Portainer vs Coolify: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Portainer and Coolify 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:
- • Portainer is a container management platform with a visual interface
- • It simplifies Docker and Kubernetes management for DevOps teams
Coolify
Self-hostable Heroku and Netlify alternative
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.5/10 vs 8.4/10)
- • You need something completely free
- • Coolify is an open-source self-hosted alternative to Heroku and Netlify
- • It deploys applications, databases, and services with Git push on your own infrastructure
| At a Glance |  Portainer |  Coolify |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free |
Best For | Hosting & Deployment | Hosting & Deployment |
Rating | 84/100 | 85/100 |
| Feature | Portainer | Coolify |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free |
| Editorial Score | 84 | 85 |
| 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 Coolify Compare
Portainer
Container management made easy
Free tier available · 84/100 score
Coolify
Self-hostable Heroku and Netlify alternative
Free · 85/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Coolify is free. Portainer is freemium.
Go with: Coolify
Want the highest-rated option?
Portainer: 84/100. Coolify: 85/100.
Go with: Coolify
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Coolify
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Portainer is freemium. Coolify is free. Go with Coolify if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Both are hosting & deployment tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Coolify scores higher: 85/100 vs 84/100.
Key Takeaways
Coolify
- Higher score: 85/100 vs 84
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Portainer
The Bottom Line
Coolify (85/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Portainer or Coolify better?
Coolify scores 85/100 in our evaluation. Portainer is freemium and Coolify is free.
What are Portainer and Coolify used for?
Portainer: Container management made easy. Coolify: Self-hostable Heroku and Netlify alternative.
What does Portainer cost vs Coolify?
Portainer is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Coolify is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.