The statement “Docker vs Kubernetes” conveys a confrontational picture between two technologies that do not necessarily compete against each other. This is a reductive and often misleading approach. Docker can operate in isolation from Kubernetes, just as Kubernetes functions without Docker. They are not competitors and can perfectly work as a strong squad. When allied with Kubernetes, the Docker benefits, and vice versa.

The migration of applications and data to a computing environment in an efficient, fast, and secure way has become a trend for companies and organizations. The answer to this rising need depends on cloud computing and containers’ effectiveness. These technologies benefit from the Internet connectivity and ubiquity to host and compress applications and information into independent structures, revolutionizing software development. And in this context, it becomes impossible to ignore common protagonists like Docker and Kubernetes.

To better comprehend the “duel” that opposes on both sides of the ring “Docker vs. Kubernetes”, one needs to analyze the concept of container and its current relevance. Containers are a solution to a common problem programming industry has to face: running isolated software in different operating systems, security policies and computing environments, seamlessly and efficiently. Whether to transfer data from a test environment to the final production phase, or even from a specific computer or system to a cloud, containers allow the code and all its files to continue to work outside their original environment, performing a fundamental role in the day-to-day of both developers and users.

Docker and Kubernetes?

Containers are widely used in the programming world. Launched in 2013 by the homonymous company, Docker is an open-source technology and a specific format that allows you to build, store, share and run containers. This platform is an independent software that can easily be installed on any computer. Although there are other options on the market, Docker has become the great reference, enabling the automation of applications as autonomous containers that can simply run in the cloud or on a desktop, without the need to connect to a server or a computer.

Docker is a system widely used in organizations. However, coordinating and monitoring simultaneously multiple containers – tens, hundreds or even thousands – can become a huge challenge. As a result, several solutions emerged in order to create a cluster of containers that would function as a greater engine. Kubernetes stood out as “the leading option” for managing and agglutinating multiple containers.

If the Docker containers’ management in volume requires an organizational system, Kubernetes stands as the next step. Kubernetes, also known as K8s or Kube, is an open-source software as well, used by about 87% of organizations and responsible to handle containers, as well as the automation of operations. This tool offers unique features that allow you to maximize resources and run/implement containers at a greater scale, with the ability to develop applications that require various types of clustered containers, also managing and automating and optimizing them throughout the processes.

The ultimate duel Docker vs Kubernetes… or Docker Swarm vs. Kubernetes

We have been analyzing the relationship and the differences between Docker vs Kubernetes. As we have pointed out, these are different softwares that do not oppose, but complement each other. If we speak essentially in opposition, we will have to mention the Docker Swarm vs. duel. Kubernetes, which counterpoises two real competitors in its genesis. Still to be addressed in this article, the first is identically a Docker technology developed in the company’s own ecosystem which, like Kubernetes, is intended clustering containers.

Docker vs Kubernetes: a complementary relationship

While Dockers allows the development of containers, Kubernetes offers its intelligent management. We are taking big steps towards a digital society and containers are increasingly gaining importance. Both Docker and Kubernetes are active protagonists in the digital future, as cloud computing is empowering the digital transformation of companies, services and systems, but also of society in general. These technologies allow companies and institutions to be able to respond to the new challenges of this new digital age. Therefore, it is crucial to start implementing these technologies in the day-to-day activities of companies, whether small or big.