Docker vs Moby: What are the differences?

Introduction

Docker and Moby are both containerization platforms that aim to provide lightweight and efficient solutions for managing and deploying applications. While they share many similarities, there are key differences between the two that distinguish them from each other.

1. Architecture: Docker is a complete containerization platform that includes a runtime, tools, and libraries to build, package, and distribute containers. On the other hand, Moby is an open framework that allows developers to assemble custom container systems by combining different container components.

2. Customizability: Docker provides a comprehensive user-friendly interface and an opinionated workflow for building and managing containers. In contrast, Moby is designed to emphasize modularity and customizability, allowing developers to select and swap out various components to create a container platform tailored to their specific needs.

3. Scope: Docker is a standalone product that provides a complete containerization solution out of the box. It includes features like networking, storage, orchestration, and security. Conversely, Moby serves as a foundation for creating container systems and can be extended and customized by adding different components for specific use cases.

4. Community Involvement: Docker has a large and active community that contributes to its development, maintains a plugin ecosystem, and provides extensive documentation and resources. Moby, being an open framework, encourages community involvement in creating and maintaining container components, leading to a wider range of options and possibilities.

5. Visibility and Documentation: Docker has a strong focus on user experience, providing comprehensive documentation, tutorials, and examples that make it easy for beginners to get started. Moby, being a collection of customizable components, requires a deeper understanding of containerization concepts and the specific components chosen for a particular system.

6. Brand and Support: Docker is a well-established brand with a dedicated support team and a strong presence in the containerization industry. Moby, while closely associated with Docker, is a separate project with its own community and support channels. The level of support and resources available may vary between the two.

In summary, Docker is a complete containerization platform with an opinionated workflow, providing a user-friendly experience and extensive support. Moby, on the other hand, is an open framework that prioritizes customizability and community involvement, allowing developers to create tailored container systems for their specific needs.