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Manage Docker and Docker Swarm directly from your terminal with a powerful TUI.

Terminal ToolsDeveloper ToolsContainer OrchestrationMonitoring
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Tracked since2026
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The Bottom Line

Entry price

Free, no paid tier

Biggest pro

Provides a unified terminal interface for Docker and Docker Swarm management.

Biggest con

Requires comfort with terminal-based interfaces.

TL;DR - Dry

  • Terminal-based Docker and Docker Swarm manager.
  • Provides comprehensive views of containers, images, networks, and Swarm components.
  • Offers most Docker CLI commands and monitoring capabilities in a TUI.
Pricing: Free forever
Best for: Individuals & startups

What is Dry?

Editorial review
Dry is a terminal user interface (TUI) application designed for managing Docker and Docker Swarm environments. It provides a comprehensive overview of Docker components such as Containers, Images, and Networks. When operating in a Swarm cluster, Dry extends its capabilities to display information about Nodes, Services, Stacks, and other Swarm constructs. This tool can connect to both local and remote Docker daemons, offering flexibility in management. Beyond just displaying information, Dry allows users to perform most of the commands available in the official Docker CLI, maintaining similar behavior and keybindings for a familiar experience. It also functions as a monitoring tool for Docker containers, providing real-time insights. Dry is distributed as a single binary, eliminating the need for external libraries, making it easy to install and use for developers and system administrators working with Docker.

Available on: Web

how we evaluateSourcegithub.com ↗

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Provides a unified terminal interface for Docker and Docker Swarm management.
  • Lightweight and easy to install as a single binary.
  • Offers extensive control and monitoring capabilities.
  • Familiar keybindings for users accustomed to Docker CLI.
  • Supports both local and remote Docker environments.

Cons

  • Requires comfort with terminal-based interfaces.
  • Learning curve for new keybindings might be present for some users.
  • Primarily a command-line tool, may not suit users preferring graphical interfaces.

Preview

Key Features

Manage Docker Containers, Images, and NetworksManage Docker Swarm Nodes, Services, and StacksConnect to local or remote Docker daemonsExecute most Docker CLI commands via keybindingsMonitor Docker containersFilter and sort lists of Docker resourcesInspect Docker resources (containers, images, networks, services, volumes)View container logs and stats

Pricing Plans

Pricing checked Jul 11, 2026

Open Source

Free

  • Full source code access
  • MIT License license
  • Community support
  • Self-hosted
Calculate your costView full pricing

Is Dry worth the price?

95/100

Dry's pricing is exceptionally generous, offering a fully-featured open-source solution completely free of charge.

This makes it an outstanding value compared to any paid alternatives for Docker management. It's best for individual developers and small teams who prioritize cost-effectiveness and open-source solutions.

Hidden Costs & Gotchas

No official paid support available

Self-hosting requires user's infrastructure

How Dry Compares to Competitors

Dry stands out by being entirely free and open-source, unlike commercial Docker management tools that typically have paid tiers. For instance, Portainer offers a free Community Edition but also has Business Edition tiers starting from $15/month per node, providing more enterprise features and support. Dry's zero-cost model makes it significantly more accessible for individual users and small projects.

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Best Dry Alternatives

Top alternatives based on features, pricing, and user needs.

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Still deciding?

Most buyers shortlist 2 or 3 tools before committing. Pull a side-by-side comparison or browse the full alternatives shortlist below.

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Dry FAQ

How does Dry facilitate container orchestration?

Dry helps manage Docker Swarm environments by displaying information about Nodes, Services, and Stacks. It extends its capabilities to provide a comprehensive overview of these Swarm constructs, allowing users to interact with their orchestrated containers directly from the terminal. This provides a unified interface for both Docker and Docker Swarm management.

Which teams would benefit most from using Dry?

Dry is ideal for developers and system administrators who frequently interact with Docker and Docker Swarm. Its terminal-based interface and familiar keybindings make it suitable for users comfortable with command-line tools. Teams needing a lightweight and powerful tool for container management and monitoring will find it particularly useful.

How does Dry compare to Portainer for Docker management?

Dry provides a terminal user interface (TUI) for managing Docker and Docker Swarm, offering extensive control and monitoring capabilities directly from the command line. In contrast, Portainer is a graphical user interface (GUI) tool. Dry's strength lies in its lightweight, single-binary distribution and familiar keybindings for Docker CLI users, appealing to those who prefer terminal-based workflows.

What kind of limitations should users be aware of with Dry?

Dry primarily functions as a command-line tool, which may not be suitable for users who prefer graphical interfaces. It requires comfort with terminal-based interactions, and there might be a learning curve for new keybindings for some users. Its strength is in its terminal-centric design, which is also its main trade-off for those accustomed to GUIs.

Does Dry include a free tier?

Dry is free to use, as no paid plan is required to access its features. It is distributed as a single binary, making it easy to install and use without any associated costs. This allows users to manage Docker and Docker Swarm environments without subscription fees.

Can Dry manage Docker environments on remote servers?

Yes, Dry can connect to both local and remote Docker daemons, offering flexibility in management. This capability allows users to oversee and control Docker containers and Swarm clusters regardless of their physical location. It provides a unified interface for managing distributed Docker setups.

How does Dry assist with Docker container monitoring?

Dry functions as a monitoring tool for Docker containers, providing real-time insights into their status and performance. It offers a comprehensive overview of Docker components like Containers, Images, and Networks. This allows users to keep track of their Docker environment directly from the terminal.

Source: github.com

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