Dokku is a free, open source platform-as-a-service that lets you deploy apps to your own Linux server with git push, using Heroku buildpacks or a Dockerfile. It is MIT-licensed; the optional Dokku Pro add-on, with a web dashboard and API, costs $849 one time.
The bottom line
Free Heroku-style deploys on your own server, if you can run the server.
6.8
Our score
6.8 / 10
Conversion Gems editorial verdict
Free (MIT); Pro $849 one-time
Features7/10
7 - git push deploys, buildpacks, Dockerfiles, plugins and K3s or Nomad schedulers.
Value9/10
9 - free under MIT; the optional Pro add-on is a one-time $849.
Ease of use4/10
4 - needs a Linux server, SSH and command-line setup; no web UI without Pro.
Ecosystem7/10
7 - Heroku buildpacks, Docker, plugins in any language, 1-Click images on DigitalOcean, Azure and DreamHost.
Support6/10
6 - documentation and GitHub discussions; email support from maintainers only with Pro.
What it really is
Open source software that turns one Linux server into a small Heroku-style platform with git push deploys.
Our take
Dokku is a great fit if you are comfortable with Linux and want to stop paying per-app platform fees. A small VPS can host several side projects, and buildpack support makes moving Heroku apps simple. You take on server patching, backups and uptime yourself, and you will want Pro if non-technical teammates need a dashboard.
Why we rate it
Free, MIT-licensed git push deploys with buildpacks, Dockerfiles and plugins.
The catch
You maintain the server, and the web dashboard costs $849 via Pro.
Best for
Developers moving small apps off Heroku
Side projects on a single VPS
Teams comfortable with SSH and Linux
Not good for
Teams wanting a fully managed platform
Users who need a free web dashboard
Friction report
Time to value
Run the bootstrap script on a fresh Ubuntu or Debian server, then git push your first app.
Scale breakpoint
Beyond one server you need the K3s or Nomad scheduler setup.
Walled garden
Low: open source, standard Docker images and buildpacks.
Web admin UI, JSON API, HTTP(S) app push, live logs, team management, email support
1 production + 2 pre-production servers; needs open source Dokku installed
From Dokku's site, GitHub repository and pro.dokku.com, checked 4 October 2026.
Dokku system requirements
Item
Requirement
Operating system
Ubuntu 22.04, 24.04 or 26.04, or Debian 11+ (x64)
Architecture
amd64 or arm64
Memory
1GB for the Docker scheduler; 2GB per node for K3s
Current version
v0.38.31
From Dokku's installation docs, checked 4 October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Dokku is open source under the MIT license and free; you only pay for the server it runs on. Dokku Pro, an optional add-on with a web dashboard and API, costs $849 one time for life (checked 4 October 2026).
Dokku is a self-hosted platform-as-a-service powered by Docker. You install it on a Linux server, then deploy apps with git push, and it builds them with Heroku-compatible buildpacks or a Dockerfile.
Dokku describes itself as an open source PaaS alternative to Heroku and supports Heroku buildpacks. The difference is that you manage the server yourself instead of using a hosted platform.
Ubuntu 22.04, 24.04 or 26.04, or Debian 11+, on amd64 or arm64. The Docker scheduler needs 1GB of memory (swap can help on smaller machines); the K3s scheduler needs 2GB per node.
A web admin UI, JSON API, HTTP(S) app push, datastore and environment variable management, process scaling, live logs, team management and email support from the maintainers. It covers 1 production and 2 pre-production servers.
Dokku alternatives
Other ways to host and deploy apps from our reviews:
Cleavr: Hosted control panel that provisions servers and deploys apps on several cloud providers.
DigitalOcean: Developer cloud with virtual servers and managed app hosting; also offers Dokku as a 1-Click install.
Hetzner: German host with low-cost cloud and dedicated servers, a common home for self-hosted tools.
