Portainer vs Dockge: Which Docker Management Tool Should You Use?

Quick Answer

Use Portainer if you want a full-featured Docker management platform with container management, image management, and multi-host support. Use Dockge if you want a simple, focused tool for managing Docker Compose stacks and nothing more. Both are free.

Overview

Portainer

Portainer CE (Community Edition) is the most popular Docker management UI. It provides a comprehensive dashboard for containers, images, volumes, networks, and stacks. It supports Docker, Docker Swarm, and Kubernetes. Feature-rich but can feel heavy for simple use cases.

Dockge

Dockge is a lightweight, stack-focused Docker Compose manager created by the developer of Uptime Kuma. It stores compose files as standard docker-compose.yml files on disk (not in a database), making it transparent and easy to manage. It does less than Portainer but does it more elegantly.

Feature Comparison

Feature	Portainer	Dockge
Compose stack management	Yes	Yes (primary focus)
Individual container management	Yes	No
Image management	Yes	No
Volume management	Yes	No
Network management	Yes	No
Multi-host support	Yes (Edge Agent)	Yes (via agents)
App templates	Yes	No
Compose file storage	Database	Filesystem (standard YAML)
Terminal access to containers	Yes	No
Container logs	Yes	Yes
Resource usage	~200MB RAM	~50MB RAM
Learning curve	Moderate	Minimal

Installation & Setup

Both install via Docker in minutes. Dockge is slightly simpler.

The Verdict

For beginners and full Docker management, use Portainer. Its comprehensive feature set and built-in templates make it the swiss army knife of Docker management.

For experienced users who just want compose stack management, use Dockge. Its filesystem-based approach means your compose files are always accessible as normal YAML files, and the UI is clean and fast.

Many self-hosters use Portainer initially and switch to Dockge as they get more comfortable with Docker Compose directly.