Docker vs Kubernetes
Docker: Containers for building and running applications. Kubernetes: Container orchestrator.
Pricing, free tier, and features on this page come from each tool's own site. Google autocomplete (suggestqueries.google.com, client=firefox, hl=en) for "<tool> vs", fetched 2026-10-14; a pair is kept when the suggestion appears from both sides (2+ hits). Sorted by how much you can use for free (free or open source first, then free plan with paid tiers, then paid only), then by the number of documented features, then alphabetically. No ratings or reviews are used. Read the comparison methodology. How benchmark evidence is labeled.
| Docker | Kubernetes | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Containers for building and running applications. | Container orchestrator. |
| Category | Dev Tools | Dev Tools |
| Pricing | Freemium (free plan + paid tiers) | Free and open source |
| Free tier | Yes | Yes |
| Starting price | Paid plans from $11/user/month | — |
| Who it's for | Individual developers, teams, and enterprises that build and run containers and coding agents. | People who deploy and run containerized applications, from local tests to global enterprises. |
| Key features | Package apps as containers, then share and run them | Rolls out changes gradually and rolls back when health checks fail |
| Run each coding agent in an isolated microVM | Assigns pod IPs and one DNS name, and load-balances across them | |
| Find and publish container images on Docker Hub | Mounts local, cloud, or network storage such as iSCSI and NFS | |
| View supply-chain health scores in Docker Scout | Updates secrets and app config without rebuilding the image | |
| Set sandbox and MCP policy with identity-bound audit logs | Restarts crashed containers, replaces pods, and reattaches storage | |
| Website | www.docker.com | kubernetes.io |
Who should pick which
Pick Docker if…
- Its stated audience fits you (individual developers, teams, and enterprises that build and run containers and coding agents).
- You need: Package apps as containers, then share and run them.
Pick Kubernetes if…
- Its stated audience fits you (people who deploy and run containerized applications, from local tests to global enterprises).
- You want open-source software you can run yourself.
- You need: Rolls out changes gradually and rolls back when health checks fail.
FAQ
Is Docker or Kubernetes free?
Docker: Freemium (free plan + paid tiers). Kubernetes: Free and open source. Both can be used without paying.
What is the difference between Docker and Kubernetes?
Docker: Containers for building and running applications. Kubernetes: Container orchestrator.
Data comes from each tool's homepage and pricing page. Pair chosen from search suggestions (docker vs kubernetes; kubernetes vs docker).