Portainer vs Cleavr: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Portainer 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:
Portainer
Container management made easy
Best for you if:
- • You want to try before committing
- • Portainer is a container management platform with a visual interface
- • It simplifies Docker and Kubernetes management for DevOps teams
Cleavr
Server management for modern apps
Best for you if:
- • 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 |  Portainer |  Cleavr |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Paid |
Best For | Hosting & Deployment | Hosting & Deployment |
Rating | 84/100 | 84/100 |
| Feature | Portainer | Cleavr |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| Editorial Score | 84 | 84 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Hosting & DeploymentInternal Tools | Hosting & DeploymentCI/CD |
How Portainer and Cleavr Compare
Portainer
Container management made easy
Free tier available · 84/100 score
Cleavr
Server management for modern apps
Paid · 84/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Portainer has a free tier. Cleavr is paid only.
Go with: Portainer
Want the highest-rated option?
Portainer: 84/100. Cleavr: 84/100.
Go with: Portainer
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Portainer
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Portainer is freemium. Cleavr is paid. Portainer lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Both are hosting & deployment tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Both score 84/100.
Key Takeaways
Portainer
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Cleavr
The Bottom Line
Portainer (84/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Portainer or Cleavr better?
Portainer scores 84/100 in our evaluation. Portainer is freemium and Cleavr is paid.
What are Portainer and Cleavr used for?
Portainer: Container management made easy. Cleavr: Server management for modern apps.
What does Portainer cost vs Cleavr?
Portainer is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Cleavr is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.