Cosmos Cloud vs Lazydocker: Compared
Quick Verdict
These tools serve fundamentally different purposes. Cosmos Cloud is a full self-hosting platform with container management, a built-in reverse proxy, app marketplace, and security features. Lazydocker is a terminal dashboard for quick Docker monitoring and interaction. Choose Cosmos Cloud for platform management; use Lazydocker as a complementary SSH debugging tool.
Overview
Cosmos Cloud is a self-hosted platform that combines Docker management with a reverse proxy, app marketplace, VPN integration (Constellation), identity provider, and security features (Smart Shield). It aims to be the single management layer for your entire self-hosted stack. Current version: v0.20.2.
Lazydocker is a terminal UI (TUI) that provides a real-time dashboard of containers, images, volumes, and logs. It’s a single binary with no server component — run it via SSH when you need to check on things. Current version: v0.24.4.
Cosmos Cloud is an operating system for self-hosting. Lazydocker is a diagnostic tool.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Cosmos Cloud v0.20 | Lazydocker v0.24 |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | Web UI | Terminal UI |
| Container lifecycle | Full management | Start/stop/restart/remove |
| Built-in reverse proxy | Yes (with SSL) | No |
| App marketplace | Yes (curated store) | No |
| Docker Compose support | Yes | No |
| User management | Yes (multi-user, 2FA) | No |
| VPN integration | Yes (Constellation) | No |
| DDoS protection | Yes (Smart Shield) | No |
| Identity provider | Built-in OpenID | No |
| Log viewing | Yes | Yes (real-time, colored) |
| Resource monitoring | Yes | Yes (CPU, RAM per container) |
| Shell into containers | Yes | Yes (exec) |
| Auto-updates | Yes | No |
| Always running | Yes (background) | No (on-demand) |
| RAM usage | ~150-200 MB | ~10 MB (while active) |
Use Cases
Choose Cosmos Cloud If…
- You want a single platform to manage containers, proxy, and security
- You want an app store for one-click deployments
- You need multi-user access with authentication
- You want a built-in reverse proxy (replacing separate NPM/Traefik)
- You want VPN connectivity between devices
- You want a polished web UI accessible from any browser
Choose Lazydocker If…
- You want quick, zero-overhead Docker monitoring via SSH
- You need to tail logs across multiple containers
- You want a lightweight tool that doesn’t run as a persistent service
- You prefer terminal-based workflows
- You already have a reverse proxy and management setup, and just need a monitoring tool
Use Both If…
- You run Cosmos Cloud as your platform but want Lazydocker for quick SSH-based troubleshooting. Lazydocker installed as a host binary works alongside any Docker management platform.
Final Verdict
Cosmos Cloud for platform management, Lazydocker for terminal debugging. If you’re setting up a self-hosting environment from scratch, Cosmos Cloud gives you container management, reverse proxy, and security in one package. If you already have a setup and just need a way to quickly check on containers via SSH, Lazydocker is the right tool.
They’re not competing — they’re complementary. Install Cosmos Cloud (or Portainer, or Dockge) for management, and keep Lazydocker installed as a host binary for when you need a quick terminal-based status check.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Lazydocker manage containers deployed through Cosmos Cloud?
Yes. Lazydocker sees all Docker containers regardless of how they were deployed. You can view, restart, and check logs of Cosmos-managed containers through Lazydocker.
Is Cosmos Cloud heavier than running Portainer + NPM separately?
About the same. Cosmos Cloud uses ~150-200 MB combining both functions. Portainer (~100-200 MB) plus NPM (~80-120 MB) uses ~200-320 MB total. Cosmos is slightly more resource-efficient as an all-in-one solution.
Does Lazydocker work on ARM servers?
Yes. Lazydocker provides ARM64 binaries. It works on Raspberry Pi 4/5, ARM-based VPS, and Apple Silicon (via Docker for Mac).
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