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Docker Compose vs Kompose: What are the differences?

Introduction: In the world of containerization, tools like Docker Compose and Kompose play crucial roles in managing Docker containers. While they both serve similar purposes, there are key differences between the two that developers need to be aware of.

  1. Definition: Docker Compose is a tool that allows you to define and run multi-container Docker applications, whereas Kompose is a conversion tool that takes existing Docker Compose files and converts them into Kubernetes resources.

  2. Orchestration: Docker Compose is primarily used for local development and testing environments, providing a simple way to define and run multi-container applications on a single host. In contrast, Kompose is focused on helping users transition from Docker Compose to Kubernetes, enabling them to leverage the benefits of Kubernetes orchestration for production environments.

  3. Flexibility: Docker Compose provides a straightforward way to define application services, networks, and volumes in a single YAML file, making it easy to manage and deploy containers. On the other hand, Kompose offers more flexibility by converting Docker Compose files into Kubernetes resources, allowing users to take advantage of Kubernetes features like auto-scaling, load balancing, and more.

  4. Resource Management: Docker Compose handles the management of Docker containers and networks locally, simplifying the process of setting up and running containerized applications. In contrast, Kompose translates Docker Compose files into Kubernetes objects like pods, services, deployments, and more, enabling users to manage resources using Kubernetes control plane.

  5. Community Support: Docker Compose has a large community of users and contributors, with extensive documentation and resources available for users at all levels. On the other hand, Kompose has a smaller but growing community, with active development and support from the Kubernetes community for users transitioning to Kubernetes from Docker Compose.

  6. Learning Curve: Docker Compose is relatively easy to learn and use, making it accessible for developers looking to containerize applications quickly for local development and testing. Kompose, on the other hand, requires users to have some familiarity with Kubernetes concepts and resources, adding a learning curve for those transitioning from Docker Compose to Kubernetes.

In Summary, Docker Compose is ideal for local development and testing of multi-container Docker applications, while Kompose is designed to help users transition from Docker Compose to Kubernetes for production deployments.

Decisions about Docker Compose and Kompose
Michael Roberts

We develop rapidly with docker-compose orchestrated services, however, for production - we utilise the very best ideas that Kubernetes has to offer: SCALE! We can scale when needed, setting a maximum and minimum level of nodes for each application layer - scaling only when the load balancer needs it. This allowed us to reduce our devops costs by 40% whilst also maintaining an SLA of 99.87%.

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Pros of Docker Compose
Pros of Kompose
  • 123
    Multi-container descriptor
  • 110
    Fast development environment setup
  • 79
    Easy linking of containers
  • 68
    Simple yaml configuration
  • 60
    Easy setup
  • 16
    Yml or yaml format
  • 12
    Use Standard Docker API
  • 8
    Open source
  • 5
    Go from template to application in minutes
  • 5
    Can choose Discovery Backend
  • 4
    Scalable
  • 4
    Easy configuration
  • 4
    Kubernetes integration
  • 3
    Quick and easy
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    Cons of Docker Compose
    Cons of Kompose
    • 9
      Tied to single machine
    • 5
      Still very volatile, changing syntax often
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      What is Docker Compose?

      With Compose, you define a multi-container application in a single file, then spin your application up in a single command which does everything that needs to be done to get it running.

      What is Kompose?

      Kubernetes + Compose. Kompose takes a Docker Compose file and translates it into Kubernetes resources.

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      What are some alternatives to Docker Compose and Kompose?
      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.
      Docker
      The Docker Platform is the industry-leading container platform for continuous, high-velocity innovation, enabling organizations to seamlessly build and share any application — from legacy to what comes next — and securely run them anywhere
      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.
      Helm
      Helm is the best way to find, share, and use software built for Kubernetes.
      Ansible
      Ansible is an IT automation tool. It can configure systems, deploy software, and orchestrate more advanced IT tasks such as continuous deployments or zero downtime rolling updates. Ansible’s goals are foremost those of simplicity and maximum ease of use.
      See all alternatives