# Docker vs Helm

**Leader by Vioscale score:** Helm

| Attribute | Docker | Helm |
|---|---|---|
| **Vioscale score** | 67.7 (38% (low)) | 77.1 (10% (low)) |
| activity.commits_last_30d | 100 | 100 |
| adoption.github_stars | 71,942 | 30,069 |
| deployment.options | `{"cloud":true,"hybrid":true,"self_hosted":true}` | `{"cloud":true,"self_hosted":true}` |
| description.long | Docker is a containerization platform providing tools for building, deploying, and managing containerized applications, with offerings for individual developers and enterprises. | Helm is the best way to find, share, and use software built for Kubernetes. Helm helps you manage Kubernetes applications through Charts that define, install, and upgrade even complex applications. |
| features.capabilities | `{"hosting":"both","gui_dashboard":true,"orchestration":"kubernetes"}` | `{"cncf_maturity":"graduated"}` |
| language.primary | Go | Go |
| license.spdx | Apache-2.0 | Apache-2.0 |
| market.availability | `{"primaryMarkets":["US"],"availabilityScope":"global","availableCountries":[],"notAvailableCountries":[]}` | `{"primaryMarkets":[],"availabilityScope":"global","availableCountries":[],"notAvailableCountries":[]}` |
| platform.support | `{"cli":true,"web":true}` | `{"cli":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":"open_source","summary":"Free and open source","freeTier":true,"sourceUrl":"https://helm.sh","retrievedAt":"2026-08-05T14:09:36.746Z"}` |
| pricing.free_tier | yes | yes |
| pricing.model | commercial | open_source |
| pricing.price_level | low | free |
| pricing.starting_gbp | 9 | - |
| pricing.transparent | yes | yes |
| release.cadence_days | 2 | 2 |
| reliability.status_page | yes | - |
| security.disclosure_policy | yes | yes |
| security.gdpr | yes | - |
| security.iso27001 | yes | - |
| security.soc2 | yes | - |

## Capabilities (Container Orchestration Tools)

| Capability | Docker | Helm |
|---|:--:|:--:|
| **Core** |  |  |
| Orchestration scope | Kubernetes | - |
| **Deployment** |  |  |
| Hosting | Cloud + self-hosted | - |
| **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 | - | Graduated |
| **UX** |  |  |
| GUI dashboard | ✓ | - |

*Source: Vioscale. Generated 2026-08-07T00:00:38.416Z. "-" = undocumented, not absent.*