Need advice about which tool to choose?Ask the StackShare community!

Docker Cloud

78
127
+ 1
11
Docker Swarm

792
987
+ 1
282
Add tool

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.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

Decisions about Docker Cloud and Docker Swarm
Simon Reymann
Senior Fullstack Developer at QUANTUSflow Software GmbH · | 30 upvotes · 10.7M views

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.
See more
Manage your open source components, licenses, and vulnerabilities
Learn More
Pros of Docker Cloud
Pros of Docker Swarm
  • 9
    Easy to use
  • 2
    Seamless transition from docker compose
  • 55
    Docker friendly
  • 46
    Easy to setup
  • 40
    Standard Docker API
  • 38
    Easy to use
  • 23
    Native
  • 22
    Free
  • 13
    Clustering made easy
  • 12
    Simple usage
  • 11
    Integral part of docker
  • 6
    Cross Platform
  • 5
    Labels and annotations
  • 5
    Performance
  • 3
    Easy Networking
  • 3
    Shallow learning curve

Sign up to add or upvote prosMake informed product decisions

Cons of Docker Cloud
Cons of Docker Swarm
    Be the first to leave a con
    • 9
      Low adoption

    Sign up to add or upvote consMake informed product decisions

    What is Docker Cloud?

    Docker Cloud is the best way to deploy and manage Dockerized applications. Docker Cloud makes it easy for new Docker users to manage and deploy the full spectrum of applications, from single container apps to distributed microservices stacks, to any cloud or on-premises infrastructure.

    What is Docker Swarm?

    Swarm serves the standard Docker API, so any tool which already communicates with a Docker daemon can use Swarm to transparently scale to multiple hosts: Dokku, Compose, Krane, Deis, DockerUI, Shipyard, Drone, Jenkins... and, of course, the Docker client itself.

    Need advice about which tool to choose?Ask the StackShare community!

    What companies use Docker Cloud?
    What companies use Docker Swarm?
    Manage your open source components, licenses, and vulnerabilities
    Learn More

    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

    JavaScriptGitGitHub+33
    20
    2124
    JavaScriptGitHubNode.js+26
    20
    5010
    What are some alternatives to Docker Cloud and Docker Swarm?
    Kubernetes
    Kubernetes is an open source orchestration system for Docker containers. It handles scheduling onto nodes in a compute cluster and actively manages workloads to ensure that their state matches the users declared intentions.
    Cloud Foundry
    Cloud Foundry is an open platform as a service (PaaS) that provides a choice of clouds, developer frameworks, and application services. Cloud Foundry makes it faster and easier to build, test, deploy, and scale applications.
    Docker Hub
    It is the world's easiest way to create, manage, and deliver your teams' container applications. It is the perfect home for your teams' applications.
    Heroku
    Heroku is a cloud application platform – a new way of building and deploying web apps. Heroku lets app developers spend 100% of their time on their application code, not managing servers, deployment, ongoing operations, or scaling.
    Rancher
    Rancher is an open source container management platform that includes full distributions of Kubernetes, Apache Mesos and Docker Swarm, and makes it simple to operate container clusters on any cloud or infrastructure platform.
    See all alternatives