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SPECIFICTION
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Dokku

dokku.com

Free plan WebLinuxAPISelf-hosted
Visit dokku.com
Spec score 8.3 #5 of 27 in Platform As A Service Paas Software

What it is

Dokku is a self-hosted Platform as a Service for building and running applications from Git pushes on a server you choose. It can deploy applications with Heroku buildpacks, Dockerfiles, or Docker images, targeting a single server, Docker containers, or a K3s cluster. Dokku routes web processes, manages background processes and automated cron tasks, and supports deployment rollback and audit logs. Its plugin architecture allows users to add functionality, with official plugins for PostgreSQL, MySQL, Redis, MongoDB, Elasticsearch, and Let’s Encrypt. Per-application SSL/TLS certificate management is supported, and HTTPS responses have HSTS enabled by default. Dokku recommends SSH key authorization for pushes. The free open-source plan costs nothing. Dokku Pro costs $849, paid once and adds a web interface, JSON API, HTTP(S) app push, management tools, scaling, logs, team management, and email support.

Spec sheet

What it does
Dokku is an extensible, open-source Platform as a Service that runs on a single server and builds and runs applications from a Git push.Read 8 Oct 2026 · dokku.com
Integrations
Official plugins include PostgreSQL, MySQL, Redis, MongoDB, Elasticsearch, and Let's Encrypt.Read 8 Oct 2026 · dokku.com
Security
Dokku recommends SSH key-based authorization for pushing to a server.Read 8 Oct 2026 · dokku.com
Support
Dokku Pro includes email support from the maintainers.Read 8 Oct 2026 · pro.dokku.com
Application processes
Dokku routes web processes and manages background processes and automated cron tasks.Read 8 Oct 2026 · dokku.com
Build and deploy
Dokku supports Heroku buildpacks, Dockerfiles, and Docker images for application deployments.Read 8 Oct 2026 · dokku.com
Dokku Pro features
Dokku Pro adds a web interface, JSON API, HTTP(S) app push, datastore management, environment variable management, process scaling, and log tailing.Read 8 Oct 2026 · pro.dokku.com
Dokku Pro prerequisites
Dokku Pro is an add-on for an existing Dokku installation and requires a Debian-based AMD64 or ARM64 system.Read 8 Oct 2026 · pro.dokku.com
Extensible plugins
Dokku is built from plugins, and users can create plugins to add functionality.Read 8 Oct 2026 · dokku.com
Minimum memory
The documented minimum is 1 GB for the Docker scheduler or 2 GB per node for the K3s scheduler.Read 8 Oct 2026 · dokku.com
Self-hosting
Dokku can be installed on hardware of the user's choice and is described as avoiding vendor lock-in.Read 8 Oct 2026 · dokku.com
System requirements
Dokku lists Ubuntu 22.04, 24.04, or 26.04 and Debian 11 or later on x64, with AMD64 or ARM64 architectures supported.Read 8 Oct 2026 · dokku.com
TLS
Dokku supports per-application SSL/TLS certificate management, and HTTPS responses have HSTS enabled by default.Read 8 Oct 2026 · dokku.com

Plans and prices

Dokku open source Free Open source · self-hosted on a server you choose Read 8 Oct 2026 · dokku.com
Dokku Pro $849, paid once $849 for life 1 production server · 2 pre-production servers · Full access to web UI · JSON-API REST API · HTTP(S) Git push · Team management · Email support Read 8 Oct 2026 · pro.dokku.com

Every Dokku plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Supports buildpacks, Dockerfiles, and Docker images
  • Deploys to servers, containers, or K3s
  • Plugin system with database and TLS integrations
  • Rollback and deployment audit log included
  • Free open-source self-hosted plan

Limits

  • Requires self-hosting and server administration
  • Minimum memory starts at 1 GB or 2 GB per node
  • Dokku Pro requires an existing installation
  • Dokku Pro costs $849, paid once

Who it suits

Dokku suits developers and teams wanting self-hosted application deployment on Linux servers, Docker, or K3s. It also fits users who need plugin-based extensions and control over deployment infrastructure.

Verdict

Dokku provides Git-driven deployment with multiple build methods, deployment targets, plugins, and process management. The free plan covers the open-source self-hosted platform, while Dokku Pro adds web and team-oriented controls for a one-time fee.

Where Specifiction places it

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