What it does
Dokku turns a single server into a small application platform. After installation, a project is created on the host and deployed by pushing a Git branch to its Dokku remote; builds can use buildpacks or a Dockerfile, and Dokku routes web processes and manages application processes. Unlike a hosted app platform, it leaves the machine, storage, and most infrastructure decisions with the operator.
Why the remote is the product
Dokku is a self-hosted PaaS rather than a cloud account. Install it on a fresh supported Ubuntu or Debian machine, set the host's domain, and add an SSH key for the user who will deploy. A project then follows a concise path: create the app on the server, add a Git remote from the local repository, and push the branch you want built. Dokku detects a supported language through a buildpack or follows the Dockerfile you provide, then runs the resulting image as an app.
The deployment guide's Rails example is useful because it shows an important distinction: Dokku does not install a database for every new app. If the app needs PostgreSQL, add the official plugin, create the database service, and link it to the app so the connection setting is supplied. The same plugin model lets an operator add supporting services without treating them as built-in managed databases.
Keep the server in scope
The installation guide lists Ubuntu 22.04, 24.04, or 26.04 and Debian 11 or later on supported x64 or ARM64 architectures. The Docker scheduler needs 1 GB of system memory or swap; the K3s scheduler needs 2 GB per node. You remain responsible for that host, SSH access, disk, backups, and network configuration.
This is a good fit when a team prefers a Git-based deployment workflow and wants to choose its own VM. It is less attractive if the team wants a provider to manage operating-system updates or wants data services provisioned automatically. The community Dokku software is MIT-licensed; Dokku Pro is a separate commercial offering, not part of this listing.
Strengths
- Deploys from a Git remote using buildpacks or a project Dockerfile.
- Manages app processes and web routing on a server chosen by the operator.
- Official datastore plugins can create and link services such as PostgreSQL.
Watch out for
- You install and maintain the Linux host, domain, SSH access, storage, and backups.
- A fresh app does not receive a datastore automatically; a plugin must be installed and configured.
- The documented shallow-clone workflow is unsupported and can behave unpredictably.
Best for
- Developers who want Heroku-style Git pushes on their own VM.
- Small teams comfortable managing Linux and choosing their own database services.
- Projects that want buildpack or Dockerfile deployments on a self-managed VM.
Sources
- Dokku - The smallest PaaS implementation you've ever seen (Oct 26, 2026)
- Getting Started with Dokku - Dokku Documentation (Oct 26, 2026)
- Deploying an Application - Dokku Documentation (Oct 26, 2026)
- Git Deployment - Dokku Documentation (Oct 26, 2026)
- Dokku MIT License (Oct 26, 2026)