer have?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"Portainer is available worldwide. Its primary market is the United States.","source":"https://www.portainer.io/business-enterprise-it-pricing","question":"Where is Portainer available?","confidence":0.5}]` |
| deployment.options | `{"self_hosted":true}` | `{"hybrid":true,"on_prem":true,"self_hosted":true}` |
| description.long | An open-source project providing toolkit components for containerization, designed for engineers and developers to modify, experiment with, and build container-based systems. It includes container build tools, registries, orchestration, runtimes, and other components that work together but can be independently swapped. | Portainer provides centralized governance of Kubernetes, Docker Swarm, and Podman across multiple clusters and environments. It includes role-based access control, GitOps deployment workflows, centralized authentication, and audit logging from a single management console. |
| features.capabilities | `{"hosting":"both","rootless":true,"gui_dashboard":true,"orchestration":"swarm","windows_containers":true,"built_in_networking_cni":true}` | `{"hosting":"self","arm_support":true,"gui_dashboard":true,"orchestration":"kubernetes","stateful_workloads":true,"windows_containers":true,"managed_control_plane":true}` |
| integrations.count | - | 8 |
| integrations.list | - | `[{"name":"Active Directory"},{"name":"LDAP"},{"name":"OAuth"},{"name":"Helm"},{"name":"Git repositories"},{"name":"Kubernetes (EKS, AKS, GKE)"},{"name":"Docker"},{"name":"Swarm"},{"name":"Podman"},{"name":"Talos"},{"name":"Omni"},{"name":"S3-compatible storage"},{"name":"OPC connectivity"},{"name":"MQTT"},{"name":"Argo"},{"name":"Flux"},{"name":"Docker Hub"},{"name":"Matomo Analytics"},{"name":"Kubernetes","native":true,"category":"orchestrator"},{"name":"Docker Swarm","native":true,"category":"orchestrator"},{"name":"Git","native":false,"category":"version control","direction":"bidirectional"},{"name":"OPA Gatekeeper","native":false,"category":"policy enforcement"},{"name":"Slack","native":false,"category":"chat","direction":"outbound"},{"name":"Matomo","native":false,"category":"analytics"},{"name":"OIDC","category":"identity","direction":"inbound"},{"name":"SSO","category":"identity","direction":"inbound"},{"name":"AWS EKS","category":"cloud"},{"name":"Azure AKS","category":"cloud"},{"name":"Google GKE","category":"cloud"},{"name":"Syslog","native":true,"category":"logging","direction":"outbound"}]` |
| language.primary | Go | - |
| license.spdx | Apache-2.0 | - |
| market.availability | `{"primaryMarkets":["US"],"availabilityScope":"global","availableCountries":[],"notAvailableCountries":[]}` | `{"hqCountry":"NZ","primaryMarkets":[],"availabilityScope":"global","availableCountries":[],"notAvailableCountries":[]}` |
| platform.support | `{"cli":true,"linux":true,"windows":true}` | `{"web":true}` |
| pricing | `{"type":"hybrid","plans":[{"free":true,"name":"Docker Personal","summary":"Free","features":["Docker Desktop","Docker Engine + Kubernetes","Docker Hub","Docker Scout","Docker Debug"],"minSeats":1,"components":[{"kind":"fixed","amount":0,"period":"month","currency":"USD"}],"description":"For individual developers who need the essential tools to build and deploy containers.","contactSales":false,"includedLimits":{"scout_repos":"1","private_hub_repos":"1","hub_pulls_per_hour":"100"}},{"free":false,"name":"Docker Pro","summary":"$9/seat/month (monthly billing) or $11/seat/month (annual billing)","features":["Docker Build Cloud","Testcontainers Cloud","Synchronized File Shares","Docker Scout health scores visibility","5 business day support"],"minSeats":1,"commitment":"monthly","components":[{"kind":"per_unit","unit":"seat","amount":9,"period":"month","currency":"USD"}],"description":"For individual professionals who require more advanced features and additional resources.","contactSales":false,"includedLimits":{"scout_repos":"2","build_cloud_minutes":"200","testcontainers_cloud_minutes":"100"}},{"free":false,"name":"Docker Team","summary":"$15/seat/month (monthly billing) or $16/seat/month (annual billing)","features":["Add users in bulk","Audit logs","Docker Hub role-based access control","2 business day support"],"commitment":"monthly","components":[{"kind":"per_unit","unit":"seat","amount":15,"period":"month","currency":"USD"}],"description":"For small teams that need collaborative tools to make working together more efficient.","contactSales":false,"includedLimits":{"users":"Up to 100","org_tokens":"10","scout_repos":"Unlimited","hub_organizations":"1","private_hub_repos":"Unlimited","build_cloud_minutes":"500","testcontainers_cloud_minutes":"500"}},{"free":false,"name":"Docker Business","summary":"$24/seat/month","features":["Hardened Docker Desktop","Single Sign-On (SSO)","SCIM user provisioning","Image and Registry Access Management","Desktop Insights Dashboard","Enhanced Container Isolation (ECI)","Purchase via invoice","1 business day support response"],"commitment":"annual","components":[{"kind":"per_unit","unit":"seat","amount":24,"period":"month","currency":"USD"}],"description":"For enterprises desiring robust security, control, and compliance features.","contactSales":true,"includedLimits":{"users":"No cap","org_tokens":"100","scout_repos":"Unlimited","hub_organizations":"Unlimited","private_hub_repos":"Unlimited","build_cloud_minutes":"1500","testcontainers_cloud_minutes":"1500"}}],"addOns":[{"name":"Docker Hardened Images (DHI) - Community","components":[{"kind":"fixed","amount":0,"currency":"USD"}]},{"name":"Docker Hardened Images (DHI) - Select","components":[{"kind":"one_time","amount":5000,"currency":"USD"}]},{"name":"Docker Hardened Images (DHI) - Enterprise"}],"summary":"From free (Personal tier) to $24/seat/month (Business). Docker Hardened Images starting at $5k/repo (Select tier).","currency":"USD","freeTier":true,"sourceUrl":"https://www.docker.com","retrievedAt":"2026-08-05T14:07:34.514Z","startingPrice":{"amount":9,"period":"month","currency":"USD"},"billingPeriods":["month","year"]}` | `{"type":"subscription","plans":[{"free":false,"name":"Starter","summary":"$1,045/year","features":["Community support","Online purchase only"],"commitment":"annual","components":[{"kind":"fixed","amount":1045,"period":"year","currency":"USD"}],"description":"For small teams getting started with container management","contactSales":false,"includedLimits":{"vCPU":"16 per node","nodes":"5, 10, or 15"}},{"free":false,"name":"Scale","summary":"$2,095/year","features":["9x5 next business day support","Vendor onboarding","Available through resellers"],"commitment":"annual","components":[{"kind":"fixed","amount":2095,"period":"year","currency":"USD"}],"description":"For growing teams that demand higher performance and team support","contactSales":false,"includedLimits":{"vCPU":"24 per node","nodes":"5 to 25"}},{"free":false,"name":"Enterprise","summary":"Custom pricing","features":["9x5 support with 24/7 option","Assigned support engineer","Security assessment report","TAA compliance certificate","Production and non-production nodes","Customizable license agreement","Managed platform services option"],"description":"For business-critical deployments requiring priority support and compliance coverage","contactSales":true,"includedLimits":{"vCPU":"32 to unlimited","nodes":"32 to unlimited"}}],"summary":"From $1,045/year. Free tier: 3 nodes.","currency":"USD","freeTier":true,"sourceUrl":"https://www.portainer.io/business-iiot-pricing","retrievedAt":"2026-10-05T11:14:17.236Z","freeTrialDays":45,"startingPrice":{"amount":1045,"period":"year","currency":"USD"},"billingPeriods":["year"]}` |
| pricing.free_tier | yes | yes |
| pricing.model | open_source | freemium |
| pricing.price_level | free | high |
| pricing.starting_price | - | `{"amount":1045,"currency":"USD"}` |
| pricing.transparent | yes | yes |
| release.cadence_days | 2 | - |
| release.history | `[{"url":"https://github.com/moby/moby/releases/tag/client/v0.6.1","date":"2026-10-01T18:24:59Z","type":"stable","version":"client/v0.6.1"},{"url":"https://github.com/moby/moby/releases/tag/api/v1.56.1","date":"2026-10-01T17:59:25Z","type":"stable","version":"api/v1.56.1"},{"url":"https://github.com/moby/moby/releases/tag/docker-v29.9.0-rc.1","date":"2026-10-01T20:56:17Z","type":"prerelease","version":"docker-v29.9.0-rc.1"},{"url":"https://github.com/moby/moby/releases/tag/v25.0.18","date":"2026-09-30T15:54:00Z","type":"stable","version":"v25.0.18"},{"url":"https://github.com/moby/moby/releases/tag/docker-v29.8.2","date":"2026-09-30T20:28:33Z","type":"stable","version":"docker-v29.8.2"},{"url":"https://github.com/moby/moby/releases/tag/docker-v29.8.1","date":"2026-09-15T17:05:26Z","type":"stable","version":"docker-v29.8.1"},{"url":"https://github.com/moby/moby/releases/tag/docker-v29.8.0","date":"2026-09-03T22:31:49Z","type":"stable","version":"docker-v29.8.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/moby/moby/releases/tag/client/v0.6.0","date":"2026-09-03T21:03:01Z","type":"stable","version":"client/v0.6.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/moby/moby/releases/tag/api/v1.56.0","date":"2026-09-03T20:43:14Z","type":"stable","version":"api/v1.56.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/moby/moby/releases/tag/docker-v29.8.0-rc.1","date":"2026-08-28T20:48:41Z","type":"prerelease","version":"docker-v29.8.0-rc.1"},{"url":"https://github.com/moby/moby/releases/tag/docker-v29.7.2","date":"2026-08-06T10:35:19Z","type":"stable","version":"docker-v29.7.2"},{"url":"https://github.com/moby/moby/releases/tag/docker-v29.7.1","date":"2026-07-31T17:36:24Z","type":"stable","version":"docker-v29.7.1"},{"url":"https://github.com/moby/moby/releases/tag/docker-v29.7.0","date":"2026-07-30T21:38:11Z","type":"stable","version":"docker-v29.7.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/moby/moby/releases/tag/client/v0.5.1","date":"2026-07-27T19:09:03Z","type":"stable","version":"client/v0.5.1"},{"url":"https://github.com/moby/moby/releases/tag/docker-v29.7.0-rc.1","date":"2026-07-28T09:01:20Z","type":"prerelease","version":"docker-v29.7.0-rc.1"},{"url":"https://github.com/moby/moby/releases/tag/docker-v29.6.2","date":"2026-07-16T16:55:29Z","type":"stable","version":"docker-v29.6.2"},{"url":"https://github.com/moby/moby/releases/tag/v25.0.17","date":"2026-08-13T00:25:05Z","type":"stable","version":"v25.0.17"},{"url":"https://github.com/moby/moby/releases/tag/docker-v29.6.1","date":"2026-06-26T12:29:14Z","type":"stable","version":"docker-v29.6.1"},{"url":"https://github.com/moby/moby/releases/tag/docker-v29.6.0","date":"2026-06-18T20:43:10Z","type":"stable","version":"docker-v29.6.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/moby/moby/releases/tag/client/v0.5.0","date":"2026-06-18T19:36:11Z","type":"stable","version":"client/v0.5.0"}]` | - |
| reliability.status_page | yes | - |
| security.certifications | - | `[{"name":"TAA Compliance","status":"active"}]` |
| security.disclosure_policy | yes | yes |
| security.gdpr | yes | yes |
| security.iso27001 | yes | - |
| security.scorecard | 9.1 | - |
| security.soc2 | yes | - |
| security.trust_center | https://www.docker.com/blog/eu-ai-act-compliance/ | - |
| security.vulnerabilities | `{"count":13,"source":"https://advisories.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/advisories?ecosystem=go&package_name=github.com%2Fmoby%2Fmoby&per_page=100","last_12m":4,"max_severity":"HIGH"}` | - |

## Capabilities (Container Orchestration Tools)

| Capability | Docker | Portainer |
|---|:--:|:--:|
| **Core** |  |  |
| Orchestration scope | Swarm / Compose | Kubernetes |
| **Deployment** |  |  |
| Hosting | Cloud + self-hosted | Self-hosted only |
| **Standards** |  |  |
| OCI / CRI compliant | - | - |
| CNCF Certified Kubernetes conformant | - | - |
| **Security** |  |  |
| Rootless operation | ✓ | - |
| **Architecture** |  |  |
| Daemonless architecture | - | - |
| **Platform** |  |  |
| Windows containers | ✓ | ✓ |
| ARM architecture support | - | ✓ |
| **Workloads** |  |  |
| GPU scheduling | - | - |
| Stateful workloads | - | ✓ |
| **Networking** |  |  |
| Built-in networking / CNI | ✓ | - |
| **Ops** |  |  |
| Vendor-managed control plane | - | ✓ |
| **Ecosystem** |  |  |
| CNCF maturity | - | - |
| **UX** |  |  |
| GUI dashboard | ✓ | ✓ |

*Source: vioscaleAI. Generated 2026-10-16T20:12:43.615Z. "-" = undocumented, not absent.*