Self-hosted PaaS platforms let you run your own Heroku-like deployment infrastructure on servers you control. You bring a VPS or bare metal, install the platform, and get a web UI, Git integration, SSL automation, and often database provisioning – without the vendor lock-in or per-app markup of managed PaaS.
This page compares the four major open-source options currently listed on srvrlss. Two are young and active (Coolify, Dokploy), one is the battle-tested veteran (Dokku), and one is a commercial BYOS service with an open-source component (Appliku).
Platforms Covered
Architecture Comparison
The biggest difference between these platforms is what they run on and how they scale.
| Platform | Runtime | Multi-Server | Orchestration | Database Provisioning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Coolify | Docker | Yes (via Docker Swarm) | Docker Swarm | PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, MongoDB, Redis |
 Dokploy | Docker / Compose | Yes (remote servers) | Docker Compose | PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, MariaDB, Redis |
 Dokku | Docker (via Buildpacks or Dockerfile) | Yes (via plugins) | None (single-server by design) | Via plugins (PostgreSQL, MySQL, Redis, etc.) |
 Appliku | Docker + Nginx (managed) | Yes (Docker Swarm) | Docker Swarm | External (no built-in provisioning) |
Key takeaway: Dokku is intentionally single-server. It handles one machine well and scales horizontally by adding another Dokku host. Coolify and Appliku use Docker Swarm for multi-server setups. Dokploy uses a remote-server model where the control UI is hosted or self-hosted and agents run on target servers.
Install Complexity
| Platform | Install Method | Time to First Deploy | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coolify | One-liner curl script | ~5 minutes | Dashboard updates handled; Cloud version manages the instance itself |
| Dokploy | Docker Compose + one-liner | ~5 minutes | Self-hosted updates via dashboard |
| Dokku | `apt` install + bootstrap script | ~10-15 minutes | Manual updates via `apt`; plugin management via `dokku plugin` |
| Appliku | Cloud-managed (agent script on your server) | ~10 minutes | Dashboard handles the control plane; you manage server OS |
Dokku requires the most manual work. You install it via apt, run a bootstrap script, then configure plugins individually. Coolify and Dokploy are almost equally simple – one command and a few minutes. Appliku is managed: you register on their SaaS and run their agent on your server.
Language and Framework Support
| Platform | Build Mechanism | Languages |
|---|---|---|
| Dokku | Heroku Buildpacks + Dockerfile | Ruby, Python, Node.js, Go, Java, PHP, Elixir, Scala, Clojure |
| Coolify | Nixpacks + Dockerfile + Buildpacks | Any (auto-detects via Nixpacks) |
| Dokploy | Dockerfile + Docker Compose | Any (Docker-native) |
| Appliku | Nginx reverse proxy + Docker (managed) | Python, Node.js, PHP, Ruby, Go (auto-detected) |
Dokku is strongest here because it reuses the Heroku Buildpacks ecosystem. If an app has a Procfile or a buildpack, it probably already works on Dokku. Coolify uses Nixpacks which is newer but covers most common stacks. Dokploy and Appliku rely on Dockerfiles, which means more control but also more upfront work.
SSL and Domains
All four platforms support automatic SSL via Let’s Encrypt.
This is a table-stakes feature for all four. Nothing distinguishes them here.
Monitoring and Observability
Dokku is notably bare here. You get basic logs but need external tooling for anything beyond that.
Pricing
All four are free to self-host. Paid options exist for managed control planes.
| Platform | Self-Hosted Cost | Managed / Cloud Cost | Pricing Model |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coolify | $0 (open source) | $5/mo (up to 2 servers) + $3/mo per extra server | Subscription (Cloud) |
| Dokploy | $0 (open source) | $4.50/mo per server (discounts at scale) | Per-server (Managed) |
| Dokku | $0 (MIT license) | N/A | Free only |
| Appliku | Free tier (limited) / $15/mo+ | SaaS is the primary model | Tiered subscription |
Dokku is the only platform with no paid tier – you install it and that is it. Coolify and Dokploy offer managed dashboard options for convenience. Appliku is primarily a SaaS product with the agent running on your server.
Community and Ecosystem
Dokku has the largest plugin ecosystem, which compensates for its minimal built-in feature set. Coolify has the most GitHub traction and active Discord. Dokploy is the youngest but growing fast. Appliku is the least active in the open-source community.
Head-to-Head: Coolify vs Dokploy
These two are the most direct competitors and also the newest. Both target the same user: someone who wants a modern UI, one-command install, and no lock-in.
Coolify wins when:
- You want the largest community and most active development
- Nixpacks auto-detection works for your stack
- Docker Swarm is sufficient for your scaling needs
- You might want the managed Cloud option
Dokploy wins when:
- You prefer Docker Compose over Swarm (Compose is more universal)
- You manage multiple isolated servers through one dashboard
- You want a cleaner, more modern UI (subjective)
- Per-server pricing suits your scale better
Both are excellent choices. If you can not decide, try both – they each take about 5 minutes to install on separate VPS instances.
When to Pick Dokku
Dokku is the right choice if you have a single server and want the most battle-tested option. It has been around since 2013 and the Heroku Buildpacks compatibility means most apps deploy without a Dockerfile. The plugin ecosystem means you can add Redis, PostgreSQL, monitoring, and more without leaving the CLI.
Downsides: no multi-server orchestration, minimal monitoring, manual plugin management, and less friendly for non-Dockerfile workflows.
When to Avoid Self-Hosted Altogether
If you do not want to manage a server at all, skip these and go with a managed PaaS like Railway, Render, or Fly.io. The tradeoff is cost and lock-in versus control. Self-hosted PaaS saves money at scale but costs time in setup and maintenance.
Quick Decision Matrix
| You want… | Pick |
|---|---|
| Newest, most active, easiest to start | Coolify or Dokploy (try both) |
| Battle-tested, single-server, no paid tier | Dokku |
| Managed SaaS with your own servers | Appliku |
| Database provisioning built-in | Coolify or Dokploy |
| Heroku Buildpack compatibility | Dokku |
| Docker Compose over Swarm | Dokploy |
| Largest plugin ecosystem | Dokku |
| Cheapest at scale | Dokku ($0 always) |
| Fastest to try | Coolify or Dokploy (one-liner install) |