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Hosting & Infra

AWS vs Dokku: Pricing Comparison 2026

Side-by-side pricing comparison of AWS and Dokku. See all plans, features, and costs at a glance.

Bottom line: AWS starts at $2020/mo and Dokku starts at Custom pricing. Compare all 5 pricing tiers side by side.

Last updated: March 16, 2026

Data compiled by Arthur Jacquemin
Updated March 16, 2026

AWS vs Dokku: Quick Pricing Facts

FeatureAWSDokku
Starting Price$2020/moCustom pricing
Number of Plans41
Free TierNoYes
Pricing Modelusage-basedopen-source
Annual DiscountN/AN/A

AWS and Dokku are both priced at $2020/mo, making them equally accessible Hosting & Infra tools. Together they offer 5 pricing plans with 4 features compared, so the best choice comes down to which features match your needs.

Dokku stands out with a free plan for getting started. AWS uses usage-based pricing while Dokku uses open-source pricing, which may affect your total cost at scale.

Review the detailed tier-by-tier comparison above to see exactly which features are included at each price point and find the best fit for your Hosting & Infra needs.

Pricing Plans
Tier 1
How does AWS pricing work?
Custom pricing
Start with How does AWS pricing work?
Free
$0/monthCheapest
Includes
  • Open-source PaaS
  • Docker-based
  • Self-hosted
  • Heroku buildpacks
Start with Free
Tier 2
How do you pay for AWS?
Custom pricing
Start with How do you pay for AWS?
Tier 3
Is AWS Private Pricing right for you?
Custom pricing
Start with Is AWS Private Pricing right for you?
Tier 4
Pricing for AWS products
$2020/monthCheapest
Start with Pricing for AWS products

Swipe to compare plans →

AWS

Comprehensive cloud computing platform by Amazon

View all AWS plans

Dokku

Free open-source PaaS alternative powered by Docker

View all Dokku plans
Our Pick

Dokku

Dokku offers a free plan.

Based on pricing data only. Review the full comparison below for your specific needs.

Best value: Dokku

Try Dokku free

Which Should You Choose?

Choose AWS if:

  • You need 4 pricing tiers for flexible team sizing—more options mean less overpaying for features you don't need
  • Your team needs custom enterprise pricing—AWS offers negotiated terms for large deployments
  • You prioritize AWS's user experience and interface over price (both tools are similarly priced)

Choose Dokku if:

  • You need a free plan with Open-source PaaS, Docker-based—Dokku offers no-cost access with no credit card required
  • You want more features built-in—Dokku offers 4 additional features across its plans
  • You prioritize Dokku's user experience and interface over price (both tools are similarly priced)

Dokku offers a free plan [1], eliminating the cost barrier for evaluation, while AWS requires paid subscription from the start. This gives Dokku a significant advantage for teams with budget constraints or extended trial periods. Once you outgrow Dokku's free tier, upgrading to a paid plan at approximately Custom pricing provides substantial additional functionality. Compare this pricing path against AWS's tiering starting at $2020/mo to assess total cost of ownership over 12 months. Dokku's 1 tier provide flexibility at different budgets, while AWS's 4 tiers structure may force you into higher-cost plans than necessary for your use case. If evaluation cost matters to your decision, Dokku is the obvious starting point with zero financial commitment. Use the free tier to validate core functionality before committing to paid plans from either tool.

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Frequently Asked Questions: AWS vs Dokku

How many pricing plans does AWS have vs Dokku?
AWS offers 4 pricing plans, while Dokku offers 1 plan. More plans typically means more flexibility to match your exact needs and budget.
Does AWS or Dokku offer a free plan?
Dokku offers a free plan, while AWS does not. If budget is a concern, Dokku lets you get started at no cost.
Does AWS or Dokku offer custom enterprise pricing?
AWS offers a custom-priced enterprise tier for larger teams. Dokku lists all its pricing publicly.
What pricing models do AWS and Dokku use?
AWS uses a usage-based pricing model, while Dokku uses open-source pricing. The right model depends on your team size and usage patterns.
How do AWS and Dokku compare for Hosting & Infra?
Both AWS and Dokku are Hosting & Infra tools. AWS offers 4 plans starting at $2020/mo, while Dokku offers 1 plan starting at Custom pricing. Review the feature breakdowns above to see which better fits your Hosting & Infra needs.

Sources

  1. AWS Official PricingVendor pricing page
  2. Dokku Official PricingVendor pricing page

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