Lazydocker vs Dockge: Which Docker Manager?

Quick Verdict

Lazydocker is a terminal UI for quick Docker monitoring over SSH. Dockge is a web-based Compose file manager with a real-time editor. They serve different workflows: Lazydocker for terminal users who SSH into their server, Dockge for people who want a browser-based compose management experience. Most self-hosters benefit more from Dockge since it makes editing and deploying compose stacks visual and shareable.

Overview

Lazydocker is a terminal user interface (TUI) for Docker written in Go by Jesse Duffield (also the creator of lazygit). It provides a dashboard view of containers, images, volumes, and networks directly in your terminal. No web server, no exposed ports — just SSH in and run it.

Dockge is a web-based Docker Compose manager created by Louis Lam (also the creator of Uptime Kuma). It focuses on managing docker-compose.yml files through a clean web interface with a real-time YAML editor and interactive terminal.

Feature Comparison

Feature	Lazydocker	Dockge
Interface	Terminal UI (TUI)	Web UI (browser)
Remote access	SSH only	Browser (any device)
Container monitoring	Real-time stats, logs	Real-time stats, logs
Compose management	View only	Full YAML editor + deploy
Stack creation	No	Yes (create from web UI)
Image management	Pull, remove, prune	Limited
Volume management	View, remove	Limited
Network management	View	Limited
Multi-user support	No (single SSH session)	Yes (user accounts)
Resource usage	~10-20 MB RAM	~50-80 MB RAM
Installation	Single binary or Docker	Docker container
Persistent service	No (run on demand)	Yes (always running)

Installation Complexity

Lazydocker can be installed as a single binary — no Docker required:

curl https://raw.githubusercontent.com/jesseduffield/lazydocker/master/scripts/install_update_linux.sh | bash

Or run via Docker (ironic but useful):

docker run --rm -it -v /var/run/docker.sock:/var/run/docker.sock lazyteam/lazydocker:v0.24.4

Dockge runs as a Docker container with a mounted stacks directory:

services:
  dockge:
    image: louislam/dockge:1.5.0
    ports:
      - "5001:5001"
    volumes:
      - /var/run/docker.sock:/var/run/docker.sock
      - ./data:/app/data
      - /opt/stacks:/opt/stacks
    environment:
      DOCKGE_STACKS_DIR: /opt/stacks
    restart: unless-stopped

Both are simple to set up. Lazydocker is marginally simpler since it’s a single binary with no configuration.

Performance and Resource Usage

Lazydocker uses ~10-20 MB of RAM and runs only when you invoke it — zero overhead when not in use. Dockge runs continuously as a web server, using ~50-80 MB of RAM. Neither puts meaningful load on a server.

Community and Support

Lazydocker has 40K+ GitHub stars and is a well-known DevOps tool. Development is steady with periodic releases (latest v0.24.4). The broader “lazy” tool ecosystem (lazygit, lazydocker) has a strong following.

Dockge has 15K+ GitHub stars and benefits from Louis Lam’s reputation (Uptime Kuma has 65K+ stars). However, the last release was v1.5.0 in March 2025 — development has slowed. The tool is stable and functional, but don’t expect frequent new features.

Use Cases

Choose Lazydocker If…

• You primarily manage your server via SSH
• You want zero always-running overhead
• You need quick container monitoring and log viewing
• You don’t want to expose another web port
• You’re comfortable with terminal interfaces

Choose Dockge If…

• You want to manage compose stacks from a browser
• You need to create and edit compose files visually
• You want to share access with other household members
• You prefer a persistent dashboard that’s always available
• You want real-time terminal access through the browser

Final Verdict

For monitoring and quick container management over SSH, Lazydocker is unbeatable — lightweight, zero config, no exposed ports. For managing Docker Compose stacks with a visual editor and deploying from a browser, Dockge is the better tool. They complement each other well, and many self-hosters run Dockge as their primary management UI while keeping Lazydocker available for quick SSH sessions.

If you need to pick one: Dockge is more useful for day-to-day self-hosting management since most tasks involve editing and deploying compose files.

FAQ

Can I run both Lazydocker and Dockge?

Yes. Lazydocker is a standalone binary that runs on demand, so it doesn’t conflict with Dockge or any other Docker tool. There’s no reason not to have both available.

Does Lazydocker support Docker Compose?

Lazydocker can display compose project groupings and show which containers belong to which project. However, it cannot edit or create compose files — it’s read-only for compose management. Use Dockge or a text editor for that.

Is Dockge secure enough to expose to the internet?

Dockge has basic authentication, but it grants full Docker access through the socket mount. Don’t expose it to the internet without a reverse proxy with additional authentication (like Authelia or Authentik). Better yet, keep it on your local network or behind a VPN like Tailscale.

Can either tool replace Portainer?

Neither fully replaces Portainer’s feature set (multi-host management, RBAC, app templates, Kubernetes support). But for single-server Docker Compose management, Dockge covers the most common use case with a simpler interface. Lazydocker is a monitoring tool, not a management platform.

Related

• How to Set Up Lazydocker
• How to Self-Host Dockge
• Portainer vs Dockge
• Portainer vs Lazydocker
• Best Docker Management Tools
• Docker Compose Basics
• Docker Security