List of the Top 22 Container Orchestration Software for Docker in 2025

Google Cloud Run simplifies the intricacies of container orchestration, enabling developers to launch applications without the need to set up or maintain Kubernetes clusters. While it autonomously manages container orchestration, it also provides compatibility with Kubernetes for those who seek more detailed control and customization options. With features like automatic scaling and load balancing, Cloud Run ensures that containerized applications can scale effectively in response to varying traffic levels, making it a great solution for developers who prefer a hassle-free experience. New users can take advantage of $300 in free credits to discover how Cloud Run can streamline container orchestration without requiring manual oversight. This approach minimizes operational complexities and removes the burden of managing orchestration tools. With its serverless design, Cloud Run adeptly accommodates a wide range of containerized applications, whether simple or complex, and does so at any scale.

Kasm Workspaces enables you to access your work environment seamlessly through your web browser, regardless of the device or location you are in. This innovative platform is transforming the delivery of digital workspaces for organizations by utilizing open-source, web-native container streaming technology, which allows for a contemporary approach to Desktop as a Service, application streaming, and secure browser isolation. Beyond just a service, Kasm functions as a versatile platform equipped with a powerful API that can be tailored to suit your specific requirements, accommodating any scale of operation. Workspaces can be implemented wherever necessary, whether on-premise—including in Air-Gapped Networks—within cloud environments (both public and private), or through a hybrid approach that combines elements of both. Additionally, Kasm's flexibility ensures that it can adapt to the evolving needs of modern businesses.

Portainer Business simplifies the management of containers across various environments, from data centers to edge locations, and is compatible with Docker, Swarm, and Kubernetes, earning the trust of over 500,000 users. Its user-friendly graphical interface and robust Kube-compatible API empower anyone to easily deploy and manage containerized applications, troubleshoot container issues, establish automated Git workflows, and create user-friendly CaaS environments. The platform is compatible with all Kubernetes distributions and can be deployed either on-premises or in the cloud, making it ideal for collaborative settings with multiple users and clusters. Designed with a suite of security features, including RBAC, OAuth integration, and comprehensive logging, it is well-suited for large-scale, complex production environments. For platform managers aiming to provide a self-service CaaS environment, Portainer offers a range of tools to regulate user permissions effectively and mitigate risks associated with container deployment in production. Additionally, Portainer Business comes with full support and a detailed onboarding process that ensures seamless implementation and fast-tracks your operational readiness. This commitment to user experience and security makes it a preferred choice for organizations looking to streamline their container management.

SaltStack serves as an advanced IT automation platform capable of managing, securing, and enhancing infrastructure across various environments, whether on-premises, in the cloud, or at the edge. It operates on an event-driven automation engine that intelligently identifies and reacts to system changes, which proves invaluable in handling intricate settings. This robust framework is especially useful in addressing the complexities of modern IT landscapes. The latest addition to SaltStack's offerings is its SecOps suite, designed to identify security vulnerabilities and misconfigurations within systems. With this advanced automation, issues can be promptly detected and rectified, ensuring that your infrastructure remains secure, compliant, and continuously updated. Within the SecOps suite, the components Comply and Protect play crucial roles. Comply is responsible for checking compliance against standards such as CIS, DISA, STIG, NIST, and PCI. Additionally, it assesses operating systems for vulnerabilities and facilitates the updating of patches to bolster security measures effectively. This comprehensive approach not only enhances security but also simplifies the management of compliance requirements.

Stakkr acts as a Docker recompose tool, easing the process of creating and managing service stacks, which is especially beneficial in web development contexts. By utilizing its configuration file, users can establish necessary services, enabling Stakkr to automatically link and launch everything required. Functioning exclusively through a command line interface, it presents a strong alternative to Vagrant. For those acquainted with Docker, the complexity of building a fully functional environment with interconnected services can be daunting, often requiring either manual effort or the reliance on docker-compose. Although docker-compose is frequently the go-to method, it demands constant modifications for varying environments, including changes to parameters and image selections, which can be quite overwhelming for beginners. Stakkr helps to mitigate these challenges by providing a simple configuration file and a predefined list of services that can be enhanced with plugins, thus simplifying the environment setup process. Additionally, it improves user experience by allowing straightforward control directly through the command line, ultimately making Docker more accessible for developers. Consequently, with Stakkr, the task of setting up development environments is rendered more efficient and significantly less intimidating. This innovation could potentially transform how developers approach Docker configurations, making it a game changer in the field.

You have the option to utilize your preferred debugging software to address issues with your Kubernetes services on a local level. Telepresence, an open-source solution, facilitates the execution of a single service locally while maintaining a connection to a remote Kubernetes cluster. Originally created by Ambassador Labs, known for their open-source development tools like Ambassador and Forge, Telepresence encourages community participation through issue submissions, pull requests, and bug reporting. Engaging in our vibrant Slack community is a great way to ask questions or explore available paid support options. The development of Telepresence is ongoing, and by registering, you can stay informed about updates and announcements. This tool enables you to debug locally without the delays associated with building, pushing, or deploying containers. Additionally, it allows users to leverage their preferred local tools such as debuggers and integrated development environments (IDEs), while also supporting the execution of large-scale applications that may not be feasible to run locally. Furthermore, the ability to connect a local environment to a remote cluster significantly enhances the debugging process and overall development workflow.

Our innovative platform empowers you to establish decentralized coding and data science workflows with contractors, freelancers, and developers from anywhere in the world. These professionals utilize their own devices while meticulously auditing your data to uphold its security. Strong Network has developed a comprehensive multi-cloud solution known as Virtual Workspace Infrastructure. This infrastructure enables organizations to securely consolidate their access to global data science and coding operations through a user-friendly web interface. The VWI platform plays a crucial role in enhancing the DevSecOps framework within companies. Notably, it operates independently of existing CI/CD pipelines, ensuring seamless integration. The focus on process security encompasses data, code, and other essential resources. Moreover, the platform automates the principles and deployment of Zero-Trust Architecture, safeguarding the company’s most critical intellectual property assets. Ultimately, this innovative solution revolutionizes how businesses approach collaboration and security in their projects.

Bacula Enterprise delivers a comprehensive platform designed specifically for cloud backup and recovery tailored to the needs of the Modern Data Center, making it particularly suitable for medium to large enterprises. This software stands out due to its innovative features, contemporary architecture, and significant business value, all while maintaining a low total cost of ownership. By leveraging distinctive technologies, Bacula Enterprise enhances its compatibility across diverse IT environments, which include managed service providers, software vendors, enterprise data centers, and various cloud providers. Thousands of organizations worldwide, including prestigious institutions like NASA, Texas A&M University, and Unicredit, rely on Bacula Enterprise for their mission-critical operations. Additionally, Bacula outperforms competing vendors by offering superior security features and advanced hybrid cloud connectivity options to major platforms such as Amazon S3, Google, and Oracle, ensuring that businesses can safeguard their data effectively. The robust capabilities of Bacula Enterprise make it an invaluable asset for organizations seeking reliable data protection and recovery solutions.

Harpoon is an easy-to-use drag-and-drop application tailored for Kubernetes, enabling rapid software deployment in mere seconds. Whether you're new to Kubernetes or looking for a streamlined method to enhance your skills, Harpoon provides all the essential tools needed for the successful deployment and configuration of applications on this top-tier container orchestration platform, eliminating the necessity of writing any code. Its user-friendly visual interface allows anyone to effortlessly launch software that is ready for production. You can manage anything from simple applications to complex enterprise-level cloud deployments, facilitating software deployment and configuration while enabling autoscaling in Kubernetes without requiring code or configuration scripts. With just one click, you can quickly search for and deploy any available commercial or open-source software to the cloud. Furthermore, Harpoon prioritizes security by running automated security scripts prior to the launch of any applications or services, ensuring the safety of your cloud provider account. Additionally, you can easily connect Harpoon to your source code repository from virtually any location, establishing an automated deployment pipeline that guarantees a seamless development process. This efficient methodology not only conserves time but also boosts productivity, making Harpoon an indispensable resource for developers aiming to optimize their workflow. As a result, developers can focus more on innovation rather than being bogged down by tedious setup processes.

We are excited to present a self-service development platform specifically designed for your applications, databases, and a variety of tasks. You can start with just one workload and easily scale up to handle hundreds, using either compute resources or GPUs. Every stage from code deployment to production can be enhanced with customizable self-service workflows, pipelines, templates, and GitOps methodologies. You can confidently launch environments for preview, staging, and production, all while taking advantage of integrated observability tools, backup and restoration features, and options for rolling back if needed. Northflank works seamlessly with your favorite tools, accommodating any technology stack you prefer. Whether you utilize Northflank's secure environment or your own cloud account, you will experience the same exceptional developer journey, along with total control over where your data resides, your deployment regions, security protocols, and cloud expenses. By leveraging Kubernetes as its underlying operating system, Northflank delivers the benefits of a cloud-native setting without the usual challenges. Whether you choose Northflank’s user-friendly cloud service or link to your GKE, EKS, AKS, or even bare-metal configurations, you can establish a managed platform experience in just minutes, thereby streamlining your development process. This adaptability guarantees that your projects can grow effectively while ensuring high performance across various environments, ultimately empowering your development team to focus on innovation.

Mesos operates on principles akin to those of the Linux kernel; however, it does so at a higher abstraction level. Its kernel spans across all machines, enabling applications like Hadoop, Spark, Kafka, and Elasticsearch by providing APIs that oversee resource management and scheduling for entire data centers and cloud systems. Moreover, Mesos possesses native functionalities for launching containers with Docker and AppC images. This capability allows both cloud-native and legacy applications to coexist within a single cluster, while also supporting customizable scheduling policies tailored to specific needs. Users gain access to HTTP APIs that facilitate the development of new distributed applications, alongside tools dedicated to cluster management and monitoring. Additionally, the platform features a built-in Web UI, which empowers users to monitor the status of the cluster and browse through container sandboxes, improving overall operability and visibility. This comprehensive framework not only enhances user experience but also positions Mesos as a highly adaptable choice for efficiently managing intricate application deployments in diverse environments. Its design fosters scalability and flexibility, making it suitable for organizations of varying sizes and requirements.

Aptible offers an integrated solution to implement critical security protocols necessary for regulatory compliance and customer audits seamlessly. Through its Aptible Deploy feature, users can easily uphold compliance standards while addressing customer audit requirements. The platform guarantees that databases, network traffic, and certificates are encrypted securely, satisfying all relevant encryption regulations. Automatic data backups occur every 24 hours, with the option for manual backups at any time, and restoring data is simplified to just a few clicks. In addition, it maintains detailed logs for each deployment, changes in configuration, database tunnels, console activities, and user sessions, ensuring thorough documentation. Aptible also provides continuous monitoring of EC2 instances within your infrastructure to detect potential security vulnerabilities like unauthorized SSH access, rootkit infections, file integrity discrepancies, and privilege escalation attempts. Furthermore, the dedicated Aptible Security Team is on standby 24/7 to quickly investigate and resolve any security incidents, keeping your systems protected. This proactive security management allows you to concentrate on your primary business objectives, confident that your security needs are in capable hands. By prioritizing security, Aptible empowers businesses to thrive without the constant worry of compliance risks.

Nebula, the container orchestration platform, is crafted to enable developers and operations teams to oversee IoT devices in a manner akin to distributed Docker applications. Its main objective is to act as a Docker orchestrator that not only caters to IoT devices but also supports distributed services, including CDN and edge computing, potentially reaching thousands or even millions of devices worldwide, all while being entirely open-source and free to utilize. As an initiative rooted in open-source principles and focused on enhancing Docker orchestration, Nebula adeptly manages large clusters by allowing each project component to scale in response to demand. This groundbreaking platform allows for the simultaneous updates of tens of thousands of IoT devices globally with just a single API call, emphasizing its goal of treating IoT devices similarly to Dockerized applications. Additionally, the adaptability and scalability of Nebula position it as a compelling solution for the constantly evolving fields of IoT and distributed computing, making it an essential tool for future technological advancements. Its ability to streamline device management and ensure efficient updates signals a significant leap forward for developers and organizations looking to optimize their IoT infrastructure.

Marathon is a powerful container orchestration tool that works in harmony with Mesosphere’s Datacenter Operating System (DC/OS) and Apache Mesos to provide exceptional high availability through its active/passive clustering and leader election strategies, ensuring uninterrupted service. It is compatible with multiple container runtimes, offering seamless integration for Mesos containers that utilize cgroups and Docker, making it suitable for a variety of development ecosystems. Furthermore, Marathon enables the deployment of stateful applications by allowing users to attach persistent storage volumes to their applications, which proves advantageous for running data-driven databases like MySQL and Postgres under Mesos management. The platform features a user-friendly and robust interface, alongside an array of service discovery and load balancing solutions tailored to meet different requirements. Health checks are conducted to assess application performance through HTTP or TCP protocols, thereby enhancing reliability. Additionally, users can establish event subscriptions by supplying an HTTP endpoint to receive notifications, facilitating integration with external load balancers. Metrics can be accessed in JSON format at the /metrics endpoint and can also be integrated with popular monitoring systems such as Graphite, StatsD, DataDog, or scraped by Prometheus, thereby allowing for thorough monitoring and evaluation of application performance. This array of capabilities makes Marathon an adaptable and effective solution for managing containerized applications, ensuring that developers have the tools they need for efficient orchestration and management. Ultimately, its features not only streamline operational processes but also enhance the overall deployment experience for various applications.

Helios acts as a platform for Docker orchestration, facilitating the deployment and management of containerized applications across a diverse range of servers. It provides users with both an HTTP API and a command-line interface, ensuring smooth interaction with their container-hosting servers. Furthermore, Helios keeps track of important events within the cluster, documenting activities such as deployments, restarts, and version changes. The binary version is tailored for Ubuntu 14.04.1 LTS, yet it can also operate on any system that supports at least Java 8 and a recent iteration of Maven 3. In addition, users can utilize helios-solo to create a local setup that includes both a Helios master and an agent. Helios takes a practical stance; although it does not strive to tackle every issue right away, it focuses on providing reliable performance with its existing features. As a result, certain capabilities, including resource limits and dynamic scheduling, are still in development. Currently, the primary emphasis is on refining CI/CD applications and associated tools, but there are intentions to eventually introduce advanced features such as dynamic scheduling and composite jobs. This ongoing development of Helios illustrates a commitment to enhancing user experience and adaptability to feedback. Ultimately, the platform aims to evolve continually in response to the changing needs of its users.

Data-driven computational workflows can be effectively managed with Nextflow, which facilitates reproducible and scalable scientific processes through the use of software containers. This platform enables the adaptation of scripts from various popular scripting languages, making it versatile. The Fluent DSL within Nextflow simplifies the implementation and deployment of intricate reactive and parallel workflows across clusters and cloud environments. It was developed with the conviction that Linux serves as the universal language for data science. By leveraging Nextflow, users can streamline the creation of computational pipelines that amalgamate multiple tasks seamlessly. Existing scripts and tools can be easily reused, and there's no necessity to learn a new programming language to utilize Nextflow effectively. Furthermore, Nextflow supports various container technologies, including Docker and Singularity, enhancing its flexibility. The integration with the GitHub code-sharing platform enables the crafting of self-contained pipelines, efficient version management, rapid reproduction of any configuration, and seamless incorporation of shared code. Acting as an abstraction layer, Nextflow connects the logical framework of your pipeline with its execution mechanics, allowing for greater efficiency in managing complex workflows. This makes it a powerful tool for researchers looking to enhance their computational capabilities.

Centurion serves as a specialized deployment tool tailored for Docker, streamlining the process of fetching containers from a Docker registry to deploy them across various hosts while making sure that the right environment variables, host volume mappings, and port settings are configured correctly. It features built-in support for rolling deployments, which simplifies the application delivery process to Docker servers within production environments. The deployment process is structured in two stages: first, the container is built and pushed to the registry, and then Centurion transfers it from the registry to the Docker infrastructure. Integration with the registry utilizes Docker command line tools, ensuring compatibility with existing solutions that adhere to standard registry practices. For those new to registries, gaining an understanding of their functions is recommended prior to using Centurion for deployments. The development of Centurion is conducted transparently, promoting community engagement through issues and pull requests, and is consistently updated by a dedicated team at New Relic. This community-driven approach not only fosters continuous enhancement but also ensures that the tool adapts effectively to the evolving needs of its users, encouraging a dynamic feedback loop. As a result, Centurion stands out as a robust solution for managing Docker deployments that can evolve alongside user requirements.

Recent versions of Docker introduce swarm mode, which facilitates the native administration of a cluster referred to as a swarm, comprising multiple Docker Engines. By utilizing the Docker CLI, users can effortlessly establish a swarm, launch various application services within it, and monitor the swarm's operational activities. The integration of cluster management into the Docker Engine allows for the creation of a swarm of Docker Engines to deploy services without relying on any external orchestration tools. Its decentralized design enables the Docker Engine to effectively manage node roles during runtime instead of at deployment, thus allowing both manager and worker nodes to be deployed simultaneously from a single disk image. Additionally, the Docker Engine embraces a declarative service model, enabling users to thoroughly define the desired state of their application’s service stack. This efficient methodology not only simplifies the deployment procedure but also significantly improves the management of intricate applications by providing a clear framework. As a result, developers can focus more on building features and less on deployment logistics, ultimately driving innovation forward.

Make use of the advanced container operating systems available to efficiently manage and deploy your containers. By implementing immutable infrastructure, you can effortlessly scale and initiate your containerized applications. Project Atomic consists of essential elements like Atomic Host, Team Silverblue, and a suite of container tools designed for cloud-native ecosystems. Atomic Host enables the establishment of immutable infrastructure, allowing deployment across numerous servers in both private and public cloud environments. It is available in multiple editions, including Fedora Atomic Host, CentOS Atomic Host, and Red Hat Atomic Host, each tailored to meet specific platform and support needs. We provide various Atomic Host releases to strike a balance between long-term stability and the incorporation of cutting-edge features. Additionally, Team Silverblue focuses on delivering an immutable desktop experience, ensuring a dependable and uniform user interface for all your computing requirements. This holistic approach empowers users to fully capitalize on the advantages of containerization in diverse settings, ultimately enhancing operational efficiency and reliability.

The leading platform for Kubernetes allows for its deployment in production environments. This platform ensures persistent storage, data security, backup management, capacity oversight, and disaster recovery solutions. It facilitates the seamless backup, restoration, and migration of Kubernetes applications across various cloud environments or data centers. With Portworx Enterprise Storage Platform, users gain comprehensive storage, data management, and security for their Kubernetes initiatives. This solution accommodates container-based services such as CaaS and DBaaS, along with SaaS and disaster recovery functionalities. Applications benefit from container-specific storage options, robust disaster recovery capabilities, and enhanced data protection. Additionally, the platform supports multi-cloud migrations, making it easier to address enterprise-level demands for Kubernetes data services. Users can enjoy cloud-like DBaaS accessibility without relinquishing control over their data. By simplifying operational complexities, it scales the backend data services that underpin your SaaS applications. Disaster recovery can be integrated into any Kubernetes application with a single command, ensuring that all Kubernetes applications are readily backed up and restorable whenever necessary. This efficiency empowers organizations to maintain control while leveraging the advantages of cloud technologies.

Test Kitchen is a versatile testing framework designed to run infrastructure code in a secure and controlled setting that spans various platforms. It utilizes a driver plugin architecture, enabling code execution on numerous cloud services and virtualization platforms such as Vagrant, Amazon EC2, Microsoft Azure, Google Compute Engine, and Docker, to name a few. Additionally, the tool is pre-equipped with support for multiple testing frameworks, including Chef InSpec, Serverspec, and Bats. It also seamlessly integrates with Chef Infra workflows, allowing for the management of cookbook dependencies via Berkshelf, Policyfiles, or simply by placing them in a cookbooks/ directory for automatic detection. Consequently, Test Kitchen has gained significant traction within the community of Chef-managed cookbooks, establishing itself as a go-to tool for integration testing within the cookbook landscape. This widespread adoption highlights its critical role in verifying that infrastructure code remains resilient and dependable across a wide array of environments. Furthermore, Test Kitchen's ability to streamline the testing process contributes to enhanced collaboration among developers and operations teams.

What distinguishes azk from other software is its commitment to being open source (Apache 2.0) indefinitely. It adopts an agnostic stance that features an exceptionally gentle learning curve, allowing users to continue using their familiar development tools. With just a few simple commands, you can cut down the setup time from hours or even days to mere minutes. The brilliance of azk is found in its capacity to execute concise recipe files known as Azkfile.js, which define the environments that need to be installed and configured. Its performance is remarkably efficient, so much so that your machine hardly feels its presence at all. By utilizing containers instead of traditional virtual machines, azk achieves enhanced performance while using fewer physical resources. Built upon Docker, the premier open-source container management engine, azk guarantees that sharing an Azkfile.js results in complete consistency across various development environments, significantly reducing the chances of bugs during deployment. If you're concerned about whether all team members are using the latest version of the development environment, azk provides a straightforward way to check and ensure synchronization across all machines, thus fostering a more collaborative and efficient work environment. This capability not only boosts productivity but also enhances the overall development experience by maintaining uniformity across different setups.