Docker Cloud vs GitLab: What are the differences?

Introduction

In this article, we will discuss the key differences between Docker Cloud and GitLab in relation to their functionalities and features.

1. Scalability and Flexibility: Docker Cloud primarily focuses on providing a platform for container orchestration and management. It offers seamless integration with widely used containerization platform Docker, enabling developers to easily scale applications across multiple hosts with the help of its automatic load balancing and scheduling capabilities. On the other hand, GitLab is a comprehensive DevOps platform that not only supports containerization but also offers a wide range of integrated tools for source code management, continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD), and more. It provides a flexible and modular approach to handle the entire software development lifecycle.

2. Built-in Integrations: Docker Cloud provides built-in support and integration with popular cloud providers such as AWS and Azure, allowing users to easily deploy and manage their containers on these platforms. It also offers seamless integration with Docker Hub, simplifying the process of pulling and building container images. In contrast, GitLab offers a broad range of built-in integrations with various external services and tools, including popular cloud providers, Kubernetes, Prometheus, and many more. This extensive integration capability makes GitLab a comprehensive platform that can cater to a wide range of deployment and monitoring requirements.

3. Container Registry: Docker Cloud includes a private Docker image registry, enabling users to store and distribute their container images securely. It provides an easy-to-use UI for managing images, allowing developers to push, pull, and delete images effortlessly. In contrast, GitLab also includes a built-in container registry that not only supports Docker images but also other container formats such as OCI images. This registry is tightly integrated with GitLab's version control system, enabling developers to seamlessly store, manage, and version their container images as part of their source code repository.

4. CI/CD Automation: Docker Cloud does not have built-in CI/CD capabilities and mainly focuses on container orchestration and management tasks. On the other hand, GitLab offers robust CI/CD capabilities as a core part of its platform. It provides a powerful CI/CD pipeline configuration and management system that allows users to define and automate the entire application build, test, and deployment process. This capability eliminates the need for external CI/CD tools and streamlines the development and deployment workflow.

5. Collaboration and Code Review: GitLab has strong collaboration and code review features built into its platform. It allows multiple developers to collaborate on code through merge requests, enabling them to review, comment, and suggest changes to each other's code. GitLab also provides features like inline code commenting, code snippets, and code comparison tools, facilitating efficient code collaboration and review. Docker Cloud, on the other hand, does not have dedicated collaboration and code review features, as it primarily focuses on container management and deployment tasks.

6. Pricing and Availability: Docker Cloud has a pricing model based on the number of nodes and the level of support required. It offers a free tier with limited features and capacity. However, Docker Cloud has announced its end-of-life and will be discontinued after May 21st, 2021. GitLab, on the other hand, offers both a self-hosted version (Community Edition) and a cloud-hosted version (GitLab.com). The Community Edition is free and open-source, while the cloud-hosted version provides various pricing plans based on the desired features, storage, and number of users.

In summary, while Docker Cloud primarily focuses on container orchestration and provides seamless integration with the Docker ecosystem, GitLab offers a comprehensive DevOps platform with a wide range of integrated tools, extensive built-in integrations, and robust CI/CD capabilities. GitLab also excels in collaboration and code review features, while Docker Cloud emphasizes container management and deployment. Also, considering Docker Cloud's end-of-life status, GitLab provides a more sustainable and long-term solution for organizations' DevOps needs.