Why Use a PaaS on Your Breeze?
A Platform-as-a-Service layer simplifies application deployment by abstracting away server configuration, container orchestration, and SSL management. Instead of manually setting up Nginx, Docker, and certificates for each app, a PaaS handles it all. Here is how the top open-source options compare.
Dokku
- Resource usage: Minimal -- runs well on 1 GB RAM Breezes
- Deploy method: Git push (Heroku-style buildpacks or Dockerfiles)
- Interface: CLI only, no web dashboard
- Database plugins: Official plugins for PostgreSQL, MySQL, Redis, MongoDB
- Best for: Developers comfortable with the terminal who want a lightweight Heroku alternative
CapRover
- Resource usage: Moderate -- needs 2 GB+ RAM
- Deploy method: CLI, web dashboard, or one-click apps
- Interface: Full web dashboard with app management, monitoring, and cluster controls
- Clustering: Built-in Docker Swarm support for multi-node deployments
- Best for: Teams wanting a visual interface with easy scaling across multiple Breezes
Coolify
- Resource usage: Moderate -- needs 2 GB+ RAM
- Deploy method: Git integration, Docker Compose, or Dockerfiles
- Interface: Modern web UI with GitHub/GitLab integration
- Features: Built-in monitoring, automatic SSL, database management, and pull request previews
- Best for: Users who want a self-hosted alternative to managed deployment platforms with a polished UI
How to Choose
- Minimal resources, CLI workflow: Dokku
- Web dashboard with clustering: CapRover
- Modern UI with Git integration: Coolify
All three platforms support Docker, automatic HTTPS, and environment variable management. Start with Dokku if your Breeze has limited RAM, CapRover for multi-server deployments, or Coolify for the most streamlined developer experience.