Docker vs Kubernetes for Microservices
Docker and Kubernetes are two popular container orchestration technologies. While Docker is great for local development and small-scale deployment, Kubernetes offers advanced orchestration and scalability.
Understanding Kubernetes
Kubernetes (K8s) is an open-source container orchestration platform that automates deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications.
- Manages container scheduling and health
- Supports service discovery, load balancing, and auto-scaling
- Built-in support for configuration management and secrets
Key Differences: Docker Compose vs Kubernetes
| Feature | Docker Compose | Kubernetes |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Multi-container local apps | Production-grade orchestration |
| Scaling | Manual | Auto-scaling supported |
| Service Discovery | By container name | DNS-based + built-in load balancer |
| Monitoring | Manual or external | Built-in metrics + ecosystem tools |
| Best for | Development, small projects | Enterprise, cloud-native apps |
Running Docker Containers in Kubernetes
Use a Kubernetes Deployment to manage your services:
apiVersion: apps/v1
kind: Deployment
metadata:
name: user-service
spec:
replicas: 3
selector:
matchLabels:
app: user-service
template:
metadata:
labels:
app: user-service
spec:
containers:
- name: user-service
image: username/user-service:latest
ports:
- containerPort: 5000When to Choose Kubernetes?
- You need auto-scaling and self-healing
- You deploy across multiple environments/clouds
- You manage complex service dependencies
- You want a mature CI/CD ecosystem
Kubernetes is the go-to platform for large-scale, production-ready microservices. But Docker remains the preferred option for prototyping and simpler systems.