Why it’s best: Inexpensive pricing plans, international data centers, and holds the title of Microsoft No. 1 Recommended for Windows and ASP.NET hosting
How Did We Choose the Best Docker Hosting Platforms?
We’ve gone through the hundreds of top web hosting companies and found the ones that offer powerful VPS (virtual private servers) and dedicated hosting with Docker either preinstalled or easily installed. We then judge the solutions with our own rigorous test processes, led by thousands of public-facing customer reviews.
What is a Docker Hosting Platform?
Docker is a tool used to create “containers” — aka “containerization” — which allow developers to package and send all the pieces needed to make an application run smoothly. Simply put, containerization is something like a middle ground between the mess of natural computing environments and rigidly segmented virtual machines.
In a containerized system, a software container has a copy of the primary application, as well all dependencies — libraries, languages, frameworks, and everything else. The containerization system then provides APIs to the operating system so that the interface between the container and the OS on one machine is the same as the interface between them on another machine.
This means that an app that runs in a container on a local development machine can be deployed easily onto another server — without the worry that the settings on the computer used to deploy the application is creating conflicts.
Docker, arguably the largest container open-source project, is leading the charge toward a more efficient online world. Supporting everything from version control systems to Minecraft servers, containerization has long been shaking up the app-development world. It’s now considered a “gold standard” tool in hundreds of thousands of developers’ toolkits.
How to Choose a Docker Hosting Platform
While Docker is easy to use, it’s also powerful, which means that not all web hosting platforms are up to the challenge of running the software. Generally speaking, Docker requires a VPS or dedicated server to reach its full potential, but which hosting platform is best for Docker?
The main selling point of Docker is its open structure, allowing you to manage your infrastructure in a similar fashion to your applications — keeping you agile, sleek, and separate wherever possible. Here are a few more things to consider in your hunt for a high-quality Docker hosting platform:
Updates: You’ll want a tool that’s current, allowing you access to the top cutting-edge management tools at all times.
Cost: As with any hosting and management tool, cost is usually a factor. Ensure that what you’re paying is sustainable in the long term, as migration can be even more costly.
Compatibility: Although Docker is considered open source, your application management or host service may not be. Some are platform- or brand-specific, so consider asking about that before signing any contracts.
Integration opportunities: As with anything else in the tech world, integration generally leads to faster workflows and robust automation. Check to see if you have any room to integrate with GitHub or other top tech resources.
Inclusivity: Evaluate your total value for the cost. Although you may be used to a specific platform, alternative options may give you more for what you’re currently paying.
You can get the best overall analysis of your tool’s predicted quality and value by reading Docker hosting reviews, and taking advantage of any available free trials.
Kamatera has also invested in the equipment needed for high-quality performance, such as Intel Xeon Platinum processors and solid-state drive (SSD) storage, resulting in a network with speeds of 40 gigabits per second per server.
Docker hosting prices start with $4 per month for one CPU core, 1 GB RAM, 20 GB SSD storage, and 5 GB of traffic. For more power, the specs go up to eight CPU cores, 16 GB RAM, and 100 GB SSD storage for $96 per month.
Pros and cons of Kamatera Express
Pros
Affordable and flexible price points
Readily available phone support
Cons
Less overall functionality for cost than other options on this list
What customers are saying about Kamatera Express
Customers speak highly of their pricing plans and customer support. One reviewer says, “A2 Hosting is a cost-effective deal for both companies and Small-Medium Businesses,” while another says, “I am very pleased and impressed with the level of support from A2 Hosting — that’s in addition to their excellent documentation.”
Why it’s best: Inclusive and accessible for enterprise brands, third-party Docker app compatibility, managed end-to-end solution
With Amazon ECS, you get the absolute best-in-class development tools for Docker hosting. But one drawback is that there’s no live support. Amazon Elastic Container Service (ECS) is trusted by brands as big as Samsung and General Electric for their most mission-critical applications.
If it’s good enough for them, it should be good enough for your apps, too.
It has robust Docker hosting reviews that corroborate its claims to be one of the most effective and streamlined options you have for this type of hosting, connecting you with the resources you need to scale your business.
ECS provides you with access to the Amazon Fargate serverless compute engine. This eliminates the need to provision and manage servers, so you only pay for the exact resources you use. It also improves security by default through application isolation.
Also, Amazon ECS supports Docker Compose, as well as any third-party-hosted Docker image repository or accessible private Docker registry. Additional features include Elastic Load Balancing for traffic distribution, monitoring through Amazon CloudWatch, and logging through Amazon CloudTrail.
Pros and cons of Amazon ECS
Pros
High-end development tools
Flexible pay-as-you-go pricing
Cons
No true live support; exclusively managed by email ticketing system
What customers are saying about Amazon ECS
Customers speak highly of their pricing plans and customer support. One reviewer says, “A2 Hosting is a cost-effective deal for both companies and Small-Medium Businesses,” while another says, “I am very pleased and impressed with the level of support from A2 Hosting — that’s in addition to their excellent documentation.”
Why it’s best: Per-hour billing, global routing, stateless and stateful container support
Traditional cloud networks have all users connected to one location, which can result in slow speeds for some and is vulnerable to outages with its potential single point of failure.
Appfleet’s global cloud network hosts your code in all of Appfleet’s regions at the same time. This ensures your users have a fast connection no matter where they’re located, and it improves uptime as well.
Appfleet’s prices start at $10 per month for one CPU core, 1 GB RAM, and 20 GB SSD storage. They go up to $640 per month for 16 CPU cores, 64 GB RAM, and 1.2 TB SSD storage. Also, bandwidth is $60 per TB.
These plans all include cluster monitoring, custom health checks, API access, and GitHub integration. You can also purchase the Business add-on for another $500 per month, which includes SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications) payments, single sign-on, and live chat features.
Pros and cons of AppFleet
Pros
Feature-rich compared with competitors
Cons
Higher prices compared with other tools
May need to enhance with add-ons for additional single-area support
What customers are saying about Appfleet
Customers speak highly of their pricing plans and customer support. One reviewer says, “A2 Hosting is a cost-effective deal for both companies and Small-Medium Businesses,” while another says, “I am very pleased and impressed with the level of support from A2 Hosting — that’s in addition to their excellent documentation.”
Why it’s best: Inexpensive pricing plans, international data centers, and holds the title of Microsoft No. 1 Recommended for Windows and ASP.NET hosting
ASPHostPortal’s prices for docker hosting services start at $3.81 per month, which gets you 5 GB SSD storage, 60 GB of bandwidth, 2 SQL server databases, 1 GB SQL server space, 3 MySQL databases, and 1 GB MySQL server space.
The minimum specs of these servers include an Intel Xeon dual-core processor, RAID-10 data protection, and 8 GB RAM. Unless you have particularly demanding development needs, that should be more than enough hardware for maintaining strong performance.
Note: These plans also feature an easy-to-use control panel with one-click Docker installation, so you should have no problem with getting started and managing your account.
Pros and cons of ASPHostPortal
Pros
Competitive low price membership tiers
Cons
No true live support
What customers are saying about ASPHostPortal
Customers speak highly of their pricing plans and customer support. One reviewer says, “A2 Hosting is a cost-effective deal for both companies and Small-Medium Businesses,” while another says, “I am very pleased and impressed with the level of support from A2 Hosting — that’s in addition to their excellent documentation.”
Why it’s best: End-to-end build execution and management, advanced security, and hybrid environment compatibility
If you’re looking into Docker hosting, you should certainly consider using the company that started it all. Originally known as dotCloud, this web host provider introduced the Docker Engine for containerization back in 2013.
You can get all of Docker’s basic tools with its free plan, which includes the Docker Engine, Docker CLI, Docker Compose, automatic updates, unlimited public repositories, one private repository, webhooks, GitHub integration, and Bitbucket integration.
Upgrading to the Pro version of Docker will provide you with unlimited data transfer, unlimited image retention, and email support. And with the Team version, you get features such as role-based access controls and unlimited teams.
Pros and cons of Docker
Pros
Feature-rich Docker hosting plans
Low prices compared with competitors
Frequent updates; starting point for Docker host operations
Cons
No true live support
What customers are saying about Docker
Customers speak highly of their pricing plans and customer support. One reviewer says, “A2 Hosting is a cost-effective deal for both companies and Small-Medium Businesses,” while another says, “I am very pleased and impressed with the level of support from A2 Hosting — that’s in addition to their excellent documentation.”
Frequently Asked Questions About Docker Hosting Platforms
Is Docker free?
Docker currently offers three plans, including a free option designed primarily for individuals. It also offers a Pro plan for individuals with advanced needs, and a Team plan with advanced collaboration and management tools. The free plan comes with nearly all of the features of the paid plans, so it’s sufficient for most individual needs. However, you should review all of Docker's plans to find the one that is best for you.
Can I use Docker to host a website?
Yes. Docker is an exceptionally easy way to host your website. You can also use Docker to manage and develop your own web apps. Docker hosting reviews report that it’s easy to do either, thanks to its open and comprehensive nature.
Is Docker OK to use for web apps?
Many developers recommend avoiding using Docker if your end product is a desktop app. It won't provide you the variation and performance you’ll need to adequately execute your code with its pre-existing graphical capabilities.
Is Docker still relevant in 2023?
Docker is relevant in 2023, especially for container projects and app development. It’s easy to use, and inexpensive compared with development alternatives, helping many break through in the app and hosting space.
If you’re considering investing in a Docker hosting platform, read Docker hosting reviews to guide your decision-making process. Review the experiences of live customers before investing your resources in any type of transition or use. It will give you the confidence that you’re making the best possible decision for your use case.