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  1. Stackups
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  5. Docker vs Helm

Docker vs Helm

OverviewDecisionsComparisonAlternatives

Overview

Docker
Docker
Stacks194.2K
Followers143.8K
Votes3.9K
Helm
Helm
Stacks1.4K
Followers911
Votes18

Docker vs Helm: What are the differences?

## Introduction

Key differences between Docker and Helm are outlined below:

1. **Containerization vs. Package Manager**: Docker is a containerization platform that allows you to create, deploy, and run applications in containers, while Helm is a package manager for Kubernetes that simplifies the deployment and management of applications within Kubernetes clusters.
   
2. **Single Application vs. Multiple Applications**: Docker focuses on containerizing single applications, providing isolation and portability, whereas Helm is designed to manage multiple applications within a Kubernetes cluster, enabling easy installation, upgrading, and deletion of complex sets of microservices.

3. **Configuration Management**: Docker uses Dockerfiles to define the build process and configurations for individual containers, allowing for customization at the container level. In contrast, Helm uses charts to define application models and customizable templates, providing a higher level of abstraction for managing configurations across multiple deployments.

4. **Dependency Management**: Docker does not natively support dependency management between containers, requiring users to handle dependencies manually or using external tools. On the other hand, Helm offers dependency management through chart dependencies, simplifying the installation and management of complex applications with interdependent components.

5. **Versioning and Rollbacks**: Docker enables versioning at the container image level, allowing you to pull specific versions of images for deployment. Helm, on the other hand, offers versioning at the chart level, making it easier to manage and rollback changes to application configurations and dependencies.

6. **Community and Ecosystem**: Docker has a larger community and ecosystem focused on containerization technologies, providing a wide range of tools, integrations, and support for container-based workflows. Helm, being more focused on Kubernetes application management, has a smaller but dedicated community that offers a variety of charts, plugins, and resources specifically tailored for Kubernetes deployments.

## Summary

In Summary, Docker and Helm differ in their approach to containerization, package management, configuration, dependency handling, versioning, and community ecosystems within the Kubernetes landscape.

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Advice on Docker, Helm

Florian
Florian

IT DevOp at Agitos GmbH

Oct 22, 2019

Decided

lxd/lxc and Docker aren't congruent so this comparison needs a more detailed look; but in short I can say: the lxd-integrated administration of storage including zfs with its snapshot capabilities as well as the system container (multi-process) approach of lxc vs. the limited single-process container approach of Docker is the main reason I chose lxd over Docker.

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Detailed Comparison

Docker
Docker
Helm
Helm

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

Helm is the best way to find, share, and use software built for Kubernetes.

Integrated developer tools; open, portable images; shareable, reusable apps; framework-aware builds; standardized templates; multi-environment support; remote registry management; simple setup for Docker and Kubernetes; certified Kubernetes; application templates; enterprise controls; secure software supply chain; industry-leading container runtime; image scanning; access controls; image signing; caching and mirroring; image lifecycle; policy-based image promotion
-
Statistics
Stacks
194.2K
Stacks
1.4K
Followers
143.8K
Followers
911
Votes
3.9K
Votes
18
Pros & Cons
Pros
  • 823
    Rapid integration and build up
  • 692
    Isolation
  • 521
    Open source
  • 505
    Testa­bil­i­ty and re­pro­ducibil­i­ty
  • 460
    Lightweight
Cons
  • 8
    New versions == broken features
  • 6
    Documentation not always in sync
  • 6
    Unreliable networking
  • 4
    Moves quickly
  • 3
    Not Secure
Pros
  • 8
    Infrastructure as code
  • 6
    Open source
  • 2
    Easy setup
  • 1
    Support
  • 1
    Testa­bil­i­ty and re­pro­ducibil­i­ty
Integrations
Java
Java
Docker Compose
Docker Compose
VirtualBox
VirtualBox
Linux
Linux
Amazon EC2 Container Service
Amazon EC2 Container Service
Docker Swarm
Docker Swarm
boot2docker
boot2docker
Kubernetes
Kubernetes
Docker Machine
Docker Machine
Vagrant
Vagrant
Kubernetes
Kubernetes

What are some alternatives to Docker, Helm?

LXD

LXD

LXD isn't a rewrite of LXC, in fact it's building on top of LXC to provide a new, better user experience. Under the hood, LXD uses LXC through liblxc and its Go binding to create and manage the containers. It's basically an alternative to LXC's tools and distribution template system with the added features that come from being controllable over the network.

LXC

LXC

LXC is a userspace interface for the Linux kernel containment features. Through a powerful API and simple tools, it lets Linux users easily create and manage system or application containers.

rkt

rkt

Rocket is a cli for running App Containers. The goal of rocket is to be composable, secure, and fast.

Vagrant Cloud

Vagrant Cloud

Vagrant Cloud pairs with Vagrant to enable access, insight and collaboration across teams, as well as to bring exposure to community contributions and development environments.

Studio 3T

Studio 3T

It's the only MongoDB tool that provides three ways to explore data alongside powerful features like query autocompletion, polyglot code generation, a stage-by-stage aggregation query builder, import and export, SQL query support and more.

am

am

Official Gravitee.io Helm chart for Access Management.

helm

helm

Helm helps you manage Kubernetes applications — Helm Charts help you define, install, and upgrade even the most complex Kubernetes application.

common

common

A Library Helm Chart for grouping common logic between Atlassian charts. This chart is not deployable by itself.

prometheus

prometheus

Prometheus is a monitoring system and time series database.

cert-manager

cert-manager

A Helm chart for cert-manager.

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