Docker

docker.com
DevOps
Weekend Project

Accelerated Container Application Development

How to Replace Docker

Overview

Docker is a containerization platform that enables developers to build, test, and ship applications consistently across any environment. It provides hardened container images, security tools, and orchestration capabilities for building and running software reliably from development to production.

Features

55 features across 15 categories

AI(2)

Docker MCP IntegrationAI

Model Context Protocol integration enabling AI agents to securely call and manage MCP servers as containers

MCP Server LibraryAI

Access to 250+ verified MCP servers for tools like Stripe, Notion, GitHub with one-click setup

Also in: monday.com, Notion, Airtable

Admin(8)

Account HierarchyPremium

Organizational account structure management for enterprises

Bulk User ManagementPremium

Add users in bulk to Docker organizations for team scaling

Docker Hub Organizations

Support for creating and managing multiple Docker Hub organizations

Organization Access Tokens

API tokens for programmatic Docker Hub organization access

Role-Based Access ControlPremium

Fine-grained access control for Docker Hub and team resources

SCIM User ProvisioningPremium

System for Cross-domain Identity Management for automated user provisioning and deprovisioning

Settings ManagementPremium

Centralized Docker Desktop settings management for enterprise

Single Sign-On (SSO)Premium

Enterprise authentication integration for organizational access management

Also in: Insider CDP, Jira, Asana

Build Tools(2)

Docker Build

Container image building capabilities included in Docker Desktop

Docker Build CloudPremium

Cloud-based container build service with parallel builds, caching, and customizable resources

Also in: Nuxt, Next.js

Compliance(2)

FIPS/STIG VariantsPremium

FIPS 140-2 and STIG-compliant container image variants for regulated environments

Policy Library and Evaluation

Policy templates and evaluation tools for container image compliance

Also in: Insider CDP, Airtable, 1Password

Container Images(3)

Distroless Images

Ultra-minimal distroless Debian and Alpine images reducing attack surface by up to 97%

Docker Hardened Images (DHI)

Free, secure, minimal container images with near-zero CVEs, complete SBOMs, and SLSA Level 3 provenance

Image Mirroring and CustomizationPremium

Mirror and customize Docker Hardened Images for organizational needs

Development Tools(7)

Containerd Support

Integration with containerd container runtime

Docker CLI

Command-line interface for managing containers and Docker operations

Docker Debug

Debugging tool for troubleshooting containers during development

Docker Desktop

Complete development environment for building and testing containers locally with Docker Engine, Kubernetes, and CLI

Docker Engine

Core containerization runtime included in Docker Desktop

Synchronized File SharesPremium

File sharing capability for seamless development workflows across machines

Volume Exports

Export Docker volumes for backup and transfer

Enterprise(2)

MSI InstallerPremium

Windows MSI installer for enterprise deployment of Docker Desktop

VDI SupportPremium

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure support for Docker Desktop

Extensibility(2)

Docker Desktop Extensions

Extensible platform for Docker Desktop with community and private extensions

Private Extensions MarketplacePremium

Private marketplace for Docker Desktop extensions within organizations

Also in: Labelbox, Obsidian, WordPress.com

Integrations(2)

SDLC Integrations

Integration with software development lifecycle tools and platforms

Webhook Support

Webhook notifications for events in Docker Hub

Orchestration(3)

Docker Compose

Tool for defining and running multi-service applications and orchestrating agentic stacks with a single configuration file

Helm Chart Support

Deploy Helm charts powered by Docker Hardened Images to Kubernetes

Kubernetes Support

Built-in Kubernetes support in Docker Desktop for container orchestration

Registry(2)

Docker Hub

World's largest library of verified, signed container images with 14M+ images and 11B+ monthly downloads

Trusted Content Catalog

Catalog of trusted, verified content on Docker Hub for organizations

Reporting(3)

Domain AuditPremium

Enterprise domain-level audit capabilities for compliance

Usage Insight DashboardPremium

Visibility into Docker Desktop and Scout usage metrics across teams

Vulnerability Reporting

Comprehensive CVE and vulnerability reporting capabilities

Security(14)

Audit LogsPremium

Comprehensive audit logging for compliance and security monitoring

CVE Remediation SLAPremium

Service level agreement for CVE patching and remediation in Docker Hardened Images Enterprise

CVE Suppression and Exception

Manage CVE exceptions and suppress known non-applicable vulnerabilities

Docker Scout

Security scanning and vulnerability analysis tool with health scores and CVE remediation insights

Enhanced Container IsolationPremium

Advanced isolation mechanisms for container runtime security

Hardened Docker DesktopPremium

Enterprise-grade Docker Desktop with organizational policies, malicious payload detection, and runtime exploit prevention

Image Access ManagementPremium

Control and manage access to container images in Docker Hub

Image Remediation

Automated suggestions and remediation for container image vulnerabilities

Local Vulnerability Analysis

Scan images locally for vulnerabilities before pushing to registry

Registry Access ManagementPremium

Manage and control registry access for organizations

SBOM Generation

Complete Software Bill of Materials generation for container images with verifiable provenance

SLSA Level 3 Provenance

Supply chain security with SLSA Level 3 provenance verification for container images

VEX Support

Vulnerability Exploitability Exchange support for transparency in CVE visibility and exceptions

Vulnerability Alerting and Notifications

Real-time alerts and notifications for discovered vulnerabilities in images

Support(2)

Extended Lifecycle Support (ELS)Premium

Multi-year security support and patching for end-of-life software images

Premium Support and TAMPremium

24/7 technical support with priority SLAs and technical advisory manager service

Testing(1)

Testcontainers CloudPremium

Cloud runtime for running tests with containerized dependencies, supporting both CI and desktop environments

Pricing

Personal

Free
  • Docker Desktop
  • Docker Engine + Kubernetes
  • Docker Hub
  • Docker Scout
  • Docker Debug
  • 1 user
  • 1 Docker Scout-enabled repo
  • 100 Docker Hub pulls/hr
  • 1 private Docker Hub repo
  • Docker Build Cloud and Testcontainers Cloud free trial
  • Community forums
  • Community Slack
  • Support for latest Docker Desktop version

Pro

$11/mo or $9/mo annually
  • All Personal features
  • Docker Build Cloud
  • Testcontainers Cloud
  • Synchronized File Shares
  • Visibility into Docker Scout health scores
  • 5 business day support response
  • 1 user
  • 2 Docker Scout-enabled repos
  • Unlimited Docker Hub pull rate
  • 200 Docker Build Cloud build minutes per month
  • 100 Testcontainers Cloud runtime minutes per month
  • Local Vulnerability Analysis
  • Image Remediation
  • Basic Policy Library and Evaluation
  • Basic Alerting and Notifications
  • 50GB cache for Docker Build Cloud
  • 4 max parallel builds
  • 4 max concurrent workers for Testcontainers Cloud
  • Support for Docker Desktop versions up to 6 months old

Team

Popular
$16/mo or $15/mo annually
  • All Pro features
  • Add users in bulk
  • Audit logs
  • Docker Hub role-based access control
  • 2 business day support response
  • Up to 100 users
  • Unlimited Docker Scout-enabled repos
  • Unlimited Docker Hub pull rate
  • Unlimited private Docker Hub repos
  • 500 Docker Build Cloud build minutes per month
  • 500 Testcontainers Cloud runtime minutes per month
  • 10 Organization access tokens
  • 1 Docker Hub organization
  • 100GB cache for Docker Build Cloud
  • Unlimited parallel builds
  • Unlimited concurrent workers for Testcontainers Cloud (CI)
  • 4 max concurrent workers for Testcontainers Cloud (Desktop)
  • Standard Policy Library and Evaluation
  • Standard Alerting and Notifications
  • Unlimited Docker Scout Health Scores on Docker Hub
  • Up to 5 SDLC Integrations

Business

$24/mo
  • All Team 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
  • No user cap
  • Unlimited Docker Scout-enabled repos
  • Unlimited Docker Hub pull rate
  • Unlimited private Docker Hub repos
  • 1,500 Docker Build Cloud build minutes per month
  • 1,500 Testcontainers Cloud runtime minutes per month
  • 100 Organization access tokens
  • Unlimited Docker Hub organizations
  • 200GB cache for Docker Build Cloud
  • Unlimited parallel builds
  • Unlimited concurrent workers
  • Standard Policy Library and Evaluation
  • Standard Alerting and Notifications
  • Unlimited Docker Scout Health Scores
  • Unlimited SDLC Integrations
  • VDI support
  • Private Extensions Marketplace
  • Domain Audit
  • Account Hierarchy
  • Settings Management
  • Enhanced Container Isolation Management
  • MSI Installer
  • SOC 2 Type 2 attestation
  • ISO 27001 certification
  • Third Party Penetration Tests

Docker Hardened Images (DHI)

Free
  • Hardened, minimal, Near-zero CVEs images
  • Verifiable SBOMs & SLSA Level 3 provenance
  • Full, unsuppressed CVE visibility
  • Open source under Apache 2.0
  • 1000+ images and applications
  • FIPS and STIG ready languages, frameworks, databases

Docker Hardened Images Enterprise

Custom
  • All DHI features
  • CVE remediation SLAs
  • FIPS/STIG variants
  • Supports PCI DSS, CMMC, CIS
  • Mirroring and customization
  • DHI ELS (Extended Lifecycle Support)
  • Security and compliance support for end-of-life software
  • Multiple years of hardened updates after upstream support ends
  • Updated SBOMs & provenance
  • Maintain compliance post-EOL
  • Protects long-lived workloads

Cost Calculator

Keep Paying Docker

Monthly$11/mo
Yearly$132/yr
5-Year Total$660

Build It Yourself

Est. Build Time~4 hrs
Hosting$20/mo
DifficultyVery Easy

Total Cost Comparison

1 Year
SaaS
$132
DIY
$240
3 Years
SaaS
$396
DIY
$720
5 Years
SaaS
$660
DIY
$1.2k

DIY hosting estimate based on Vercel + Supabase free/pro tiers (~$20/mo). Build time estimated from 55 features at very easy complexity.

Build vs Buy

Should you build a Docker alternative or buy the subscription? Estimate based on 55 features.

Buy Docker

Better Value
Monthly cost$110/mo
3-year total$3,960
Time to deployDays

Build Your Own

Development cost$36,000
Maintenance$540/mo
3-year total$55,440
Dev time~3 months

Buying Docker saves ~$51,480 over 3 years vs building.

Estimates based on 55 features and a BuildScore of 5/5. Actual costs vary.

Integrations

7 known integrations