Coolify
Dub
| Feature | Coolify | Dub |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free / from $5/mo | Free / from $24/mo |
| Free Plan | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Rating | 4.5 / 5 | 4.4 / 5 |
| Best For | indie-hackers, small-teams, self-hosters, privacy-conscious-developers | marketers, creators, saas-companies, agencies |
| Founded | 2021 | 2022 |
| Git Deployments | ✓ | ✗ |
| Database Management | ✓ | ✗ |
| Auto Ssl | ✓ | ✗ |
| Backups | ✓ | ✗ |
| Monitoring | ✓ | ✗ |
| Docker Compose | ✓ | ✗ |
| Team Management | ✓ | ✓ |
| Short Links | ✗ | ✓ |
| Analytics | ✗ | ✓ |
| Qr Codes | ✗ | ✓ |
| Custom Domains | ✗ | ✓ |
| Api | ✗ | ✓ |
✓ Coolify Pros
- Self-hosted alternative to expensive PaaS platforms
- Beautiful modern UI with git-push deployments
- Manages databases, services, and apps in one place
- Automatic SSL and backups included
✗ Coolify Cons
- Self-hosting requires server management knowledge
- Newer project with occasional stability issues
- Documentation gaps for advanced configurations
✓ Dub Pros
- Open-source
- Beautiful analytics
- Custom domains
- QR code generation
✗ Dub Cons
- Limited links on free plan
- Newer platform
- Fewer integrations than Bitly
The Verdict
Coolify is built for indie hackers and small teams, with a focus on git-deployments and database-management. Dub targets marketers and creators and leads with short-links and analytics.
On pricing, Coolify is the clear winner for budget-conscious users — starting at $5/mo compared to $24/mo for Dub. That $19/mo difference adds up quickly for growing teams.
Both offer free plans, so you can test each with your real workflow before committing to a subscription.
Feature-wise, Coolify offers broader built-in capabilities (7 features vs 6), while Dub takes a more focused approach — which can mean a simpler, faster onboarding experience.
This is a genuinely close comparison. If you can, sign up for both free trials (where available) and run a one-week test with your actual team tasks before deciding.