Side by side
ActiveState Platform vs DDEV
Both stand on development environment managers. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
ActiveState Platform organizes custom runtime projects and provides build, deployment, and inventory capabilities. Organizations should note that project features vary by subscription tier and published catalog prices are separate from legacy subscription pricing.
Visit ActiveState Platform
DDEV provides configurable local environments across the three listed desktop platforms, with presets and integrations for common web projects. It is for local development rather than deployment, and its documentation cautions against relying on it for public hosting.
Visit DDEVThe facts
| ActiveState Platform | DDEV | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | API, Linux, Mac, Web, Windows | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 2 | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | docs.activestate.com | ddev.com |
| On development environment managers | #3 of 50 | #7 of 50 |
ActiveState Platform: what it does well
- Projects can be personal, organization-shared, or public.
- State Tool supports Windows, Linux, and macOS.
- Immutable SBOMs are available in SPDX formats.
- Builds use checksum verification and isolated containers.
What to know first
- The free plan permits public projects only.
- Paid subscription pricing is available by contacting sales.
- Docker deployment with the State Tool is limited to Linux containers.
DDEV: what it does well
- Free and open source under Apache 2.0.
- Supports macOS, Windows, and Linux.
- Presets cover several web frameworks and CMSs.
- Router handles custom domains and HTTPS.
- Projects can use add-ons and custom Dockerfiles.
What to know first
- Does not provide code deployment capabilities.
- Public hosting is described as experimental.
- No security team backs the public-hosting approach.
Alternatives to ActiveState Platform Alternatives to DDEV The whole list