Docker hosting
Ownkube builds the image from the Dockerfile in your GitHub or GitLab repo and runs it as a web app, worker, or scheduled job. Every web app gets a public HTTPS hostname, and a managed Postgres database is one click away. There is no cloud account or cluster to set up.
Docker hosting at a glance
- Push a repo with a Dockerfile. Ownkube builds it and reads the port from its EXPOSE line.
- Run it as a web app with a public URL, a background worker, or a cron job.
- Pay per minute for the CPU and memory the container actually uses, or pick a flat box.
- Images are built from your repo. Pulling a prebuilt image from an external registry is on the roadmap.
How to host a Docker app on Ownkube
- 1
Connect the repo
Sign in, connect GitHub or GitLab, and pick the repository. Ownkube builds from the Dockerfile in the repo.
- 2
Set the port and variables
Ownkube reads the port from EXPOSE. Add environment variables and secrets, and link a Postgres database if the app needs one.
- 3
Deploy
The build streams in the dashboard, health checks run, and the app goes live on its own *.ownkube.app hostname with HTTPS.
The step by step version, with code: How to deploy any Docker image on Ownkube.
What Docker hosting costs
Metered usage bills about $18 per vCPU and $4.50 per GiB a month, per minute. Databases run on flat boxes plus $0.25 per GB of storage. Everything draws one prepaid wallet, and unused credit never expires.
| Workload | Setup | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Small container, mostly idle | 0.1 vCPU average, 0.5 GiB held | about $4 |
| Container with Postgres | Same app + DB 0.5 box ($4) + 5 GB storage ($1.25) | about $9.30 |
| Steady API, flat price | Spark 2 box (0.5 vCPU, 1 GiB) | $10 |
Estimates for one month of continuous running. See pricing for every box and rate.
How Ownkube compares for Docker hosting
The smallest app plus a small managed Postgres on each platform, from each provider's public pricing page.
| Platform | App | Managed Postgres | Billing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ownkube | Metered at about $18 per vCPU and $4.50 per GiB a month, or a $5 Spark 1 box | From $4 a month plus $0.25 per GB | Prepaid wallet, unused credit never expires |
| Railway | Metered at about $20 per vCPU and $10 per GB a month | Runs as a metered service plus $0.15 per GB volume | Postpaid, $5 Hobby plan includes $5 of usage |
| Render | From $7 a month (0.5 CPU, 512 MB) | From $6 a month plus $0.30 per GB | Postpaid, workspace plan from $0 |
| Fly.io | From $2.19 a month (shared-cpu-1x, 256 MB) | Managed from $38 a month plus $0.28 per GB | Postpaid, pay as you go |
| Heroku | Eco $5 or Basic $7 a month | Essential-0 from $5 a month | Postpaid, per dyno |
List prices checked 2026-10-13. For a full-stack estimate, try the cost calculator.
Docker hosting questions
Something else? Email support@ownkube.io.
Can I host any Docker container on Ownkube?
Any container that serves HTTP on a port, or runs as a worker or job, will run. Ownkube builds the image from the Dockerfile in a connected GitHub or GitLab repository. Pulling a prebuilt image from Docker Hub or another registry is on the roadmap.
Do I need docker compose?
No. Each service in a compose file becomes its own deployment on Ownkube, and databases and caches are managed services you link to the app. Linking injects the connection variables, so there is no network to define.
How much does Docker hosting cost?
A small container that is mostly idle costs about $4 a month on metered pricing. With a managed Postgres database it is about $9. Usage draws a prepaid wallet: the Personal plan is $5 a month and loads $5 of credit, and unused credit never expires.
Does the container keep running when nobody uses it?
Web apps can sleep when idle and wake on the next request, and a sleeping app bills no CPU or memory. Workers and apps without a public hostname stay up all the time.
More hosting guides
Host your Docker app
Push the repo and get a live HTTPS URL. No cloud account to set up.