Best Web-Based Container Engines of 2025

Google Cloud Run offers compatibility with container orchestration platforms such as Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE), facilitating efficient deployment and oversight of container-based applications on a large scale. By leveraging GKE, users can oversee their Kubernetes clusters and connect them with Cloud Run, which allows for improved deployment options for containerized services. While Cloud Run simplifies the complexities of Kubernetes management, it serves as a robust engine that empowers developers to incorporate containers into their application deployment workflows. New customers can take advantage of $300 in free credits to investigate how Cloud Run works alongside container orchestration tools, making application management more effective and streamlined. This integration is especially advantageous for teams looking to harness Kubernetes features without the burden of direct cluster management. Cloud Run simplifies the deployment, management, and scaling of containerized workloads, requiring minimal manual setup.

Docker streamlines tedious configuration processes and is utilized across the entire development lifecycle, facilitating swift, simple, and portable application creation on both desktop and cloud platforms. Its all-encompassing platform features user interfaces, command-line tools, application programming interfaces, and security measures designed to function cohesively throughout the application delivery process. Jumpstart your programming efforts by utilizing Docker images to craft your own distinct applications on both Windows and Mac systems. With Docker Compose, you can build multi-container applications effortlessly. Furthermore, it seamlessly integrates with tools you already use in your development workflow, such as VS Code, CircleCI, and GitHub. You can package your applications as portable container images, ensuring they operate uniformly across various environments, from on-premises Kubernetes to AWS ECS, Azure ACI, Google GKE, and beyond. Additionally, Docker provides access to trusted content, including official Docker images and those from verified publishers, ensuring quality and reliability in your application development journey. This versatility and integration make Docker an invaluable asset for developers aiming to enhance their productivity and efficiency.

Kubernetes serves as a powerful foundation for transformative ideas. It enables developers to innovate and deliver projects more rapidly through the premier hybrid cloud and enterprise container solution. Red Hat OpenShift simplifies the process with automated installations, updates, and comprehensive lifecycle management across the entire container ecosystem, encompassing the operating system, Kubernetes, cluster services, and applications on any cloud platform. This service allows teams to operate with speed, flexibility, assurance, and a variety of options. You can code in production mode wherever you prefer to create, enabling a return to meaningful work. Emphasizing security at all stages of the container framework and application lifecycle, Red Hat OpenShift provides robust, long-term enterprise support from a leading contributor to Kubernetes and open-source technology. It is capable of handling the most demanding workloads, including AI/ML, Java, data analytics, databases, and more. Furthermore, it streamlines deployment and lifecycle management through a wide array of technology partners, ensuring that your operational needs are met seamlessly. This integration of capabilities fosters an environment where innovation can thrive without compromise.

Ambassador Edge Stack, a Kubernetes-native API Gateway, provides simplicity, security, and scalability for some of the largest Kubernetes infrastructures in the world. Ambassador Edge Stack makes it easy to secure microservices with a complete set of security functionality including automatic TLS, authentication and rate limiting. WAF integration is also available. Fine-grained access control is also possible. The API Gateway is a Kubernetes-based ingress controller that supports a wide range of protocols, including gRPC, gRPC Web, TLS termination, and traffic management controls to ensure resource availability.

Cloud Foundry simplifies and accelerates the processes of building, testing, deploying, and scaling applications while offering a variety of cloud options, developer frameworks, and application services. As an open-source initiative, it can be accessed through numerous private cloud distributions as well as public cloud services. Featuring a container-based architecture, Cloud Foundry supports applications written in multiple programming languages. You can deploy applications to Cloud Foundry with your current tools and without needing to alter the code. Additionally, CF BOSH allows you to create, deploy, and manage high-availability Kubernetes clusters across any cloud environment. By separating applications from the underlying infrastructure, users have the flexibility to determine the optimal hosting solutions for their workloads—be it on-premises, public clouds, or managed infrastructures—and can relocate these workloads swiftly, typically within minutes, without any modifications to the applications themselves. This level of flexibility enables businesses to adapt quickly to changing needs and optimize resource usage effectively.

Mesos operates on principles similar to those of the Linux kernel, yet it functions at a different abstraction level. This Mesos kernel is deployed on each machine and offers APIs for managing resources and scheduling tasks for applications like Hadoop, Spark, Kafka, and Elasticsearch across entire cloud infrastructures and data centers. It includes native capabilities for launching containers using Docker and AppC images. Additionally, it allows both cloud-native and legacy applications to coexist within the same cluster through customizable scheduling policies. Developers can utilize HTTP APIs to create new distributed applications, manage the cluster, and carry out monitoring tasks. Furthermore, Mesos features an integrated Web UI that allows users to observe the cluster's status and navigate through container sandboxes efficiently. Overall, Mesos provides a versatile and powerful framework for managing diverse workloads in modern computing environments.

Mirantis Kubernetes Engine (formerly Docker Enterprise) gives you the power to build, run, and scale cloud native applications—the way that works for you. Increase developer efficiency and release frequency while reducing cost. Deploy Kubernetes and Swarm clusters out of the box and manage them via API, CLI, or web interface. Kubernetes, Swarm, or both Different apps—and different teams—have different container orchestration needs. Use Kubernetes, Swarm, or both depending on your specific requirements. Simplified cluster management Get up and running right out of the box—then manage clusters easily and apply updates with zero downtime using a simple web UI, CLI, or API. Integrated role-based access control (RBAC) Fine-grained security access control across your platform ensures effective separation of duties, and helps drive a security strategy built on the principle of least privilege. Identity management Easily integrate with your existing identity management solution and enable two-factor authentication to provide peace of mind that only authorized users are accessing your platform. Mirantis Kubernetes Engine works with Mirantis Container Runtime and Mirantis Secure Registry to provide security compliance.

Oracle's Container Engine for Kubernetes (OKE) serves as a managed container orchestration solution that significantly minimizes both the time and expenses associated with developing contemporary cloud-native applications. In a departure from many competitors, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure offers OKE as a complimentary service that operates on high-performance and cost-efficient compute shapes. DevOps teams benefit from the ability to utilize unaltered, open-source Kubernetes, enhancing application workload portability while streamlining operations through automated updates and patch management. Users can initiate the deployment of Kubernetes clusters along with essential components like virtual cloud networks, internet gateways, and NAT gateways with just a single click. Furthermore, the platform allows for the automation of Kubernetes tasks via a web-based REST API and a command-line interface (CLI), covering all aspects from cluster creation to scaling and maintenance. Notably, Oracle does not impose any fees for managing clusters, making it an attractive option for developers. Additionally, users can effortlessly and swiftly upgrade their container clusters without experiencing any downtime, ensuring they remain aligned with the latest stable Kubernetes version. This combination of features positions Oracle's offering as a robust solution for organizations looking to optimize their cloud-native development processes.

MicroK8s offers a lightweight, low-ops Kubernetes solution tailored for developers working with cloud environments, clusters, workstations, Edge, and IoT devices. It intelligently selects the optimal nodes for the Kubernetes datastore and seamlessly promotes another node if a database node goes offline, ensuring no administrative intervention is required for robust edge deployments. With its compact design and user-friendly defaults, MicroK8s is designed to operate effectively right out of the box, making installation, upgrades, and security management straightforward and efficient. Ideal for micro clouds and edge computing, it provides full enterprise support without a subscription, with the option of 24/7 assistance and a decade of security maintenance. Whether deployed under cell towers, on race cars, in satellites, or within everyday appliances, MicroK8s guarantees the complete Kubernetes experience across IoT and micro clouds. Its fully containerized deployment ensures reliable operations, complemented by compressed over-the-air updates. MicroK8s automatically applies security updates by default, though users can choose to defer them if desired, and upgrading to the latest version of Kubernetes is just a single command away, making the process incredibly simple and hassle-free. This combination of ease of use and robust functionality positions MicroK8s as an invaluable tool for modern developers.

Experience effortless migration of your existing VM workloads with just one click, enabling seamless application mobility across on-premises and cloud environments. Why limit yourself to a one-directional cloud migration when you can enjoy ongoing mobility? Transition your workloads from on-premises to the cloud, between different cloud providers, or back again with ease. Choose your cloud strategy according to your needs. For effective business continuity, a multi-cloud strategy and application mobility are essential. Say goodbye to protracted and costly VM migration projects; Instashift offers a solution that automates the process at the click of a button. There’s no requirement for complicated techniques—migrate your VMs along with their applications, databases, and states effortlessly. Your applications can enjoy continuous mobility, allowing for quick relocations to the cloud or back to on-premises with a simple click. If you have thousands of VMs to transfer, Instashift provides a seamless automated solution tailored for you. This innovative platform serves sovereign and emerging cloud providers, equipping them with the same capabilities and flexibility that users have come to expect from leading public cloud services, ensuring that you stay ahead in the evolving digital landscape.

System administration presents numerous challenges, leading to the development of various tools designed to simplify the administrator's responsibilities. These tools significantly improve the processes of system installation, configuration, and ongoing maintenance. Among these tools, jails stand out as a means to bolster the security of a FreeBSD system. Since their introduction in FreeBSD 4.X, jails have seen continuous enhancements in terms of functionality, performance, dependability, and security. They expand upon the chroot(2) concept, which allows for the modification of a process's root directory, thus creating a contained environment that operates independently from the main system. Unlike traditional chroot environments, which merely restrict access to specific sections of the file system, jails provide a more robust isolation, ensuring that the processes within them do not share system resources, users, or running processes with the host system. This added layer of separation significantly enhances the overall security and stability of the FreeBSD operating environment.

WebSphere Hybrid Edition offers a comprehensive and adaptable solution for the deployment of WebSphere application servers, empowering organizations to fulfill both their present and future needs. This solution facilitates the optimization of existing WebSphere licenses, the modernization of current applications, and the development of new cloud-native Java EE applications. It serves as a unified platform for running, enhancing, and creating innovative Java applications. By utilizing tools like IBM Cloud® Transformation Advisor and IBM Mono2Micro, you can evaluate your applications' readiness for the cloud, consider containerization and microservices options, and receive support in modifying your code. Take advantage of the all-in-one IBM WebSphere Hybrid Edition to discover and unlock its runtime and modernization capabilities for your applications. Additionally, assess which WebSphere applications can transition to containers for immediate cost savings and efficiency. By proactively managing expenses, improvements, and security measures throughout the application lifecycle, organizations can ensure sustained success in their digital transformation efforts. Ultimately, WebSphere Hybrid Edition not only streamlines the application development process but also enhances the overall agility of an organization’s IT landscape.

Cloudfleet provides a Kubernetes experience that spans from datacenters to the cloud and edge, ensuring it meets its intended purpose. With just-in-time infrastructure, automated updates, and sophisticated permissions management, users can effortlessly oversee their clusters through a unified interface. As a comprehensive multi-cloud and hybrid Kubernetes solution, Cloudfleet streamlines the setup of your infrastructure by enabling automatic server provisioning across both on-premises settings and a dozen different cloud service providers, enhancing efficiency and flexibility for your operations. This approach not only minimizes the complexity of managing diverse environments but also empowers users to focus more on their core objectives.

You can accelerate your development by using a storage platform that integrates with Kubernetes. While you focus on running your application we ensure that you have the persistent volumes you need to give you the stability and scale you require. Integrating stateful storage into Kubernetes will simplify your app modernization process and increase efficiency. You can run your database or any other persistent workload in a Kubernetes-based environment without worrying about managing the storage layer. Ondat allows you to provide a consistent storage layer across all platforms. We provide persistent volumes that allow you to run your own databases, without having to pay for expensive hosted options. Kubernetes data layer management is yours to take back. Kubernetes-native storage that supports dynamic provisioning. It works exactly as it should. API-driven, tight integration to your containerized applications.