Watchtower vs lazydocker: What are the differences?

Comparison Between Watchtower and lazydocker

Watchtower and lazydocker are two different tools with different purposes in the development workflow. Here are the key differences between them:

1. Functionality: Watchtower is a container management tool that automates the process of updating containerized applications. It continuously monitors the Docker images running on a host and updates them with the latest available versions. On the other hand, lazydocker is a terminal UI tool that provides an interactive dashboard to manage and monitor Docker containers and images. It allows users to view container logs, manage volumes, restart containers, and perform various Docker-related tasks from a terminal interface.

2. Ease of Use: Watchtower is designed to be a hands-off tool for automatic updates. Once set up, it operates in the background without the need for manual intervention. It simplifies the update process for containerized applications and requires minimal configuration. In contrast, lazydocker provides a more interactive and intuitive user interface. It offers a comprehensive set of Docker management features accessible through a terminal dashboard, making it easier for users to navigate and perform actions on containers.

3. Updates: Watchtower focuses primarily on automating the update process for Docker containers. It checks for new versions of container images and replaces the running containers with the latest versions. Lazydocker, on the other hand, does not directly handle updates. It provides monitoring and management capabilities for Docker containers but does not automate the update process like Watchtower. Users need to manually pull and update container images using Docker commands within the lazydocker interface.

4. Supported Platforms: Watchtower is a standalone tool that operates independently of other tools and platforms. It can be used with any Docker host that runs containers. Lazydocker, however, requires Docker to be installed on the system and operates directly within the Docker environment. It leverages the Docker API to provide an interface for managing containers and images.

5. Customization: Watchtower provides limited customization options. It automatically updates containers running on the host with the latest available versions from the Docker registry. Users can configure the frequency of updates and specify container exclusion filters. Lazydocker, on the other hand, offers more flexibility and customization options. It allows users to filter and sort containers, configure custom views, and set up keyboard shortcuts for specific actions. Users can tailor the interface to their preferences and workflow.

6. Interface Type: Watchtower works entirely in the background and does not provide a graphical user interface (GUI) or a terminal-based dashboard. It operates as a service and performs updates transparently. Lazydocker, however, is a terminal UI tool that provides a feature-rich dashboard within the terminal. Users interact with lazydocker through keyboard commands and navigate through various Docker management screens to perform container-related actions.

In summary, Watchtower focuses on automating container updates, operates as a background service, and requires minimal user interaction, while lazydocker provides an interactive terminal-based dashboard with comprehensive Docker management features but does not automate container updates.