Docker Swarm vs Kubernetes

Struggling to choose between Docker Swarm and Kubernetes? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

Docker Swarm is a Development solution with tags like clustering, container-orchestration, docker.

It boasts features such as Native clustering for Docker, Turns multiple Docker hosts into a single virtual host, Load balancing, Service discovery, Scaling services across hosts, Rolling updates, Health checks and failover and pros including Easy clustering of Docker containers, Horizontal scaling, High availability, Load balancing out of the box, Rolling updates with zero downtime, Built-in service discovery.

On the other hand, Kubernetes is a Network & Admin product tagged with containers, orchestration, deployment, scaling, management.

Its standout features include Automatic binpacking, Self-healing, Horizontal scaling, Service discovery and load balancing, Automated rollouts and rollbacks, Secret and configuration management, Storage orchestration, Batch execution, and it shines with pros like Portable across public, private, and hybrid clouds, Extensible and modular architecture, Automation reduces human error, Built-in health checks and self-healing, Efficient resource utilization, Rapid application deployment.

Feature	Docker Swarm	Kubernetes
Overall Score	N/A	2
Primary Category	Development	Network & Admin

Product Overview

Docker Swarm

Description: Docker Swarm is a native clustering solution for Docker containers that turns a group of Docker engines into a single virtual Docker engine. It allows users to manage multiple Docker hosts as a cluster and deploy services across the cluster.

Kubernetes

Description: Kubernetes is an open-source container orchestration system for automating deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications. It groups containers into logical units for easy management and discovery.

Key Features Comparison

Docker Swarm Features

• Native clustering for Docker
• Turns multiple Docker hosts into a single virtual host
• Load balancing
• Service discovery
• Scaling services across hosts
• Rolling updates
• Health checks and failover

Kubernetes Features

• Automatic binpacking
• Self-healing
• Horizontal scaling
• Service discovery and load balancing
• Automated rollouts and rollbacks
• Secret and configuration management
• Storage orchestration
• Batch execution

Pros & Cons Analysis

Docker Swarm

Pros

• Easy clustering of Docker containers
• Horizontal scaling
• High availability
• Load balancing out of the box
• Rolling updates with zero downtime
• Built-in service discovery

Cons

• More complex than standalone Docker
• Requires Docker Engine on each node
• Not as feature rich as Kubernetes
• Limited metrics and logging

Kubernetes

Pros

• Portable across public, private, and hybrid clouds
• Extensible and modular architecture
• Automation reduces human error
• Built-in health checks and self-healing
• Efficient resource utilization
• Rapid application deployment

Cons

• Complex installation and configuration
• Steep learning curve
• Version skew and compatibility issues
• Monitoring and troubleshooting difficult
• Upgrading between versions can be challenging
• Hosted Kubernetes offerings can get expensive

Pricing Comparison

Docker Swarm

• Open Source

Kubernetes

• Open Source
• Managed Services