Dokku vs Cleavr: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Dokku and Cleavr comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Dokku
Docker-powered PaaS
Best for you if:
- • You want to try before committing
- • Dokku is a lightweight PaaS that lets you deploy apps with git push on your own servers
- • It provides Heroku-like deployments using Docker containers on any Linux server
Cleavr
Server management for modern apps
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.4/10 vs 8.0/10)
- • Server management platform with 5-day free trial and affordable per-server pricing
- • Deploy Laravel, Node, Nuxt, Strapi to DigitalOcean, AWS, Hetzner, or your own VPS
| At a Glance |  Dokku |  Cleavr |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Paid |
Best For | Hosting & Deployment | Hosting & Deployment |
Rating | 80/100 | 84/100 |
| Feature | Dokku | Cleavr |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| Editorial Score | 80 | 84 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Hosting & DeploymentCI/CD | Hosting & DeploymentCI/CD |
How Dokku and Cleavr Compare
Dokku
Docker-powered PaaS
Free tier available · 80/100 score
Cleavr
Server management for modern apps
Paid · 84/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Dokku has a free tier. Cleavr is paid only.
Go with: Dokku
Want the highest-rated option?
Dokku: 80/100. Cleavr: 84/100.
Go with: Cleavr
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Cleavr
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Dokku is freemium. Cleavr is paid. Dokku lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Both are hosting & deployment tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Cleavr scores higher: 84/100 vs 80/100.
Key Takeaways
Cleavr
- Higher score: 84/100 vs 80
- Our pick for this comparison
Dokku
- Has a free tier
The Bottom Line
Cleavr (84/100) is our pick. Dokku has a free tier if you want to test without paying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dokku or Cleavr better?
Cleavr scores 84/100 in our evaluation. Dokku is freemium and Cleavr is paid.
What are Dokku and Cleavr used for?
Dokku: Docker-powered PaaS. Cleavr: Server management for modern apps.
What does Dokku cost vs Cleavr?
Dokku is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Cleavr is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.