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Autoupdate vs Docker
Docker builds and runs containers; Autoupdate updates installed binaries directly.
AutoupdateAutomatically update Gitea, Drone, Caddy, Podman & more
DockerBuild, share and run containersWhich to pick
Pick Autoupdate if you want…
- Automatic updates for self-hosted tools
- Integrations with Python, Gitea or Zitadel (on Autoupdate's list, not Docker's)
Pick Docker if you want…
- Secure sandboxes for AI agents
- Container building and distribution
- A free plan to start with (Personal)
- Integrations with Docker Engine, Docker CLI or Docker Compose (on Docker's list, not Autoupdate's)
Side by side
- What it is
- Autoupdate:Autoupdate is a single binary that automatically updates self-hosted software lacking built-in update mechanisms.
- Docker:Docker provides secure containers, sandboxes, and governance for building, sharing, and running AI agents and applications.
- Best for
- Autoupdate:Automatic updates for self-hosted tools
- Docker:Secure sandboxes for AI agents
- Who it’s for
- Autoupdate:Self-hosted developers and sysadmins who manage services like Gitea, Caddy, Drone, etc.
- Docker:Developers and teams needing isolated, auditable container runtimes.
- Pricing
- Autoupdate:Paid
- Docker:Freemium
- Plans
- Autoupdate:—
- Docker:Personal $0 · Pro $11 per user/month · Team $16 per user/month · Business $24 per user/month
- Works with
- Autoupdate:Python, Gitea, Zitadel, Drone, Kanboard, Caddy, Podman, Wakapi
- Docker:Docker Engine, Docker CLI, Docker Compose, Kubernetes, Docker Hub, Docker Scout, Testcontainers Cloud
Autoupdate features
- Unified update binary. One executable handles updates for all supported software via a simple TOML config.
- TOML configuration per software. Each block defines source URL, install path, hooks and enable/disable flags.
- Pre/post-update hooks. Run custom commands before or after an update for any managed program.
- Self-update capability. Autoupdate can download and replace its own binary automatically.
- System package manager integration. Can trigger system package manager updates when enabled in the System block.
- Logging control. Configurable log file location, size, rotation and retention.
Docker features
- Docker Sandboxes. MicroVM isolation with locked-down network and filesystem for each agent session.
- Docker AI Governance. Console for policy enforcement, identity-bound audit logs and zero per-machine setup.
- Docker Hardened Images. Minimal, signed images with SLSA Level 3 provenance and continuous patching.
- Docker Desktop. Full dev loop with Engine, Kubernetes, Compose and GUI on local machines.
- Docker Build Cloud. Cloud-based build service with free trial minutes for CI/CD pipelines.
- Testcontainers Cloud. Runtime environment for container-based tests with allocated minutes per plan.
Autoupdate vs Docker FAQ
Is Autoupdate or Docker free?+
Autoupdate is paid. Docker has a free plan (Personal); paid plans start at $11/month per user (Pro).
Do Autoupdate and Docker integrate with the same tools?+
Their integration lists don't overlap: Autoupdate lists Python, Gitea, Zitadel, Drone and 6 more; Docker lists Docker Engine, Docker CLI, Docker Compose, Kubernetes and 3 more.
On DevHunt
Based on each tool's website and DevHunt data. Details may change; check the official sites.