Why You Should Use Docker Over Buildpacks

Buildpacks are widely used on Qovery for deploying applications due to their ease of setup, simplified dependency management, and ability to ensure portability and consistency across different environments. They are particularly appealing to users transitioning from Heroku or those with common tech stacks who wish to avoid the complexities of container building. However, Buildpacks present limitations including restricted flexibility, limited customization, vendor lock-in risks, and challenges with fine-grained control over container images. Users have encountered issues like failed container launches and compatibility problems due to these constraints. As an alternative, more experienced users at Qovery often turn to Docker, which, despite its initial complexity, offers greater customization and optimization capabilities. Additionally, Qovery's current integration with Buildpacks lacks certain features such as parallel deployment and ARM architecture support, making Docker a more robust choice for advanced users seeking comprehensive DevOps solutions.