Amazon EC2 Container Service vs Docker Cloud: What are the differences?

Introduction

In this article, we will compare Amazon EC2 Container Service (ECS) and Docker Cloud, two popular solutions for managing containers as a service. We will highlight the key differences between these two platforms, providing a comprehensive overview for anyone considering the use of containerization in their website or application deployment.

1. Integration with Cloud Providers: Amazon ECS is tightly integrated with Amazon Web Services (AWS) and offers seamless integration with other AWS services. It leverages the full breadth of AWS offerings, including IAM for security, Elastic Load Balancing for distributing traffic, and CloudWatch for monitoring. Docker Cloud, on the other hand, is cloud-agnostic and allows you to deploy containers across different cloud providers, such as Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure, giving you more flexibility in choosing your infrastructure.

2. Managed Service vs. SaaS Solution: Amazon ECS is a managed service provided by AWS, meaning that AWS takes care of the underlying infrastructure and management of the container environment. Docker Cloud, on the other hand, is a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution that operates as a centralized platform for managing containers. With Docker Cloud, you have more control over the deployment and management of your containers, but you are responsible for the underlying infrastructure.

3. Scalability and Elasticity: Amazon ECS offers built-in features for scaling and elasticity. It integrates with Amazon EC2 Auto Scaling, allowing you to automatically scale your container instances based on demand. It also supports integration with Amazon Elastic Load Balancing, enabling automatic scaling of your application across multiple containers. Docker Cloud provides similar scaling capabilities but lacks the tight integration with AWS services, making it less optimized for AWS-specific features.

4. Pricing Model: The pricing models of Amazon ECS and Docker Cloud differ significantly. Amazon ECS pricing is based on the actual resources used, such as the number of EC2 instances and the amount of storage. In contrast, Docker Cloud offers a flat-rate pricing model that includes a fixed number of nodes; additional nodes incur extra charges. This key difference in pricing models might influence your decision based on your specific resource utilization requirements.

5. User Interface and User Experience: Docker Cloud provides a user-friendly web-based interface for managing containers, making it easy to deploy, monitor, and manage containers. It has an intuitive UI with powerful features, such as automated build and deployment. Amazon ECS, while also offering a web-based management console, has a more complex interface due to the tight integration with other AWS services. Users familiar with the AWS ecosystem might find Amazon ECS more convenient, while those specifically focused on container management might prefer the streamlined experience provided by Docker Cloud.

6. Community and Support: Docker has a large and active community, offering extensive resources, tutorials, and support forums. Docker Cloud benefits from this vibrant community, with numerous community-contributed integrations and plugins available. Amazon ECS, being an AWS product, has a strong support ecosystem backed by the official AWS support channels, including technical documentation, forums, and direct support from AWS experts.

In summary, Amazon EC2 Container Service and Docker Cloud have distinct differences. Amazon ECS offers seamless integration with AWS services and follows a managed service approach, while Docker Cloud is cloud-agnostic and operates as a SaaS solution. The scalability, pricing models, user interface, and support ecosystems vary between the two platforms, ultimately leading to different use cases and preferences for container management.