In recent years, developers have increasingly relied on PaaS (Platform as a Service) solutions to simplify application deployment and server management. With changes in pricing models and the shutdown of free tiers on platforms like Heroku, the demand for open source alternatives has grown.
Two popular names have emerged in the self-hosting community: CapRover and Coolify. This article compares both platforms, explains the CLI vs GUI difference, introduces Dokku, and highlights the option of getting Coolify pre-configured from EgyVPS.
CapRover is an open source PaaS that provides a Heroku-like experience with more flexibility.
Supports Docker-based deployments.
Offers a library of One-Click Apps for databases and services.
Provides both a simple web dashboard and a powerful CLI.
Free SSL certificates via Let’s Encrypt.
Easy to set up and use.
Large and active community.
Runs efficiently on single or multiple servers.
The GUI is functional but less modern than Coolify.
Some advanced setups require technical knowledge.
Coolify is a newer open source PaaS that quickly gained traction thanks to its modern UI and advanced features.
Supports automatic deployments from GitHub/GitLab.
Includes built-in services like PostgreSQL and Redis.
Works with both Docker and Docker Compose.
Provides a polished, user-friendly dashboard.
Sleek, modern interface.
Seamless Git integration.
Highly customizable.
Consumes more server resources than CapRover.
The project relies heavily on a single maintainer, raising sustainability concerns
One major difference between CapRover and Coolify lies in how you interact with them:
CapRover: Focuses heavily on the CLI (Command Line Interface), perfect for developers comfortable with terminal commands who want fine-grained control.
Coolify: Prioritizes a modern GUI (Graphical User Interface), making it easier for beginners or teams who prefer a visual dashboard similar to platforms like Render or Netlify.
Not everyone wants to manage servers themselves. This is where EgyVPS comes in, offering pre-configured Coolify hosting:
Ready-to-use Coolify servers.
Managed updates and maintenance.
Ideal for startups that want to focus on building products instead of managing infrastructure.
Feature | CapRover ✅ | Coolify ✅ |
---|---|---|
Ease of Use | ???? Very Easy | Moderate |
Customization | Moderate | ???? Advanced |
Docker Support | ???? Yes | ???? Yes |
Git Deployments | Manual Setup | ???? Automatic |
Built-in Databases | Plugins | ???? Yes |
User Interface (UI) | Basic | ???? Modern |
Community Support | ???? Strong | Smaller |
Resource Usage | Low | Higher |
Dokku is another open source PaaS and one of the simplest Heroku alternatives.
Deploy apps using Git Push.
Runs Docker containers in the background.
Lightweight and resource-friendly.
Great for developers who want simplicity.
Unlike CapRover and Coolify, Dokku doesn’t have a GUI and relies entirely on the command line.
If you want stability and ease of use → choose CapRover.
If you prefer a modern UI, Git integration, and flexibility → go with Coolify (and consider managed hosting from EgyVPS).
If you value simplicity and minimalism → try Dokku.
CapRover = Stability + Simplicity.
Coolify = Flexibility + Modern Experience.
Dokku = Lightweight + Git-driven deployments.
Your choice depends on your project’s needs: do you prefer CLI power, a GUI-driven workflow, or a fully managed hosting option like Coolify from EgyVPS?
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