Dokku

App in the BluixApps catalog

What it is

Dokku is mini Heroku — git-push deploys, buildpacks, automatic SSL via Let's Encrypt, scaling via Docker. Long-running OSS PaaS that pioneered the "simple PaaS on a VPS" pattern. Direct alternative to Coolify with stronger Heroku compatibility.

What it's for

  • Git-push deploys — Heroku-style workflow on your own VPS
  • Multi-app hosting — dozens of apps on one VPS via subdomains
  • Auto SSL — Let's Encrypt cert per app
  • Plugin ecosystem — Postgres, Redis, MySQL, cron, scheduled tasks
  • Heroku migration — same buildpacks, similar CLI

Who it's for

  • Solo developers hosting side projects cheaply
  • Indie teams with multiple apps under one infrastructure
  • Heroku refugees post-pricing changes
  • Cost-conscious agencies delivering client deployments
  • DevOps learners understanding PaaS without K8s complexity

Why teams pick Dokku over alternatives

  • MIT license — fully open
  • Heroku-compatible — buildpacks + Procfile work unchanged
  • Mature — production-deployed for years
  • Lightweight — runs on $5/mo VPS
  • Plugin ecosystem — official + community plugins
  • Active maintenance — backed by Dokku LLC

Integrations

  • Buildpacks — Heroku buildpacks (Node, Python, Ruby, Go, etc.) work directly
  • Plugins — Postgres, MySQL, Redis, MongoDB, Memcached, RabbitMQ, ClickHouse, more
  • Let's Encrypt — auto-cert via plugin
  • CI/CD — GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, custom hooks
  • Container support — Dockerfile + cloud-native buildpacks
  • CLI — manage from local laptop
  • Multi-app — apps:create, apps:list

Notable users & community

  • 29k+ GitHub stars
  • Long-running OSS project (>10 years)
  • Active community
  • Backed by Dokku LLC + community maintainers
  • Standard Heroku-alternative in self-hosted DevOps

Tips & operations

  • HOST-LEVEL install, not Docker — Dokku runs as systemd, manages Docker
  • SSH key auth mandatory — Dokku uses SSH for git remote + commands
  • Ubuntu/Debian only — supported distros
  • Default Buildpacks — handle 80% of apps; Dockerfile fallback for the rest
  • Plugin discipline — only install plugins you need
  • Backup is critical — app data lives on host filesystem

What we ship in BluixApps

  • Official Dokku bootstrap installer (apt-based, NOT Docker container)
  • Configured with public IP as default domain
  • SSH key from /root/.ssh/authorized_keys reused for Dokku
  • Required Ubuntu / Debian distros (RHEL family unsupported)
  • Plugin install commands documented for Postgres/Redis/Let's Encrypt
  • Host-level systemd service — managed via apt updates
  • Backup: standard host backup (Dokku data in /home/dokku/)
Read this app's deep dive on bluix.app ↗

Get this app — pick a BluixApps plan

Same catalog. Scaling tenant isolation, white-label and support tier.

TierTenantsCatalogSupportWhite-labelMonthly
Stacks119 curated stacksStandard$19/moDetailDeploy
Starter10Full catalogStandard+$15–25/mo$49/moDetailDeploy
Pro25Full catalogPriority bugfix+$15–25/mo$149/moDetailDeploy
Growth100Full catalogPriority bugfix+$15–25/mo$349/moDetailDeploy
Scale500Full catalog7-day window+$15–25/mo$799/moDetailDeploy
EnterpriseUnlimitedFull catalogPriority 7-dayBundled$1,499/moDetailDeploy

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