Coolify vs Dokploy vs ServerCompass
Three approaches to self-hosted deployment. One runs on your server, one runs on your server, and one runs on your desktop. Here's how they compare.
At a Glance
Coolify
Full-featured open-source PaaS. Heroku alternative that runs on your server.
Dokploy
Lightweight deployment platform. Simple, fast, and focused on Docker deployments.
ServerCompass
Desktop-native deployment. Zero server footprint. Vercel-like experience from your Mac.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Coolify | Dokploy | ServerCompass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deployment Method | Web UI on server | Web UI on server | Desktop App |
| Server Footprint | |||
| Resource Usage on VPS | ~500MB RAM | ~200MB RAM | 0 MB (runs locally) |
| Git Integration | |||
| Docker Support | |||
| Database Management | Via Docker | ||
| Auto SSL | |||
| Multi-Server Support | Limited | ||
| Preview Deployments | Manual | ||
| Monitoring/Dashboard | Basic | ||
| Works Offline | |||
| Pricing | Free (self-hosted) | Free (self-hosted) | $19 one-time |
Detailed Breakdown
Coolify
The kitchen sink approach
Pros
- Incredibly feature-rich (databases, backups, monitoring)
- Active community and frequent updates
- Supports many languages and frameworks
- Multi-server orchestration
- Free and open source
Cons
- Heavy resource usage (~500MB RAM just for Coolify)
- Complex setup and configuration
- Can be overwhelming for simple use cases
- Requires ongoing maintenance
Best for: Teams managing multiple projects who want a Heroku-like experience and don't mind the resource overhead.
Dokploy
The lightweight contender
Pros
- Lightweight (~200MB RAM usage)
- Clean, modern UI
- Docker-first approach
- Fast deployments
- Free and open source
Cons
- Still consumes server resources
- Fewer features than Coolify
- Limited multi-server support
- Newer project, smaller community
Best for: Docker-centric workflows where you want a simple web UI but don't need all of Coolify's features.
ServerCompass
The desktop-native revolution
Pros
- Zero server footprint—runs on your Mac
- Desktop-native—no browser needed
- Vercel-like deployment experience
- Works with any VPS instantly
- One-time $19, no subscription
- Native macOS experience
Trade-offs
- Mac only (for now)
- No built-in monitoring dashboard
- Preview deployments are manual
- Smaller feature set (by design)
Best for: Developers who want Vercel's deployment experience without the server overhead or monthly costs. Perfect for side projects and small teams.
Why Zero Server Footprint Matters
Here's what most comparisons miss: Coolify and Dokploy consume resources on your VPS.That $5 Hetzner server? Coolify takes 500MB of your 8GB RAM just to run. Dokploy takes 200MB. ServerCompass takes nothing—it runs on your Mac.
~500MB
Coolify RAM usage
~200MB
Dokploy RAM usage
0 MB
ServerCompass (runs locally)
On a small VPS, that's 6-12% of your RAM gone before you deploy a single app. ServerCompass keeps your server lean—only your apps run there.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Coolify if you want..."Heroku on your own server"
- ✓ A full web-based PaaS with every feature imaginable
- ✓ Built-in databases, backups, and monitoring
- ✓ Multi-server orchestration for complex setups
- ✓ Don't mind dedicating ~500MB RAM to the platform
Choose Dokploy if you want..."A lighter Docker UI"
- ✓ Docker-centric deployment workflow
- ✓ Lower resource usage than Coolify
- ✓ Simple, clean web interface
- ✓ Don't need the full Coolify feature set
Choose ServerCompass if you want..."Vercel without the server overhead"
- ✓ Desktop app experience (no browser tab)
- ✓ Zero resource usage on your VPS
- ✓ One-time purchase, no subscription
- ✓ Deploy in seconds without server setup
- ✓ Native macOS experience
Ready to Deploy Without the Overhead?
ServerCompass gives you the deployment experience you love, without consuming a single MB on your server. One-time $19. Deploy to any VPS in seconds.
Get ServerCompass