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Software · head to head

Docker vs TeamCity

Docker logo

Docker

Software

Accelerate how you build, share, and run applications

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
TeamCity logo

TeamCity

Software

JetBrains continuous integration and delivery server

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Docker shared kernel creates security vulnerabilities when containers share the same OS kernel that can bypass container isolation; TeamCity detailed pricing requires visiting a calculator and isn't transparent on the main pricing page.
  • They diverge on capability: Docker covers Container runtime, TeamCity covers Build Chains.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Docker and TeamCity actually diverge.

Attributes where Docker and TeamCity differ
AttributeDockerTeamCity
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
PlatformsLinux, macOS, Windowsweb, windows, mac, linux, api
Founded2010Unknown

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 TeamCity

  • Build Chains
  • Parallel Test Execution
  • VCS Integration
  • Build History & Analytics
  • Docker & Kubernetes Support
  • Access Control

What people use each for

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

Docker

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

TeamCity

  • Running build and test pipelines for enterprise software teamsnot Docker
  • Self-hosting CI/CD infrastructure behind a firewallnot Docker
  • Coordinating multi-stage build chains with dependenciesnot Docker
  • Scaling build capacity with additional agentsnot 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

TeamCity

  • Detailed pricing requires visiting a calculator and isn't transparent on the main pricing page.
  • Self-hosted setup and agent management require more operational overhead than fully managed CI/CD services.
  • Additional build agents and users are priced incrementally, which can add up for larger teams.
  • The UI and configuration model have a steeper learning curve compared to YAML-first CI tools.

Pricing, plan by plan

Docker

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Docker review.

TeamCity

Free
  • Free TierFree
    • Includes 3 build agents
    • 100 build configurations
    • On-premises or Cloud
  • TeamCity Cloud / On-Premises$undefined/month
    • Priced per additional build agent
    • Additional users on Cloud plans
    • Enterprise support options

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 TeamCity if

  • You need build chains.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on web, windows, mac, linux, api.
  • You also want parallel test execution.
TeamCity review

Questions people ask

Is Docker or TeamCity better?
Neither clearly leads. Docker starts at Free and TeamCity at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Docker or TeamCity?
Docker starts at Free and TeamCity at Free.
Does Docker or TeamCity run on more platforms?
Docker runs on Linux, macOS, Windows. TeamCity runs on web, windows, mac, linux, api.
Can I use Docker for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
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 TeamCity is typically brought in for.
What can Docker do that TeamCity cannot?
Docker covers Container runtime, Docker Desktop, Docker Hub, Docker Compose. TeamCity covers Build Chains, Parallel Test Execution, VCS Integration, Build History & Analytics.

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
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
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
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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