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Software · head to head

Docker vs Float

Docker logo

Docker

Software

Accelerate how you build, share, and run applications

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Float logo

Float

Software

Resource management for agencies and teams

From
$6/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Docker has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Docker shared kernel creates security vulnerabilities when containers share the same OS kernel that can bypass container isolation; Float web-only platform without native desktop applications
  • They diverge on capability: Docker covers Container runtime, Float covers Resource scheduling.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Docker and Float actually diverge.

Attributes where Docker and Float differ
AttributeDockerFloat
Starting priceFree$6/month
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsLinux, macOS, WindowsWeb, Ios, Android
Founded20102011

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Docker

  • Container runtime
  • Docker Desktop
  • Docker Hub
  • Docker Compose
  • Container images
  • Dockerfile
  • Docker Swarm
  • BuildKit

Only in Float

  • Resource scheduling
  • Capacity planning
  • Time tracking
  • Project planning
  • Reports
  • Asana
  • Jira
  • Teamwork

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Docker

  • Application containerizationnot Float
  • Microservicesnot Float
  • CI/CD pipelinesnot Float
  • Development environmentsnot Float
  • Cloud migrationnot Float

Float

  • Schedulingnot Docker
  • Appointment bookingnot Docker
  • Time trackingnot Docker
  • Resource managementnot Docker
  • Team coordinationnot Docker

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Docker

  • Shared kernel creates security vulnerabilities when containers share the same OS kernel that can bypass container isolation
  • Daemon socket exposure grants full root access to the host if compromised
  • Requires careful secrets management - credentials embedded in images or environment variables are easily harvested by attackers
  • Resource management complexity - misbehaving or compromised containers can consume all resources causing denial of service
  • Orchestration complexity - Docker Swarm is less capable than Kubernetes, requiring external tools for production deployments

Float

  • Web-only platform without native desktop applications
  • No offline mode for resource planning
  • Limited reporting customization on lower-tier plans
  • No built-in payroll or invoicing features

Pricing, plan by plan

Docker

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Docker review.

Float

$6/month
  • Starter$6/month
    • Resource scheduling
    • Time off
    • Basic reports
  • Pro$10/month
    • Time tracking
    • Budget tracking
    • Advanced reports

Which should you pick?

Choose Docker if

  • You need container runtime.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, macOS, Windows.
  • You also want docker desktop.
Docker review

Choose Float if

  • You need resource scheduling.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want capacity planning.
Float review

Questions people ask

Is Docker or Float better?
Neither clearly leads. Docker starts at Free and Float at $6/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Docker or Float?
Docker has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Docker and $6/month for Float.
Does Docker or Float run on more platforms?
Docker runs on Linux, macOS, Windows. Float runs on Web, Ios, Android.
Can I use Docker for free?
Yes. Docker has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Float starts at $6/month.
What is Docker best used for?
Docker is most often used for application containerization, microservices, ci/cd pipelines, development environments. Of those, application containerization and microservices are not what Float is typically brought in for.
What can Docker do that Float cannot?
Docker covers Container runtime, Docker Desktop, Docker Hub, Docker Compose. Float covers Resource scheduling, Capacity planning, Time tracking, Project planning.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Docker: What is Docker pricing?

Docker offers a freemium model with Docker Personal free, Docker Pro at $11/user/month, Docker Team at $16/user/month, and Docker Business at $24/user/month. Each tier includes Docker Desktop, Docker Hub, and Docker Scout with different usage limits.

Source
Float: What does Float pricing start at?

Float's Starter plan begins at $7 per user per month for basic resource scheduling and capacity management. The Pro plan costs $12 per user per month with advanced features like estimates and actuals tracking.

Source
Docker: Can I use Docker in production?

Yes. Docker is used extensively in production environments. However, for container orchestration at scale, Kubernetes is typically paired with Docker to automate deployment, scaling, and management across clusters.

Source
Float: Is Float independent or backed by investors?

Float is independent and self-funded. The company is a B Corp certified since 2024 and is profitable. It has never raised venture funding and operates with a fully remote team.

Source
Docker: What are the main security concerns with Docker?

Key security risks include container breakout vulnerabilities through shared kernel exploits, daemon socket exposure that grants root access if compromised, weak isolation between containers, and credential leakage if secrets are embedded in images.

Source
Float: What platforms does Float support?

Float is a web-based platform accessible through modern browsers. It provides visual resource management, scheduling, capacity planning, time tracking, and forecasting tools.

Source
Docker: Does Docker integrate with CI/CD systems?

Yes. Docker integrates with Jenkins, GitHub, and other CI/CD systems. The typical workflow involves GitHub repositories triggering automated builds in Jenkins, which prepare Dockerfiles and push images to Docker Hub for deployment.

Source
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