# Docker vs K3s

**Leader by Vioscale score:** Docker

| Attribute | Docker | K3s |
|---|---|---|
| **Vioscale score** | 71.1 (66% (medium)) | 50.5 (46% (low)) |
| activity.commits_last_30d | 100 | 32 |
| adoption.dependent_repos | 1,657 | 11 |
| adoption.github_stars | 72,001 | 33,826 |
| deployment.options | `{"cloud":true,"self_hosted":true}` | `{"cloud":true,"on_prem":true,"self_hosted":true}` |
| description.long | Docker provides a complete containerization ecosystem combining open-source components and tools (via the Moby project) with commercial products. It allows applications and their dependencies to be bundled into containers for consistent deployment across cloud and on-premise environments, with both managed and self-hosted deployment options. | K3s is a certified Kubernetes implementation that maintains full conformance while streamlining deployment through bundled components, simplified storage options, and a single-binary installation model suitable for resource-constrained environments and edge computing scenarios. |
| features.capabilities | `{"hosting":"both","rootless":true,"gui_dashboard":true,"orchestration":"swarm","windows_containers":true,"built_in_networking_cni":true}` | `{"hosting":"self","rootless":true,"arm_support":true,"cncf_maturity":"sandbox","orchestration":"kubernetes","k8s_conformant":true,"stateful_workloads":true,"managed_control_plane":false,"built_in_networking_cni":true}` |
| integrations.count | - | 9 |
| integrations.list | - | `[{"name":"Traefik"},{"name":"CoreDNS"},{"name":"Helm"},{"name":"etcd"},{"name":"Local Path Provisioner"},{"name":"MariaDB"},{"name":"MySQL"},{"name":"PostgreSQL"},{"name":"SQLite"}]` |
| language.primary | Go | Go |
| license.spdx | Apache-2.0 | Apache-2.0 |
| market.availability | `{"primaryMarkets":["US"],"availabilityScope":"global","availableCountries":[],"notAvailableCountries":[]}` | - |
| platform.support | `{"cli":true,"web":true,"linux":true,"windows":true}` | `{"cli":true,"linux":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","freeTier":true,"sourceUrl":"https://k3s.io","retrievedAt":"2026-08-03T14:26:35.599Z"}` |
| pricing.free_tier | yes | yes |
| pricing.model | commercial | commercial |
| pricing.price_level | low | free |
| pricing.transparent | yes | - |
| release.cadence_days | 3 | - |
| release.history | `[{"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"},{"url":"https://github.com/moby/moby/releases/tag/api/v1.55.0","date":"2026-06-18T19:16:53Z","type":"stable","version":"api/v1.55.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/moby/moby/releases/tag/docker-v29.6.0-rc.1","date":"2026-06-12T18:43:50Z","type":"prerelease","version":"docker-v29.6.0-rc.1"},{"url":"https://github.com/moby/moby/releases/tag/client/v0.5.0-rc.1","date":"2026-06-12T16:53:15Z","type":"prerelease","version":"client/v0.5.0-rc.1"},{"url":"https://github.com/moby/moby/releases/tag/api/v1.55.0-rc.1","date":"2026-06-12T16:29:36Z","type":"prerelease","version":"api/v1.55.0-rc.1"},{"url":"https://github.com/moby/moby/releases/tag/docker-v29.5.3","date":"2026-06-03T18:50:17Z","type":"stable","version":"docker-v29.5.3"},{"url":"https://github.com/moby/moby/releases/tag/docker-v29.5.2","date":"2026-05-20T18:02:30Z","type":"stable","version":"docker-v29.5.2"},{"url":"https://github.com/moby/moby/releases/tag/docker-v29.5.1","date":"2026-05-18T17:10:35Z","type":"stable","version":"docker-v29.5.1"},{"url":"https://github.com/moby/moby/releases/tag/docker-v29.5.0","date":"2026-05-14T21:37:30Z","type":"stable","version":"docker-v29.5.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/moby/moby/releases/tag/v25.0.16","date":"2026-08-13T00:17:23Z","type":"stable","version":"v25.0.16"},{"url":"https://github.com/moby/moby/releases/tag/docker-v29.5.0-rc.1","date":"2026-05-11T20:07:07Z","type":"prerelease","version":"docker-v29.5.0-rc.1"}]` | `[{"url":"https://github.com/k3s-io/k3s/releases/tag/v1.36.4-rc1%2Bk3s1","date":"2026-08-21T17:10:45Z","type":"prerelease","version":"v1.36.4-rc1+k3s1"},{"url":"https://github.com/k3s-io/k3s/releases/tag/v1.35.8-rc1%2Bk3s1","date":"2026-08-21T17:04:45Z","type":"prerelease","version":"v1.35.8-rc1+k3s1"},{"url":"https://github.com/k3s-io/k3s/releases/tag/v1.34.11-rc1%2Bk3s1","date":"2026-08-21T17:05:34Z","type":"prerelease","version":"v1.34.11-rc1+k3s1"},{"url":"https://github.com/k3s-io/k3s/releases/tag/v1.36.3%2Bk3s1","date":"2026-08-04T19:42:34Z","type":"stable","version":"v1.36.3+k3s1"},{"url":"https://github.com/k3s-io/k3s/releases/tag/v1.36.3-rc2%2Bk3s1","date":"2026-07-28T21:33:53Z","type":"prerelease","version":"v1.36.3-rc2+k3s1"},{"url":"https://github.com/k3s-io/k3s/releases/tag/v1.35.7%2Bk3s1","date":"2026-08-04T19:41:33Z","type":"stable","version":"v1.35.7+k3s1"},{"url":"https://github.com/k3s-io/k3s/releases/tag/v1.35.7-rc2%2Bk3s1","date":"2026-07-28T21:33:58Z","type":"prerelease","version":"v1.35.7-rc2+k3s1"},{"url":"https://github.com/k3s-io/k3s/releases/tag/v1.34.10%2Bk3s1","date":"2026-08-04T19:39:27Z","type":"stable","version":"v1.34.10+k3s1"},{"url":"https://github.com/k3s-io/k3s/releases/tag/v1.34.10-rc2%2Bk3s1","date":"2026-07-28T21:33:40Z","type":"prerelease","version":"v1.34.10-rc2+k3s1"},{"url":"https://github.com/k3s-io/k3s/releases/tag/v1.33.13%2Bk3s2","date":"2026-08-04T19:40:10Z","type":"stable","version":"v1.33.13+k3s2"},{"url":"https://github.com/k3s-io/k3s/releases/tag/v1.33.13-rc2%2Bk3s2","date":"2026-07-28T21:34:16Z","type":"prerelease","version":"v1.33.13-rc2+k3s2"},{"url":"https://github.com/k3s-io/k3s/releases/tag/v1.36.3-rc1%2Bk3s1","date":"2026-07-24T12:58:51Z","type":"prerelease","version":"v1.36.3-rc1+k3s1"},{"url":"https://github.com/k3s-io/k3s/releases/tag/v1.35.7-rc1%2Bk3s1","date":"2026-07-24T12:58:44Z","type":"prerelease","version":"v1.35.7-rc1+k3s1"},{"url":"https://github.com/k3s-io/k3s/releases/tag/v1.34.10-rc1%2Bk3s1","date":"2026-07-24T12:57:43Z","type":"prerelease","version":"v1.34.10-rc1+k3s1"},{"url":"https://github.com/k3s-io/k3s/releases/tag/v1.33.13-rc1%2Bk3s2","date":"2026-07-24T12:58:00Z","type":"prerelease","version":"v1.33.13-rc1+k3s2"},{"url":"https://github.com/k3s-io/k3s/releases/tag/v1.36.2%2Bk3s1","date":"2026-06-24T22:57:34Z","type":"stable","version":"v1.36.2+k3s1"},{"url":"https://github.com/k3s-io/k3s/releases/tag/v1.36.2-rc3%2Bk3s1","date":"2026-06-24T18:29:23Z","type":"prerelease","version":"v1.36.2-rc3+k3s1"},{"url":"https://github.com/k3s-io/k3s/releases/tag/v1.35.6%2Bk3s1","date":"2026-06-24T22:57:06Z","type":"stable","version":"v1.35.6+k3s1"},{"url":"https://github.com/k3s-io/k3s/releases/tag/v1.35.6-rc3%2Bk3s1","date":"2026-06-24T18:28:55Z","type":"prerelease","version":"v1.35.6-rc3+k3s1"},{"url":"https://github.com/k3s-io/k3s/releases/tag/v1.34.9%2Bk3s1","date":"2026-06-24T22:57:21Z","type":"stable","version":"v1.34.9+k3s1"}]` |
| reliability.status_page | yes | - |
| security.disclosure_policy | yes | - |
| security.gdpr | yes | - |
| security.iso27001 | yes | - |
| security.scorecard | 9.1 | 8 |
| security.soc2 | yes | - |
| 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"}` | `{"count":3,"source":"https://advisories.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/advisories?ecosystem=go&package_name=github.com%2Fk3s-io%2Fk3s&per_page=100","last_12m":1,"max_severity":"HIGH"}` |

## Capabilities (Container Orchestration Tools)

| Capability | Docker | K3s |
|---|:--:|:--:|
| **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 | - | Sandbox |
| **UX** |  |  |
| GUI dashboard | ✓ | - |

*Source: Vioscale. Generated 2026-09-01T16:39:19.307Z. "-" = undocumented, not absent.*