Need advice about which tool to choose?Ask the StackShare community!
Docker Cloud vs Docker Swarm: What are the differences?
Introduction:
Docker Cloud and Docker Swarm are two popular tools used in the world of container orchestration. Despite both being created by Docker, Inc., they have key differences that set them apart.
Management Interface: Docker Cloud offers a graphical user interface that simplifies the management of containers, services, and nodes, making it easier for users to visualize and interact with their infrastructure. On the other hand, Docker Swarm requires users to work with command-line tools for most of the tasks, which may be more suitable for users who prefer working in a terminal environment.
Scalability: Docker Swarm is designed for scalability and can handle large-scale container deployments by distributing workloads across multiple nodes efficiently. On the contrary, Docker Cloud is more limited in terms of scalability, making it better suited for smaller deployments or testing purposes.
Managed Service: Docker Cloud is a fully managed service provided by Docker, Inc., which means that users do not have to worry about the underlying infrastructure or maintenance tasks. Docker Swarm, on the other hand, requires users to set up and manage their own servers, which can be more challenging for users who are not experienced with infrastructure management.
Multi-cloud Support: Docker Swarm is known for its ability to run on multiple cloud providers, allowing users to create a unified container orchestration environment across different cloud platforms. Docker Cloud, however, is more focused on a specific cloud provider, limiting its flexibility in terms of multi-cloud deployments.
Integration with Additional Services: Docker Cloud integrates seamlessly with other cloud services and tools, making it easier for users to build and deploy containerized applications within a cloud ecosystem. Docker Swarm, while versatile, may require more manual configuration and integrations to work with third-party services.
Community Support: Docker Swarm benefits from a strong community of users and contributors, providing a wealth of resources and documentation for troubleshooting and support. Docker Cloud, being a more specialized and managed service, may have fewer community resources available for users seeking assistance or guidance.
In Summary, Docker Cloud and Docker Swarm differ in terms of management interface, scalability, managed service, multi-cloud support, integration with additional services, and community support.
Our whole DevOps stack consists of the following tools:
- GitHub (incl. GitHub Pages/Markdown for Documentation, GettingStarted and HowTo's) for collaborative review and code management tool
- Respectively Git as revision control system
- SourceTree as Git GUI
- Visual Studio Code as IDE
- CircleCI for continuous integration (automatize development process)
- Prettier / TSLint / ESLint as code linter
- SonarQube as quality gate
- Docker as container management (incl. Docker Compose for multi-container application management)
- VirtualBox for operating system simulation tests
- Kubernetes as cluster management for docker containers
- Heroku for deploying in test environments
- nginx as web server (preferably used as facade server in production environment)
- SSLMate (using OpenSSL) for certificate management
- Amazon EC2 (incl. Amazon S3) for deploying in stage (production-like) and production environments
- PostgreSQL as preferred database system
- Redis as preferred in-memory database/store (great for caching)
The main reason we have chosen Kubernetes over Docker Swarm is related to the following artifacts:
- Key features: Easy and flexible installation, Clear dashboard, Great scaling operations, Monitoring is an integral part, Great load balancing concepts, Monitors the condition and ensures compensation in the event of failure.
- Applications: An application can be deployed using a combination of pods, deployments, and services (or micro-services).
- Functionality: Kubernetes as a complex installation and setup process, but it not as limited as Docker Swarm.
- Monitoring: It supports multiple versions of logging and monitoring when the services are deployed within the cluster (Elasticsearch/Kibana (ELK), Heapster/Grafana, Sysdig cloud integration).
- Scalability: All-in-one framework for distributed systems.
- Other Benefits: Kubernetes is backed by the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF), huge community among container orchestration tools, it is an open source and modular tool that works with any OS.
Pros of Docker Cloud
- Easy to use9
- Seamless transition from docker compose2
Pros of Docker Swarm
- Docker friendly55
- Easy to setup46
- Standard Docker API40
- Easy to use38
- Native23
- Free22
- Clustering made easy13
- Simple usage12
- Integral part of docker11
- Cross Platform6
- Labels and annotations5
- Performance5
- Easy Networking3
- Shallow learning curve3
Sign up to add or upvote prosMake informed product decisions
Cons of Docker Cloud
Cons of Docker Swarm
- Low adoption9
Sign up to add or upvote consMake informed product decisions
What is Docker Cloud?
What is Docker Swarm?
Need advice about which tool to choose?Ask the StackShare community!
What companies use Docker Cloud?
What companies use Docker Swarm?
Sign up to get full access to all the companiesMake informed product decisions
What tools integrate with Docker Cloud?
What tools integrate with Docker Swarm?
Sign up to get full access to all the tool integrationsMake informed product decisions
Blog Posts
+33
+26