Docker vs Lando: What are the differences?

Introduction:

In the world of web development and containerization, Docker and Lando are both popular tools that offer different features and advantages. Understanding the key differences between Docker and Lando can help developers choose the right tool for their specific needs.

1. Runtime Environment: Docker is a containerization platform that allows running applications in isolated environments called containers. It provides a consistent runtime environment across different systems, making it easier to deploy and manage applications. Lando, on the other hand, is a development tool that focuses on simplifying local web development workflows. It provides developers with pre-configured development environments that can be easily shared and replicated.

2. Configuration and Management: Docker requires developers to write Dockerfiles, which are configuration files that define how to build and run a Docker container. It offers fine-grained control over the container configuration and allows easy scaling and orchestration of containers using tools like Docker Compose and Kubernetes. Lando, on the other hand, uses a declarative configuration file called .lando.yml to define the development environment. It abstracts away the low-level details of containerization and provides a simple and easy-to-use interface for managing the development environment.

3. Services and Tooling: Docker provides a wide range of services and tooling that can be used with containers, such as databases, load balancers, and caching systems. It also has a vast ecosystem of ready-to-use Docker images available on Docker Hub. Lando, on the other hand, focuses on providing pre-configured development services like databases, caching systems, and server configurations. It offers an extensible plugin system to add new services and integrates with popular tools like Drush, Behat, and PHPUnit.

4. Community and Support: Docker has a large and active community with extensive documentation, tutorials, and resources available online. It is widely adopted and supported by major cloud providers, making it easy to deploy Docker containers in production environments. Lando also has a growing community, but it may not have the same level of support and resources as Docker. However, Lando provides excellent documentation and has an active Slack community where developers can seek help and share their experiences.

5. Platform Compatibility: Docker is compatible with various operating systems and can run on Windows, macOS, and Linux. It provides a consistent environment across different platforms, making it easier to develop and deploy applications on different systems. Lando, on the other hand, primarily focuses on providing a seamless development experience on macOS and Linux. While it does have experimental support for Windows, the level of support and compatibility may not be as robust as Docker.

6. Use Cases: Docker is widely used in production environments for deploying and managing applications at scale. It is suitable for complex applications that require fine-grained control over the runtime environment and infrastructure. Lando, on the other hand, is primarily targeted at local web development workflows. It is ideal for developers who want a quick and easy way to set up and manage development environments without dealing with the complexities of containerization.

In summary, Docker provides a powerful containerization platform with extensive tooling and flexibility, making it suitable for production deployments. On the other hand, Lando offers a simplified and streamlined development workflow, focusing on local web development environments.