Dokku vs Firebase
Dokku vs Firebase compared for European indie developers and small startups. Pricing, EU jurisdiction, GDPR posture — and why Runsite (an EU-registered PaaS in Frankfurt) is worth a look.
// dokku problems → runsite solutions
Sound Familiar?
Every Dokku frustration, solved.
Dokku problem
"My Dokku server rebooted and everything went down"
Dokku is single-node. One VPS failure takes all your apps, databases, and SSL certificates offline.
Runsite solution
Managed multi-node infrastructure
Your apps run on redundant infrastructure with auto-failover. No single machine can take everything down.
Dokku problem
"I spend weekends patching the OS"
Self-hosting means you're responsible for security patches, kernel updates, and disk space monitoring.
Runsite solution
Fully managed — we handle the ops
Push code, get a URL. OS updates, security patches, and monitoring are our problem, not yours.
Dokku problem
"Database backups? I forgot to set those up"
Dokku databases are plugins running on the same host. Backups require manual cron setup.
Runsite solution
Auto-backups on managed PostgreSQL
Automated daily backups with point-in-time recovery. Your data is safe without any setup on your part.
// comparison
Runsite vs Dokku
Side-by-side. No marketing fluff — just facts.
| Feature | Runsite | Dokku |
|---|---|---|
| Infrastructure | ✓ Fully managed, multi-node | Single VPS, you manage |
| High Availability | ✓ Multi-node, auto-failover | ✗ Single node = single point of failure |
| Managed PostgreSQL | ✓ From €5/mo, auto-backups | ✗ Runs on same host, manual backups |
| SSL Certificates | ✓ Automatic | Via plugin (dokku-letsencrypt) |
| Spending Limits | ✓ Hard cap + Telegram alerts | ✗ VPS bill can spike |
| Deploy from Git | ✓ | ✓ (Buildpacks) |
| Docker Support | ✓ | ✓ |
| Total Cost (small app) | €5/mo | $5-10/mo VPS + your time |
// the other side
What about Firebase?
Firebase locks you into Google's ecosystem. Runsite gives you open-source tools, EU hosting, and full data ownership.
// firebase problems → runsite solutions
Sound Familiar?
Every Firebase frustration, solved.
Firebase problem
"Firebase locks me into Google"
Firestore, Cloud Functions, Firebase Auth — proprietary services that don't work outside Google Cloud.
Runsite solution
Open standards everywhere
PostgreSQL, Docker, S3. Standard tools that work on any platform.
Firebase problem
"GDPR compliance is complicated"
Firebase requires a Google Cloud DPA, data residency configuration, and careful SDK setup for EU compliance.
Runsite solution
GDPR by default
EU entity. EU servers. No configuration needed. Compliant from day one.
Firebase problem
"Costs spike with traffic"
Firebase charges per document read/write. A viral moment can mean a massive surprise bill.
Runsite solution
Fixed pricing + spending caps
Predictable monthly bills with hard limits. Traffic spikes don't break the bank.
// comparison
Runsite vs Firebase
Side-by-side. No marketing fluff — just facts.
| Feature | Runsite | Firebase |
|---|---|---|
| Vendor Lock-in | ✓ Open standards, Docker | ✗ Proprietary SDKs |
| EU Data Centers | ✓ Frankfurt (eu-central) | ✓ europe-west regions |
| GDPR Compliance | ✓ EU entity, full compliance | Complex DPA required |
| Backend Hosting | ✓ Full containers | Cloud Functions only |
| Database | ✓ Standard PostgreSQL | Firestore (proprietary) |
| Pricing Transparency | ✓ Fixed plans | Pay-per-read/write |
// why consider runsite
Beyond Dokku and Firebase
EU PaaS for indie developers and small European startups. One region: Frankfurt.
EU-First Infrastructure
While Dokku and Firebase default to US markets, Runsite is built exclusively for European developers. Frankfurt (eu-central) region, EU entity, EU jurisdiction — no transatlantic transfers.
Real GDPR Compliance
EU-registered entity. Your data is governed by European law. No US jurisdiction, no CLOUD Act.
Predictable Pricing
No per-invocation charges, no surprise bills. Fixed plans with hard spending caps and Telegram alerts.
Common Questions
FAQ
Which is better for EU hosting, Dokku or Firebase?
Neither Dokku nor Firebase is EU-native. Both are US-headquartered and route the majority of traffic through US data centers. For genuine EU data residency, an EU-registered platform like Runsite is the safer choice — a Frankfurt (eu-central) region under EU jurisdiction, no transatlantic transfers, no CLOUD Act exposure.
Which has the better free tier, Dokku or Firebase?
Free tiers on both Dokku and Firebase change frequently and often include compute or bandwidth caps that expire after a trial period. If a permanent free tier matters, evaluate the current terms on each provider before committing.
Is Dokku or Firebase GDPR-compliant?
Both can be configured to support GDPR-compliant workloads via Data Processing Agreements (DPAs), but as US entities they remain subject to the CLOUD Act. For workloads where US jurisdiction is a hard blocker, an EU-headquartered provider is required.
What is the cheapest way to deploy a side project — Dokku or Firebase?
Pricing on both Dokku and Firebase can scale unpredictably with traffic or build minutes. Hard spending caps are not available on either platform. Predictable monthly pricing with usage caps is a differentiator to look for elsewhere.
// explore alternatives
Try the European Alternative
Skip the Dokku vs Firebase debate. Deploy on Runsite.
Start Free on Runsite →