# Docker vs Kubernetes

**Leader by vioscaleAI score:** Docker

| Attribute | Docker | Kubernetes |
|---|---|---|
| **vioscaleAI score** | 68.8 (65% (medium)) | 63.3 (30% (low)) |
| activity.commits_last_30d | 100 | 100 |
| adoption.dependent_repos | 1,657 | - |
| adoption.github_stars | 72,082 | 126,872 |
| 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 platform for orchestrating containerized applications across clusters of computers, automatically handling deployment, scaling, and updates based on decades of production experience at Google and community best practices. It is indexed under Container Orchestration Tools.","source":"https://kubernetes.io","question":"What is Kubernetes?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"Kubernetes is open source, so it can be self-hosted and used at no licence cost. It is released under the Apache-2.0 licence. Pricing changes often, so verify at source before relying on it.","source":"https://kubernetes.io","question":"Is Kubernetes free to use?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"Kubernetes supports a command-line interface. Platforms we have not confirmed are simply not listed here rather than ruled out.","source":"https://kubernetes.io","question":"What platforms does Kubernetes support?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"Yes. Kubernetes 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://kubernetes.io","question":"Can Kubernetes be self-hosted?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"Yes. Kubernetes 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/kubernetes/kubernetes","question":"Is Kubernetes open source?","confidence":0.95}]` |
| deployment.options | `{"self_hosted":true}` | `{"cloud":true,"hybrid":true,"on_prem":true,"self_hosted":true}` |
| description.long | 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. | A platform for orchestrating containerized applications across clusters of computers, automatically handling deployment, scaling, and updates based on decades of production experience at Google and community best practices. |
| features.capabilities | `{"hosting":"both","rootless":true,"gui_dashboard":true,"orchestration":"swarm","windows_containers":true,"built_in_networking_cni":true}` | `{"hosting":"both","orchestration":"kubernetes","k8s_conformant":true,"stateful_workloads":true,"windows_containers":true,"built_in_networking_cni":true}` |
| 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,"linux":true,"windows":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","sourceUrl":"https://kubernetes.io","retrievedAt":"2026-09-07T13:11:24.491Z"}` |
| pricing.free_tier | yes | yes |
| pricing.model | commercial | open_source |
| pricing.price_level | low | free |
| pricing.transparent | yes | yes |
| release.cadence_days | 5 | 1 |
| release.history | `[{"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"},{"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/kubernetes/kubernetes/releases/tag/v1.37.0","date":"2026-08-26T16:29:12Z","type":"stable","version":"v1.37.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/releases/tag/v1.36.4","date":"2026-08-20T11:48:16Z","type":"stable","version":"v1.36.4"},{"url":"https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/releases/tag/v1.35.8","date":"2026-08-20T18:59:55Z","type":"stable","version":"v1.35.8"},{"url":"https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/releases/tag/v1.34.11","date":"2026-08-20T18:45:38Z","type":"stable","version":"v1.34.11"},{"url":"https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/releases/tag/v1.37.0-rc.1","date":"2026-08-20T02:44:01Z","type":"prerelease","version":"v1.37.0-rc.1"},{"url":"https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/releases/tag/v1.37.0-rc.0","date":"2026-08-06T12:04:57Z","type":"prerelease","version":"v1.37.0-rc.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/releases/tag/v1.36.3","date":"2026-07-23T00:35:52Z","type":"stable","version":"v1.36.3"},{"url":"https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/releases/tag/v1.35.7","date":"2026-07-22T22:28:35Z","type":"stable","version":"v1.35.7"},{"url":"https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/releases/tag/v1.34.10","date":"2026-07-22T22:01:08Z","type":"stable","version":"v1.34.10"},{"url":"https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/releases/tag/v1.37.0-beta.0","date":"2026-07-20T23:21:18Z","type":"prerelease","version":"v1.37.0-beta.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/releases/tag/v1.37.0-alpha.3","date":"2026-07-08T18:11:06Z","type":"prerelease","version":"v1.37.0-alpha.3"},{"url":"https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/releases/tag/v1.37.0-alpha.2","date":"2026-06-25T02:40:51Z","type":"prerelease","version":"v1.37.0-alpha.2"},{"url":"https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/releases/tag/v1.36.2","date":"2026-06-12T11:34:56Z","type":"stable","version":"v1.36.2"},{"url":"https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/releases/tag/v1.35.6","date":"2026-06-12T11:32:40Z","type":"stable","version":"v1.35.6"},{"url":"https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/releases/tag/v1.34.9","date":"2026-06-12T11:30:42Z","type":"stable","version":"v1.34.9"},{"url":"https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/releases/tag/v1.33.13","date":"2026-06-12T11:30:10Z","type":"stable","version":"v1.33.13"},{"url":"https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/releases/tag/v1.37.0-alpha.1","date":"2026-06-11T03:25:52Z","type":"prerelease","version":"v1.37.0-alpha.1"},{"url":"https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/releases/tag/v1.36.1","date":"2026-05-12T16:39:25Z","type":"stable","version":"v1.36.1"},{"url":"https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/releases/tag/v1.35.5","date":"2026-05-12T15:37:25Z","type":"stable","version":"v1.35.5"},{"url":"https://github.com/kubernetes/kubernetes/releases/tag/v1.34.8","date":"2026-05-12T15:35:14Z","type":"stable","version":"v1.34.8"}]` |
| reliability.status_page | yes | - |
| security.disclosure_policy | yes | yes |
| security.gdpr | yes | - |
| security.iso27001 | yes | - |
| security.scorecard | 9.1 | 7.2 |
| security.soc2 | yes | - |
| security.trust_center | https://www.docker.com/blog/eu-ai-act-compliance/ | https://kubernetes.io/docs/concepts/security/cloud-native-security/ |
| 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 | Kubernetes |
|---|:--:|:--:|
| **Core** |  |  |
| Orchestration scope | Swarm / Compose | Kubernetes |
| **Deployment** |  |  |
| Hosting | Cloud + self-hosted | 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 | - | - |
| **UX** |  |  |
| GUI dashboard | ✓ | - |

*Source: vioscaleAI. Generated 2026-09-21T02:34:27.797Z. "-" = undocumented, not absent.*