Dokku

What Dokku is

Dokku is an open-source Platform as a Service for building and running applications on a server you choose. Push code with Git and it can build and deploy an application using Heroku buildpacks, Dockerfiles or Docker images. It can run on a single server, in Docker containers or on a K3s cluster, and provides deployment rollback and an audit log. Dokku routes web processes and manages background processes and automated cron tasks. Its plugin-based design supports extensions that users create themselves, alongside official plugins for PostgreSQL, MySQL, Redis, MongoDB, Elasticsearch and Let's Encrypt. For application security, Dokku supports per-app SSL/TLS certificate management and enables HSTS by default for HTTPS responses; it recommends SSH key-based authorization for server pushes. The open-source version is self-hosted. Listed operating systems are Ubuntu 22.04, 24.04 or 26.04 and Debian 11 or later on x64, with AMD64 or ARM64 architectures. Minimum memory is 1 GB with the Docker scheduler or 2 GB per node with the K3s scheduler. Dokku Pro is a $849, paid once add-on for an existing Dokku installation. It adds a web interface, JSON API, HTTP(S) app push, datastore and environment-variable management, process scaling, log tailing, team management and maintainer email support.

Who it suits

Dokku suits developers and teams that want to host application deployments on hardware they choose, using Git-based builds and a plugin system. Dokku Pro is relevant to existing Dokku users who want a web interface, management tools and team support.

Limits

Dokku lists minimum memory of 1 GB for the Docker scheduler or 2 GB per node for the K3s scheduler. Dokku Pro is an add-on for an existing installation and requires a Debian-based AMD64 or ARM64 system.

Getting started

1. Choose a server or hardware for self-hosting.
2. Use a supported system: Ubuntu 22.04, 24.04 or 26.04, or Debian 11 or later on x64.
3. Meet the documented memory minimum for the Docker or K3s scheduler.
4. Install Dokku and use SSH key-based authorization for server pushes.
5. Deploy an application with Git using a Heroku buildpack, Dockerfile or Docker image.
6. Add Dokku Pro to an existing installation if you want its web UI and management features.

Verdict

Choose Dokku if you want an open-source, self-hosted deployment platform built around Git pushes and extensible plugins. Look elsewhere if you need a managed hosting service, or choose carefully if you want Dokku Pro but do not have a supported existing installation.