Git-push deploys
Heroku-style workflow on your own VPS
// official site: dokku.com ↗
DEVOPS · PRO TIER
Dokkupro
Dokku is mini Heroku — git-push deploys, buildpacks, automatic SSL via Let's Encrypt, scaling via Docker. Long-running OSS PaaS that pioneered the "simple PaaS on a VPS" pattern. Direct alternative to Coolify with stronger Heroku compatibility.
// What it is
A closer look.
Dokku is mini Heroku — git-push deploys, buildpacks, automatic SSL via Let's Encrypt, scaling via Docker. Long-running OSS PaaS that pioneered the "simple PaaS on a VPS" pattern. Direct alternative to Coolify with stronger Heroku compatibility.
// Use cases
What it's for.
Concrete scenarios where teams pick Dokku over the SaaS alternative.
Multi-app hosting
dozens of apps on one VPS via subdomains
Auto SSL
Let's Encrypt cert per app
Plugin ecosystem
Postgres, Redis, MySQL, cron, scheduled tasks
Heroku migration
same buildpacks, similar CLI
// Who it's for
Built for these teams.
If your team profile matches one of these, Dokku is a strong fit out of the box.
Solo developers
hosting side projects cheaply
Indie teams
with multiple apps under one infrastructure
Heroku refugees
post-pricing changes
Cost-conscious agencies
delivering client deployments
DevOps learners
understanding PaaS without K8s complexity
// Differentiators
Why teams pick Dokku.
When evaluating self-hosted options for this category, here are the dimensions on which Dokku consistently lands above the alternatives.
- ✓MIT license — fully open
- ✓Heroku-compatible — buildpacks + Procfile work unchanged
- ✓Mature — production-deployed for years
- ✓Lightweight — runs on $5/mo VPS
- ✓Plugin ecosystem — official + community plugins
- ✓Active maintenance — backed by Dokku LLC
// Integrations
Connects to.
The stack you'll plug Dokku into — services, protocols, and adjacent apps in the BluixApps catalog.
◇
Buildpacks
Heroku buildpacks (Node, Python, Ruby, Go, etc.) work directly
◈
Plugins
Postgres, MySQL, Redis, MongoDB, Memcached, RabbitMQ, ClickHouse, more
◆
Let's Encrypt
auto-cert via plugin
▣
CI/CD
GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, custom hooks
▦
Container support
Dockerfile + cloud-native buildpacks
▩
CLI
manage from local laptop
▼
Multi-app
apps:create, apps:list
// Adoption & deployment
Notable users & community
- 29k+ GitHub stars
- Long-running OSS project (>10 years)
- Active community
- Backed by Dokku LLC + community maintainers
- Standard Heroku-alternative in self-hosted DevOps
What we ship
- Official Dokku bootstrap installer (apt-based, NOT Docker container)
- Configured with public IP as default domain
- SSH key from /root/.ssh/authorized_keys reused for Dokku
- Required Ubuntu / Debian distros (RHEL family unsupported)
- Plugin install commands documented for Postgres/Redis/Let's Encrypt
- Host-level systemd service — managed via apt updates
- Backup: standard host backup (Dokku data in /home/dokku/)
// Tips & operations
Run it properly.
Operational guidance from running this in production — what to lock down, what surprises people.
// PERFORMANCE
HOST-LEVEL install, not Docker
Dokku runs as systemd, manages Docker
// SECURITY
SSH key auth mandatory
Dokku uses SSH for git remote + commands
// OPERATIONS
Ubuntu/Debian only
supported distros
// RELIABILITY
Default Buildpacks
handle 80% of apps; Dockerfile fallback for the rest
// DEPLOYMENT
Plugin discipline
only install plugins you need
// SCALING
Backup is critical
app data lives on host filesystem
1024
// min ram (MB)
16
// min disk (GB)
22
// access port
ssh
// protocol
pro
// bluixapps tier
// Alternatives in DevOps
Compare with
Project resources
Official sitedokku.com ↗